Marijuana is a Mexican slang term that started back in the 1930's around the Refer Madness Movement, which specifically refers to the medicine part of hemp often used by the Mexican solders. Marijuana, also known as hemp, cannabis sativa, herb, pot, weed, Mary Jane, reefer, guanja, dank, buds, nugs, greens, grass, hashish, wacky tobacky, has been a highly debated topic since the first president of the United States. George Washington was one of the many Presidents that set aside a part of his property to produce this multi-purpose plant. This plant has several commercial and medical benefits.
The list for commercial benefits of marijuana is endless. I will mention just a few that I feel would make a difference in our economy if marijuana was legal like it was before 1937. One reason that it should be legal is for nutrition purposes. In our society there are many people that lack the proper nutrition for a healthy diet.
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Hemp stalk Slovenščina: Konopljino stebloOne group of people would be vegetarians and vegans. Since this group of people lack the protein of meat, they need an alternate source for protein. The marijuana seed has a rich source of protein. This protein resembles the protein found in the human blood, which makes it extremely easy to digest. The serving amount suggested would be a handful of hemp seeds per day to receive the proper nutrition for an adult. The hemp seed also produces essential fatty oils, which is the only one of its kind. This oil, which is low in saturated fats has been proven to reduce the risk of heart disease. Experiments that have been conducted on birds shows a longer life when hemp seeds were used in their diet.
One factor in producing food is growing it. When farming crops there are several requirements to yield quantity and quality. Pesticides are a high cost in farming and are used on virtually every type of crop; however, some plants require more than others. Marijuana requires few pesticides because the plant is resistant to most insects and funguses. Many types of crops drain the soil of crucial nutrients; marijuana, on the other hand, drops its leaves and grows deep roots, which provide needed minerals and nitrogen to the soil allowing it to be grown year after year without depleting the soil. Other crops which are in competition with hemp such as cotton, require massive amounts of pesticides. They also drain the soil of valuable nutrients. Hemp is also stronger and lasts much longer than cotton. The fiber of hemp is found in the stalk of the plant, and can be used in almost any type of cloth. For this reason, the first pair of Levi blue jeans was made out of hemp. Cotton is only one of the many examples where hemp is a superior crop.
The fiber in hemp can also be used to produce paper. Fiber paper was the first kind of paper to be used in ancient China. Our paper today is made out of trees which are slow to renew, where as marijuana is a quick renewable resource. The paper from hemp is stronger and lasts longer than paper that is produced from trees. It also requires less chemical treatment. With the worldwide farming community, cost of production from the seed to the finished product is a huge factor.
The second reason many Americans feel that marijuana should be legalized is for medical purposes. Many states have recently passed legalization of hemp for medical purposes, which is big improvement from just ten years ago. Marijuana has been used and medically prescribed in almost every known book written by ancient scholars and wise men. Hemp was often referred to as a panacea (cure-all). Hemp is known to commonly treat patients for multiple sclerosis, cancer, AIDS, glaucoma, depression, epilepsy, migraine headaches, asthma, pruritis, sclerodoma, menstrual discomfort, severe pain, dystonia and many others. There are many forms to intake the sixty chemicals that are found in marijuana that have medical uses. They can be smoked, put into butter, fat-oil, alcohol, lotion, tea, and many other ways.
In conclusion, it is obvious why marijuana should be legal. Looking at both commercial and medical reasons, it would help solve world hunger and also help cut medical expenses. I believe the United States is starting to take the right steps in using this natural resource that has been put on this planet for us. This makes hemp an excellent cash crop.
English: The Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijua...
English: Hemp being harvested. Uploaded by the pho...
Gillian McKeith's organic shelled hemp seeds in a ...