In the United States, a majority of people remain unsuccessful as they attempt legalization of both medical and recreational marijuana. Recent studies show that chemical compounds in cannabis impede cancer cells from developing in the human body. The federal government and other institutions remain hesitant to adapt new legalization to this research and continue to perceive cannabis as a deadly drug. Several states have taken the initiative to assist these impaired patients by allowing them to purchase medical marijuana. Colorado and Washington have actually established laws allowing the purchase of small amounts of marijuana for recreational use.

Twenty states and the District of Columbia legalized marijuana for medical purpose that require only a doctor’s prescription. Patients undergoing chemotherapy or any neurological impairment are typically those who benefit from these laws. The comparison of the benefits and detriments of smoking marijuana remain fairly undiscovered concerning long-term effects. Due to the recent rise in popularity for researching marijuana, short-term effects can effortlessly become known by reading a medical report or study on the use of marijuana (McMullin, 2005, p. 24). Doctors diagnose patients with cancer, multiple sclerosis, anxiety, pain, glaucoma, migraines, and many other ailments to relieve them of this daily grief. Marijuana contains less toxicity than many FDA approved drugs that doctors prescribe (Drug Policy Alliance, n.d., p. 2-5). Researchers have discovered that cannabinoids in marijuana contain certain anti-carcinogens, antitumor and anticancer traits, which help to combat cancer cells in the lungs and breasts (National Cancer Institute, 2013, p. 2). These cannabinoids slow down the production of cancer cells for the patient. Carcinogens, mainly found in tobacco cigarettes, remain a primary cause of lung cancer. Medical marijuana patients obtain the privilege of smoking cannabis to contest the anguishing and tedious fight with cancer and other illnesses. Fortunately for users of marijuana, there have not been any reported cases of lung cancer or emphysema from inhaling marijuana smoke. Minor side effects from inhaling marijuana smoke or “getting high” include hunger, dry mouth, bloodshot eyes, absentmindedness, lack of depth perception, a tingling sensation along the skin, and relaxed muscles (McMullin, 2005, p. 34-35). The potency, amount consumed, and time span changes the intensity of these affects. Different “strains” of marijuana account for different effects on the user.
The federal government established certain regulations pertaining to the sale of marijuana both recreationally and medicinally. Opaque childproof locking containers remain essential for the sales of marijuana, due to the federal law requiring all marijuana and edible products to be packaged this way. The dispensary workers place the containers in a paper bag with the receipt stapled to the bag. State laws mainly preside over federal authority concerning the legalization and sales of marijuana (K. Miller, personal communication, February 1, 2014). According to the White House website, the federal government does not support the legalization of marijuana because the Federal Drug Administration has failed to recognize marijuana as a beneficial drug, individual states have the right to legalize both medicinal and recreational marijuana (The White House, n.d., p. 3). Recently, twenty states enacted laws that allow the sale of medical marijuana with a doctor’s prescription ("Medical Marijuana,” 2013, p. 5). Colorado and Washington passed bills that allow the legal transaction of recreational marijuana to citizens over the age of twenty-one (Huffington Post, 2014, p. 3). One does not have to become a legal resident of these states to buy recreational marijuana. These states rule a certain amount of dry herbs available to a customer, usually around one to two ounces ("Medical Marijuana," 2013, p. 3). Ironically, Washington D.C. also ratified a law that would permit prescribed patients to purchase medical marijuana, even though the federal government still resist the legalization of both medicinal and recreational marijuana (The White House, n.d., p. 1).

Many researchers and critics state that marijuana produces negative affects on the patients using it. Lack of motivation and drowsiness accompanies the utilization of medical marijuana (The White House, n.d., p. 1). Legalizing marijuana causes the federal government tedious work including regulating states laws and time consuming work to adjusting to the major changes. Risks include an increase of underage marijuana use and importation of unauthorized cannabis. Every new bill or initiative taken by a state trying to legalize marijuana requires many ballots and extensive rulings.

Many influential politicians and government officials deceive naïve citizens of the United States to perceive cannabis as an illicit drug as harmful as methamphetamines. The United States government supports the stance that marijuana remains addictive. Withdrawals or physical need of marijuana cannot be concluded from any reports, yet the government categorizes cannabis similar to crack cocaine, which does involve withdrawals. Side effects from smoking cannabis contain no signs of psychological addiction either, compared to any other stimulant or prescription drug ("Medical Marijuana,” 2013, p. 5-6). Independent studies conclude that marijuana does not induce any violence or aggravated behavior, unlike other legal substances, i.e., alcohol or dangerous prescription medications. Annually 2.5 million alcohol related deaths worldwide affect the lives of many families. Deaths related directly to cannabis remain nonexistent, although tabloids and other unreliable news sources paint a different picture ("Medical Marijuana,” 2013, p. 3). Unlike alcohol or many prescription drugs readily available to US citizens, no one has ever overdosed on cannabis. Yet to this day, the United States government approves detrimental prescription drugs for their gain. Police enforce the laws pertaining to cannabis resulting in 750,000 arrests in 2012. Eighty-eight percent of these arrests consist of charges of simple possession (The White House, n.d., p. 6). One would argue that a young adult possessing a small amount of marijuana should not be incarcerated for years at a time for such an insignificant crime. After a certain individual spends time in prison, his or her future aspirations become shattered due to the lack of managerial and executive positions for ex-convicts.

The United States government opposes marijuana because of their pessimistic and skeptical view of the drug, along with misinterpreted side affects, and failure to comprehend the medical benefits from the drug. Federal websites containing “research” on marijuana tend to undermine the advantages of the legalization of marijuana. The federal government should legalize cannabis because of the numerous health benefits suffering patients receive and the monetary gain from taxation, which would increase funding for our educational system. Misconstrued views on marijuana have lead to superfluous jail sentences for minor offenders that end up costing the country large sums of money to house and feed incarcerated individuals. Medical research has proven the benefits of marijuana to the quality of life for a person with a terminal or psychological illness. Further research will prove the antiquated laws must be reviewed and revised to meet the needs of individuals.