7 Reasons We Need to Remove Stigmas Surrounding Cannabis
As most of you know, despite some states opening up legalization, there is still a lot of stigma surrounding cannabis and the people who use it. Even though cannabis has been used for centuries for many purposes, many people still believe that if you consume cannabis you’re lazy, uneducated, and only care about getting high. And while some of those things may be true for some people, it’s most definitely not the case for everyone. The truth is, these stigmas can be dangerous.
There are many reasons we should work to break these stigmas surrounding cannabis and start accepting that it has more use than just “getting high”. Here are seven reasons cannabis use should be more widely accepted:
Cannabis has been used for centuries.
The history of cannabis goes back for centuries and it has been used for a variety of purposes, including as medicine, in religious ceremonies, and recreation. The plant has only recently become stigmatized, and this is largely due to its criminalization in the early 20th century.
Cannabis is not dangerous.
Contrary to what the “Reefer Madness” era would have you think, cannabis is not a dangerous drug. In fact, it is far safer than many legal drugs, such as alcohol and tobacco. A large body of scientific evidence has shown that cannabis is not harmful to the average human and there are zero reported deaths proven to have been caused by cannabis overdose.
Cannabis has many potential medical benefits.
Cannabis has been shown to have a variety of potential medical benefits, including the treatment of pain, anxiety, nausea, and seizures. In recent years, a growing body of scientific evidence has emerged supporting the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes such as helping to treat cancer, and reducing the side effects of chemotherapy.
Legalization of cannabis is good for the economy
Legalization of cannabis would create jobs. The legal cannabis industry is already creating jobs in states where it is legal, such as Washington State and Colorado. If cannabis were legal nationwide, it would create even more jobs in the legal market, as well as related industries such as agriculture, retail, and tourism. Additionally, the revenue generated from legalization that comes from taxation would greatly improve other areas of the economy. We are already seeing these benefits in states who have already gone legal.
Cannabis can be used responsibly.
Like any other substance, cannabis can be used responsibly or irresponsibly. Responsible use involves using the substance in moderation and avoiding activities that may be harmful, such as driving while under the influence. Moreover, cannabis has a low risk of becoming addictive if used responsibly, unlike alcohol and opioids.
Cannabis prohibition does not work.
The war on drugs has been an abject failure, and this is especially true when it comes to cannabis. Despite decades of prohibition and billions of dollars spent on enforcement, cannabis is more widely available today than it has ever been before. Prohibition has up until now just been used as an excuse to lock away innocent people with ridiculous sentences, especially those from marginalized groups.
The legalization of cannabis allows for better regulation of the plant.
The legalization of cannabis would allow for better regulation and control of the plant. Currently, the illegal status of cannabis results in a lack of regulation, which can lead to problems such as unsafe products and underage access. If cannabis were legal, it would be subject to strict regulations that would ensure safety and prevent underage access.
Takeaway
The more we share our personal journeys with cannabis, the more we open people’s eyes and move further away from the old beliefs people hold about this wonder plant. We are making progress, but there is still a lot of work to be done to get to federal legalization. But as more and more states legalize cannabis, it becomes harder for the government to continue prohibition. The legalization of cannabis has already been shown to do so much for the economy, and people’s health and well-being, so please keep sharing your stories and talking to your friends and family about how cannabis has helped you. Thank you for helping us break these stigmas!
Thanks for reading,
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