Marijuana should be legalized and sold in Pennsylvania. There are claims that marijuana is a "gateway drug" that leads to the use of other illegal drugs. However, according to drugpolicy.org, marijuana is actually used as a substitute for more aggressive drugs. Legalizing it could bring down distribution of more harmful drugs. Businessinsider.com states that marijuana can help prevent epileptic seizures, according to a 2003 study. Usage can reduce anxiety and act as a sedative in low doses. The active chemical in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), can slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by slowing the formation of amyloid plaques by blocking the enzyme in the brain that produces them. Marijuana lessens the side effects from treatment from many different diseases.
Marijuana is already legalized for medical use in most states, but it should also be legalized for recreational use in Pennsylvania. The drug does have negative effects. According to drugabuse.gov, marijuana is addictive and can have long term or even permanent negative effects on the brain development of young people. There are also negative effects on the body from drugs that are already legal. Marijuana should be regulated and only sold to people who are over a certain age, just like alcohol and cigarettes. People should be able to make the decision on their own about what they put into their bodies, as long as they don't harm other people. Government regulated sale of marijuana would also increase tax revenue and decrease cost of enforcing marijuana laws.
Resources:
www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana
www.drugpolicy.org/drug-facts/10-facts-about-marijuana
www.businessinsider.com/health-benefits-of-medical-marijuana-2014-4?op=1
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