Legalizing Marijuana: Its Impact on Healthcare in NY - Essay Sample

Introduction

There has been constant debate regarding the legalization of marijuana in the New York State. Senator Bernie Sanders and other leaders continue to advocate for the drug to be legalized citing detailed advantages. Currently, the law expunges marijuana convictions. The legalization of the drug will impact the healthcare sector in that it is used to treat certain health issues. Its uses include controlling pain, relaxing muscles, managing loss of appetite, regulating the growth of cancer cell and easing the pain in multiple sclerosis. This paper focuses on discussing the issue and its potential impact in the health care sector.

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The Issue and Its Potential Impact on Any Aspect of Healthcare

Currently, the New York State's lawmakers are considering a plan to legalize and tax cannabis. In the past, there have been policies to expunge marijuana convictions and reduce the penalty of those found with small amounts of marijuana. However, the issue is opposed by activists who claim of discrimination of the people of colour in the legalization. There are also claims of potential abuse among teenagers. The policy would ensure unrestricted use of the drug in the healthcare sector, increase the revenue through the taxes collected and end the discrimination in the conviction of those found with it.

The policy will lead to a positive impact on the health sector. It will improve the sector as it will help in treating certain conditions. Past studies show that people have used the drug to treat ailments for the past 3,000 years (Estoup, Moise-Campbell, Varma & Stewart, 2016). The drug may be used to ease chronic pain. It is used in patients who have multiple sclerosis to lessen the pain. It is also used in alleviating the effects caused by chemotherapy in cancer patients. There is evidence to show that the cannabinoids slow the growth of some types of cancer cells while killing others. Marijuana may also be used by medical practitioners to prevent issues of Alzheimer's condition. It is used in treating Glaucoma as it lowers the pressure in the inside of the eye.

Moreover, marijuana is used to promote the quality of life by controlling epileptic seizures. It does it by binding the cells in the brain that enable relaxation and excitement. It also helps in curing the Crohn's disease and reduces the symptoms (Zambiasi & Stillman, 2020). Medicinal marijuana reduces the adverse effects of curing Hepatitis C while enhancing the effectiveness of the treatment. Medical practitioners may also use it to improve the lung health of the long term tobacco users.

Additionally, legalization is associated with a positive impact on the economy. It leads to buoyant tax revenues collected by the state government. Other states have recorded an increase in taxes and fees from medical marijuana. The legalization would also lead to the generation of jobs from farmers to the distribution of the end products (Zambiasi & Stillman, 2020). Legal marijuana also contributes to the economies of scale as it helps in securing the investment opportunities in the state. Moreover, the state could save money used in enforcing the law against marijuana possession. Ethically, the drug would be used to save lives and promote the health of individuals.

However, the adverse effects of the drug in teenagers are overwhelming. The legalization would lead to potential abuse and negative reactions in teenagers as marijuana would be easily accessible. Teenagers would abuse the drug while ignoring possible health effects (Zambiasi & Stillman, 2020). The drug would therefore lead to the impairment of their cognitive abilities as they are still developing. Its abuse also leads to withdrawal symptoms, loss of memory and hallucinations.

Position on the Issue

Despite the positive potential impact, I do not support the issue. One potential effect of the legalization is the increase of teenage use due to its availability, the possibly reduced prices and its acceptance ethically. The claims of the drug having a positive impact on health will generate additional barriers in preventing teenage use as they contrast with the adverse effects caused. Research shows that marijuana use is associated with adverse reactions in teenagers (Wang, Davies, Halmo, Sass & Mistry, 2018). Most adolescents develop an addiction which causes impaired cognitive abilities. The drug causes impairment in the regions of attention and concentration. It affects impulse control and working memory. It, therefore, results in a slower response in simple tasks. Chronic marijuana use is also associated with persistent brain impairment. Recent studies show that there are cognitive deficits caused by the drug despite quitting the use (Wang, Davies, Halmo, Sass & Mistry, 2018). Furthermore, the use of marijuana potentially leads to abuse which has adverse effects. The intoxication is linked with psychosis effects that include paranoia, disorganization, and hallucination.

Therefore, I would oppose the legalization of marijuana due to its potential adverse effects. I would do it by joining the activists who are against it and advocate for its criminalization. Also, in case the legalization is enacted, there should be a proposal of licencing marijuana producers who are well trained to follow restrictions on age and intoxication (Wang, Davies, Halmo, Sass & Mistry, 2018). There should also be purchaser regulations on the amounts to avoid drug abuse.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the legal status of marijuana is rapidly shifting in the New York State, with its potential impact on health care. The use of the cannabinoids positive impact on the sector shows promise with the drug being utilized to treat multiple conditions. It also improves the economic sector. However, the adverse effects of the legalization of marijuana cannot be ignored. Public health issues are becoming relevant, including the negative effects associated with the drug. The drug leads to abuse in teenagers and affects their cognitive abilities. There should, therefore, be regulations on age, amounts and intoxication to control the abuse among teenagers.

References

Policy article retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/24/politics/bernie-sanders-marijuana-justice-plan/index.

Estoup, A. C., Moise-Campbell, C., Varma, M., & Stewart, D. G. (2016). The impact of marijuana legalization on adolescent use, consequences, and perceived risk. Substance use & misuse, 51(14), 1881-1887. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2016.1200623

Wang, G. S., Davies, S. D., Halmo, L. S., Sass, A., & Mistry, R. D. (2018). Marijuana legalization and adolescent health. Journal of Adolescent Health, 63(3), 367. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.06.018

Zambiasi, D., & Stillman, S. (2020). The Pot Rush: Is Legalized Marijuana a Positive Local Amenity? Economic Inquiry, 58(2), 667-679. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1111/ecin.12832