Head: 

By: Jessica Witt

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Pot, weed, dope, dank, hippie lettuce. Whatever you call it, marijuana is one of the most commonly used drugs in the U.S. and around the world, whether it is legal in those places or not. Eight states in the U.S. along with Washington D.C. have now legalized the drug, and we could be seeing a similar proposal on Michigan’s ballot Nov. 6, 2018–a proposal that needs to be passed. 

Compare weed to its legal drug counterparts and the question as to why this harmless drug is still illegal in most places seems silly. The Center for Disease Control reports that alcohol abuse led to about 88,000 deaths and 2.5 million years of potential life lost each year from 2006–2010. And lives lost to Mary Jane abuse? Zero, according to the Washington Post. Cancers linked to tobacco use make up 40 percent of all cancer diagnoses in the U.S., per CDC.gov. And according to WebMD there are zero cancers linked to marijuana. In fact, marijuana has been proven to prevent cancer cells from spreading as well as reduce pain and nausea in chemotherapy patients, while smoking cigarettes is severely damaging to the lungs, smoking dope increases their capacity.

In addition to not being damaging or even deadly, marijuana use has been proven to tremendously help with some of the world’s harshest diseases. Harvard Medical School has found that such benefits of the drug include reducing anxiety, slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, relieving arthritis pain, soothing tremors in Parkinson’s sufferers, and helping veterans with PTSD. Alternative medicines for chronic pain sufferers are highly addictive opiates and chemical NSAID’s. Marijuana is natural, safe and non-addictive. 

Opponents of marijuana legalization claim that the drug kills brain cells and leads to lower IQ’s and cognitive impairments. This is a MYTH. The people that typically represent pot enthusiasts are portrayed as unintelligent, lazy hippies. Over time, this generalization has led to incorrect stereotyping. There have been no legitimate scientific findings in which marijuana use has been linked to a decrease in brain function. In fact, Vanderbilt University explained that a 1992 study by Slikker et. al proved this by subjecting monkeys to four to five joints per day via face-mask inhalation every day for one year. Seven months later, there was no observed change in cell size or brain function. 

Still not convinced? Consider Colorado. The state legalized recreational marijuana in 2012, and in the past year has generated almost $120 million in taxes related to cannabis–taxes related to alcohol is a much lower $38 million. With this incredible extra cash flow, the state put a hefty $16 million towards affordable housing grants and loans, and $40 million was put towards the state’s public schools, per Forbes. Legalizing weed not only creates happier and healthier individuals, but generates much needed money for high-need departments. 

Hippie lettuce isn’t just for hippies anymore. With its immense health benefits and minimal risk, the answer is clear: We must legalize dope. If harmful substances such as alcohol and tobacco are legal, there is no reason why recreational marijuana can’t join the club, too.