The Truth About Hemp

Marijuana, made from cannabis which is made from the hemp plant has been a part of society for centuries. There are even references made about the plant in The Bible. However, the American government has deemed the hemp plant harmful and illegalized it. A study conducted by a doctor at the University of Iowa states that 70 million have tried marijuana and 11 million Americans have been arrested for cannabis related charges. With all the information gathered by research stating that marijuana is not harmful, why hasn't marijuana been legalized? The cannabis plant, which is used for medical purposes, has been used by millions of doctors around the world for millions of years. Studies have shown that over the years the hemp plant can be used for migraines, muscle spasms, asthma, chronic pain, and depression. Marijuana is not as harmful as people think it is. Marcella Copeland, a fifty year old woman was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago. To help cope with the pain and stress of chemotherapy, she started using the cannabis plant. She would inhale the smoke of about a teaspoons of marijuana before going into chemotherapy and her doctor stated that after doing this her body was more relaxed thus relaxing her muscles very much. After battling this issue for five years of her life and overcoming it, Marcella states that she will continue using the hemp plant. It is very arguable that if lawmakers would legalize the industrialization of the hemp plant in America it would allow many people to live a healthier life without prescription drugs that offered with many side effects and of course the risk of overdose. Tobacco kills more people in America than accidents, cocaine, heroin, alcohol, AIDS, and all other terminal diseased combined. Marijuana has killed none. With this proven to be true, why is hemp illegal and tobacco isn't even regulated? Hemp is a non addictive safe and effective way to deal with lots of illnesses and can even lead to a breakthrough in medicine. The cannabis plant is not only used for medicine purposes but can also be used for many things. For centuries people have used the hemp plant to make paper, sails for boats, clothing, and rope. The hemp plant can also be used as fuel this fuel can be used anyway that petroleum is used. The hemp plants can almost eliminate the use of one of our natural recourses that is depleting. Our first president Mr. George Washington planted hemp on Mount Vernon so Americans would have to depend on other countries for these viable resources. George Washington, a founder of our country understood the importance of this plant. Another point that our lawmakers fail to understand is that cannabis can also help our environment. If paper was made from cannabis less trees would have to be cut down saving forests from being destroyed. The United States constitution was written on paper made from hemp. Our government and society should spend more time in research into the hemp plant before declaring it harmful. One may understand the government’s position stating that cannabis has terrible effects on people such as an impaired judgment while driving and mental illness. But why not conduct our own research instead of going that of the Mexican government. Cannabis was not vied as harmful until the nineteen thirties when an article was written by a Mexican man stating that marijuana drove a family of five insane. This is truly a form of yellow journalism. Since then, many Americans have believed cannabis to be harmful. Current research conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health states that marijuana may actually protect brain cells. One of our greatest presidents has experimented with cannabis. Unlike the other presidents who have been accused of trying cannabis, President John F. Kennedy once told the public about his trial of cannabis. He was completely honest on the matter even if he did not condone it. In the years to come, I aver that the advocates of marijuana will overcome their oppositions. I don’t believe marijuana will be completely legalized but I believe it should at least be legalized in a regulated way or the users of it should not have to worry about jail time. I hope the American government will soon have a great understanding of all the purposes of the cannabis hemp plant. With hope, new researchers may get more grants to conduct more researches on the hemp seed which studies have shown can become a major world food. No other single plant has as much nutritional value as the cannabis hemp seed. I see great things in store for cannabis