Should Cannabis Sativa be legalized in the UK? (Essay Sample)

Student Name Professor Course Date Should Cannabis Sativa be legalized in the UK? Cannabis sativa, commonly referred to as bhang is a herbaceous plant that is considered to be an annual plant. This plant has been used throughout history for various purposes such as industrial fiber, seed oil, and even medicine. The different parts of the plant are harvested differently and at the same time utilized for various uses. Cannabis sativa has over 120 constituent compounds which are responsible for the unique odor that the plant depicts. These compounds are mainly terpenes and sesquiterpenes which are volatile in nature. Throughout the world, countries have been legalizing marijuana (Cannabis sativa) like India, Netherlands and even Italy. Regardless, many states are still debating on whether to legalize the herb, others seeking reasons to eliminate the drug from the streets, like the United Kingdom. This paper aims to provide reasons as to why the UK should legalize Cannabis Sativa. It is indeed a waste of precious time that the police could use to arrest the appropriate criminals. Every time the police arrest bhang users, a thief or robber is busy hassling and harassing an innocent soul in the streets. The fact that the drug has not caused any harm allows it to be safely used, unlike other drugs that are sold to young adults throughout the state. Allowing the United Kingdom law enforcement to spend their time arresting crooks who are breaking the law. Among the proposed definitions of crime that exist today, crime is considered to be an activity that is seen as harmful to individual(s) (Mendick, Telegraph.co.uk.). This definition does not suit smoking bhang criminal offense. Smoking bhang does not lead to the suffrage of another person. The many times that bhang smokers have been arrested, there is usually no mention of violence in the reports. Throughout the world, as stated before, many countries have allowed the use of marijuana for their citizens for personal purposes. 25 years have passed since the Czech Republic allowed its citizens to possess small amounts of drugs for their own uses. On top of that, Switzerland introduced the medical use of heroin in 1994 (Mendick, Telegraph.co.uk.). The state controls the use of the drug, and the supply is only for certain users, not everyone. Regardless of these drugs, marijuana is the one that has shown significant changes and improvement throughout its history. For example, Uruguay legalized the use of marijuana for recreational purposes in 2013. In fact, Uruguay is the first country to legalize (not decriminalize) the drug ever since the establishment of the global drug prohibition framework in 1961 (Mendick, Telegraph.co.uk.). If many countries are willing to legalize Cannabis sativa, then there is nothing holding the UK back. Think of the benefits that the government would reap out of the safe drug. Agriculture is one of the best and reliable sources of income that many countries have come to rely on. Marijuana can also be included in the description of a cash crop considering that it is mostly for sale purposes (Grice, The Independent). The fact that the drug already has a market, it can prove to be a reliable source of income. According to research, there is no apparent relationship between the laws enforced to prevent the usage of marijuana and the consumption of the same drug (Hamilton and Monaghan, The Conversation). Following the changes that occurred in the United States of America about their law, the polls in the UK point out that many of them are for the shifts in the policies controlling the drug use. Various illegal activities have been noted throughout the state revolve around drugs considered to be illicit. The use of the drug is in no way showing no significant and visible relationship to the laws that prohibit its usage. The astonishing fact remains that the usage of the drug increases as the laws are enforced. The drug rings revolving bhang, cocaine and heroin are constantly expanding every day. Also, such drugs that are considered illegal are some of the primary products that the criminal gangs distribute and would kill to get. In the UK alone, the crime rate has been estimated to 110 total crimes per 1000 and this value has been ranked as fourth throughout the world. This value triples the crime rate of the USA. Another fact that the UK should consider regarding the legalization of marijuana is that the drug is not lethal at all (Caulkins et al. 33). In fact, research has proven that the drug has negligible negative impact on the body. Compared to other drugs whose distribution is legal like alcohol and cigarette, marijuana is safer. Unlike bhang that is a little safer, alcohol is known to bring about liver failure leading individuals to painful deaths. On the same note, continued use of cigarette is known to have detrimental effects on the body’s health. For instance, it is known to be a risk factor for the development of cancer and other terrible diseases. Therefore, the false analogy revolving the use of marijuana and its possible psychological impacts is slowly washing away as the drug is being embraced across the world. To support the fact that Cannabis sativa has no known adverse effects on health, it is important to note that the drug has been observed to have several benefits of marijuana. The herb as we know imparts a lot of advantages to its consumer. Since it is a smoked product, the common myth is that it is not good for the lungs. Regardless, a recent study provided evidence that the drug (weed) does not impede any lung functions and it increases the lung capacity. Apart from lung health, the drug is very useful in the management of lifestyle diseases like diabetes. According to a survey that was carried out by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, there was a significant correlation between the type 2 diabetes and marijuana. The most common cause of diabetes is insulin resistance and according to researchers, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient of cannabis Sativa, increases the body’s rate of insulin uptake (Mendick, Telegraph.co.uk.). Another health benefit that comes with the usage of marijuana is the fact that it leads to overall weight loss. Research has asserted that most of those people recorded to be smoking marijuana are skinnier (Hamilton and Monaghan, The Conversation). In a survey by researchers from the University of Nebraska, it was reported that the individuals who reported with the smallest waist circumference were marijuana smokers. This information can be considered to be counterintuitive because research has also indicated that those who use cannabis Sativa consume extra 600 kilocalories. The study also took into account the other variables that might impact the outcome such as age, sex, alcohol and tobacco use. But the evidence is there showing that bhang smokers end up losing weight which could allow persons with weight problems to manage their weights. More reasons that propel the legalization of marijuana in the UK is its benefits in the psychology department. Patients from this sector are usually troubled, and a drug such as marijuana can have great applications here. A study that was carried out in 2005 by researchers stipulated that persons identified to consume marijuana occasionally to daily depicted low levels of symptoms of depression. On top of that, the drug is very useful in the management of anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Research reported evidence that showed marijuana in small doses could be very helpful in relieving anxiety and ADHD symptoms. Harvard Medical School researchers found out that marijuana has sedative characteristics that are very relevant to reducing anxiety (Hamilton and Monaghan, The Conversation). Among the world’s deadliest lifestyle diseases is cancer. It is considered to be a deadly disease because it has no known cure and the world is trying its best to counter it. Cannabis sativa has been noted to have applications to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. This illegal drug has also been established to very helpful in managing some of the most aggressive types of cancer. In fact, the active compounds in marijuana have been known to stop the metastasis process in some cancers. Researchers in the UK itself found out that marijuana led to the death of cancer cells in leukemia patients. According to scientists, the compounds within marijuana turns off the gene properties of the cancer cells leading to their deaths absolving persons of cancer. Another known health benefit of this drug is that it is useful in managing migraines that don’t want to heal. It has been classified as an anti-inflammatory drug with the capabilities to relieve pain. In fact, it is considered to be several hundred more powerful than the commonly used aspirin. Marijuana or Cannabis Sativa has a lot of health benefits hence its increasing applications within the health department. Because it can be useful in managing cancer, diabetes and assists its consumers to lose extra weight, marijuana can also be helpful in the treatment of arthritis. Because of its abilities as a potent pain reliever, it is very helpful in the care for rheumatoid arthritis. According to some researchers in 2011, patients with this brand of arthritis reported less pain and better sleep as long as they consumed marijuana (Mendick, Telegraph.co.uk.). Research also stipulates that marijuana is a very useful drug in the management of multiple sclerosis. Apart from its application in treating diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, Hepatitis C, and diabetes, this drug can be used to control addiction to opiates. These are drugs that have more damage than the Cannabis Sativa hence its use in reducing the chemical dependence in drug addicts. Medical marijuana refers to the whole plant being processed and th...