Collegiate Times

Usually the line separating a drug from a resource is a bold one. But when the subject of marijuana is discussed, the line seems to fade. Over the past century, Cannabis has been widely considered a drug, but in recent years, legislation fueled by scientific findings has fought to reverse that.

There have been significant developments in studies concerning the effects of marijuana on users’ health and the projected wealth that would result from its legalization. 

But what may be equally informative about Cannabis is its long history in the United States. Before I make my argument, allow me to place the plant outside its current social stigma.

In the mid to late 1800s, extensive efforts were made to restrict marijuana. It was added to several states’ poison lists, and in the early 1900s, it was added to the national list of poisons.

In modern day, the possession and sale of marijuana are felony offenses punishable by heavy fines and extended jail sentences. Those found guilty and incarcerated are treated the same as the heroin dealers and thieves who populate the cells around them.

But what about the time before marijuana was declared illegal? Was its growth and use always frowned upon? Surprisingly, the answer is no. According to a timeline assembled by PBS, the Virginia Assembly required hemp production in the state, and hemp was legal tender in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland.

In the modern era, there have been multiple attempts at passing national laws legalizing the possession and sale of marijuana in a controlled manner, proving to be unsuccessful. That being said, there have been significant modifications in individual states’ laws that decriminalize the possession of marijuana.

For example, California and Colorado both treat a person in possession of marijuana much like they would a person speeding, that is as long as the amount held is less than one ounce and the person in question is age 21 years or older. And patients prescribed marijuana as a medicine by a licensed doctor, in these states, are fully within the rights of the law to possess the substance.

Hemp and marijuana do have risks, but they also have market value, which appears to outweigh those risks. Because of this, the U.S. could benefit greatly from legally cultivating this resource. 

As with any drug, there are health hazards involved with marijuana abuse. Depending on how frequently it is used, marijuana can have noticeably harmful effects on the user’s brain, reducing short-term memory as well as concentration. Studies of long-term use have shown a decay of brain activity and overall performance.