Cannabis, or marijuana as it is popularly known, is derived from the cannabis plant. Marijuana is used for medicinal and recreational purposes around the world. It gets its psychoactive properties from tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), one of the over 480 compounds found in the plant. There are multiple ways to take marijuana. It can be smoked directly or vaporized and marijuana-infused foods and drinks have been consumed since as early as 1000 BC.

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Marijuana has gotten a bad reputation over the years and many people consider it nothing more than a drug that gets people high. Though marijuana has been around for centuries, very few people understand it in its entirety. One of the major reasons why many people vocally support calls to ban marijuana are the number of myths and misunderstandings surrounding it. The good news is that this is changing. Over the years, various studies conducted around the world have found multiple medical benefits from marijuana use and public opinion regarding marijuana has changed for the better over the last few years. The percentage of American adults who oppose marijuana legalization has sharply declined in recent years. If you are still on the fence about marijuana, here are some reasons to help you make up your mind.

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No Deaths Have Been Reported Due to Marijuana Overdose

One of the most popular marijuana myths that are still doing the rounds is that a marijuana overdose can kill a person. Nothing could be further from the truth. Recent studies shows that a person would have to consume 20,000-40,000 times the amount of THC in a joint to die due to an overdose. To date, not even a single account of death due to a marijuana overdose has been recorded.

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It is Safer Than Many Legalized Drugs

A study conducted by a team of drug experts in the UK found that marijuana has lesser side effects than many other popular drugs. Researchers found that the combined health risks posed by marijuana are much lower than that associated with alcohol and tobacco consumption. While alcohol is the direct or indirect cause of thousands of deaths around the country every year, there are no recorded cases of death from marijuana. Proponents of marijuana believe that legalizing other, more harmful, drugs but keeping marijuana criminalized destroys the credibility of valid warnings regarding the risks of substance abuse.

The risks of marijuana are low to medium. Many health experts believe that even if marijuana consumption increases to the levels of alcohol and tobacco, the adverse public health effects would be far less drastic than compared to the two substances.

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Marijuana is Not as Addictive as Many People Think

Many people wrongly think that trying marijuana once would get them hooked to the substance. This is not true and is one of the many myths surrounding marijuana. A study found marijuana dependence to be just 9-10 percent in adults. Cocaine and heroin, on the other hand, get 20 and 25 percent of their users addicted respectively. The study also found tobacco to be the most addictive substance.

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Cannabis Can Help with Insomnia

Many strains of marijuana including Blackberry Kush, Grand Daddy Purple, Herijuana, and Purple Nepal show promise in treating sleep disorders. Respondents participating in a study conducted by the National Cancer Institute reported sleeping more peacefully after ingesting a cannabis plant extract spray.

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It is Not a Gateway Drug

Many marijuana detractors claim that people who try marijuana first are bound to start using harder substances. In reality, most people who use marijuana do not go on to use other substances. A study found that people using marijuana before trying harder substances is correlation and not causation. Individuals who use hard drugs also first try alcohol and tobacco before switching to something more potent.

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Medical Benefits

Yes! You read that right. Marijuana can help alleviate symptoms associated with a number of health conditions. It is prescribed by physicians around the world to patients with nausea. It can help people with HIV/AIDS overcome poor appetite. Marijuana is known to relax muscle tension, spasms, and help manage chronic pain. Some other medical benefits of marijuana include:

• CBD may help cancer cells from spreading

• A study found that marijuana use can help control epileptic seizures

• Helps alleviate pain in multiple sclerosis

• Endocannabinoid compounds in marijuana can help ease depression symptoms

• Can help alleviate symptoms for those with Parkinson’s disease

• Can help improve cognitive performance and concentration in people with ADHD/ADD

• Endocannabinoid contains anti-inflammatories that are known to fight the brain inflammation that causes Alzheimer’s Disease

• Can help cope with pain associated with arthritis

• Helps with Crohn’s Disease

• Can help alleviate symptoms of Dravet syndrome

• Marijuana has a calming effect on the user. It helps control mood and can be used for treating kids with autism

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Economic Reasons

Here is a laundry list of economic reasons why legalizing marijuana makes sense:

More Revenue for the Government

A study conducted in 2017 found that legalizing marijuana at the federal level that year would have resulted in a generation of $131.8 billion in tax revenue to be collected between 2017 and 2025. Thanks to a reduced peak business tax rate, this estimate has fallen. However, the government would have still been able to generate $10-billion plus every year.

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Legalization Can Help Cut Law-Enforcement Costs

The federal government spends around $4 billion of dollars to enforce marijuana laws every year. Legalizing marijuana would help reduce these costs. Additionally, removing marijuana from the list of controlled substances would help reduce costs associated with court cases that go to trial.

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Job Creation

Legalizing marijuana can help create millions of jobs. Marijuana legalization will increase the demand for professionals who can coordinate with farmers, processors, retailers, and distributors. Legalization will also benefit lenders, builders who specialize in developing retail outlets, and players in any other industries that cater to the cannabis industry.

It’s only a matter of time before governments around the world realize that legalizing marijuana is the right thing to do. At Mercy Wellness, we are committed to the marijuana legalization movement. As a leading marijuana store in Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, and Rohnert Park, we have taken upon ourselves to help our community members discover the benefits of marijuana. To enquire about marijuana delivery near me, call us at (707) 795-1600.

 

UNDER CALIFORNIA LAW, THE SALE, DISTRIBUTION, MANUFACTURE AND CULTIVATION OF CANNABIS BY A STATE LICENSED OPERATOR IS LEGAL. HOWEVER, UNDER FEDERAL LAW THESE ACTIVITIES REMAIN ILLEGAL. NOTHING DISCUSSED HERE IS INTENDED TO IMPLY OTHERWISE. THE DISCUSSIONS ARE NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ANY DISCUSSION OF THE POTENTIAL MEDICAL USES AND BENEFITS OF CANNABIS OR CBD ARE INTENDED TO ENCOURAGE THE LISTENER TO DISCUSS THOSE USES WITH THE INDIVIDUAL’S MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.