Drug Legalisation

Running head: DRUG LEGALISATION
DRUG LEGALISATION

Running head:
Introduction:
When we talk about the Cannabis, we refer to a lingering taboo associated with it. Cannabis
or Marijuana as it is commonly known have been mystic element due to its psychotropic
effect, believed medicinal benefits, its colloquial use among various cultures and recently due
to its potential use as an industrial crop. Before we indulge into a discussion regarding the
legalisation of the cannabis or medical marijuana in various forms of industrial, medical or
recreational it is important to understand what cannabis is, and what are the benefits and
disadvantages of legalising cannabis. Along with we also need to weigh the economic
benefits that cannabis might offer and whether the cannabis industry can offer a prospectus
future without causing harm or danger to the people (Wilkinson, 2013). The legalisation of
cannabis is associated with several attributes and owing to its psychotropic effect the
legalisation of the cannabis is associated with immense impacts from the society and the
government.
The growing knowledge in the industry and the scope of the plant in terms of industrial and
medicinal values, the cannabis industry is like a sleeping giant and will rise to its immense
potential in the years to come. However in order to be a lucrative industry, the issues related
to the legalisation of the plant has to be sorted out and the issues related to red tapes needs to
be sorted to optimise the fullest potential of cannabis. With more and more nations looking
into its legalisation there is a growing hope that cannabis can be utilised in its fullest without
harming or causing a damage to the society. Uruguay, South Africa and Canada legalising the
use of cannabis in different forms, the recreational use still remains in the deadlock for the
rest of the countries. This paper will examine and evaluate the various aspects of the cannabis
plant and will look into the benefits that this plant has to offer and whether the legalisation
would be beneficial or detrimental for the society as a whole (Who.int 2019).

Running head:
Cannabis and its concept:
As per the World Health Organisation, (WHO) cannabis is referred to the psychoactive
components of the plant Cannabis sativa which constitutes two different psychoactive
components the tetrahydrocannabinol or the THC and the cannabidiol or the CBD which
have various medicinal value and psychoactive effects respectively (Who.int, 2019). The
cannabis is widely cultivated and naturally grown around world with various strains being
available in the world. The WHO reports that around 2.5 percent of the global population
consumes cannabis and since the 1960s the growing cannabis use has made it a classified as a
drug.
The health impacts of Cannabis has been outlined by the WHO which states that the use of
cannabis over prolonged period of time can impair memory and cognitive skills. It can also
increase the risk of lung diseases and cancer when smoked with tobacco. The immediate
effects includes paranoia, hallucination and impairs psychomotor performances.
On the contrary to these there are claims being made that the cannabis has the potential to
cure certain ailments and the THC has certain medicinal values which still is under research
and the claims are yet to be confirmed. The medical fraternity will still require time to
completely understand the impacts of cannabis as a medicinal plant. However, the industrial
hemp or the industrial cannabis used as a fibre has a high potential to generate fibre based
products. As the BBC reports the fibre generated from the Cannabis plant has the potential to
replace the plastic and the paper industry and therefore create a greener environment (BBC
News, 2019).
The Zion Market research reports that the legal Marijuana market will be valued at $ 62,964
Million dollars while the current market of marijuana was valued at 16,710 million US