DISCLAIMER: This article is merely focusing on the benefits of  the legalization of marijuana. It highlights the positive opportunities and is not promoting the consumption of marijuana.

Posttraumatic stress disorder. Chronic pain. Arthritis. Anxiety. There’s something that could help: the “devil’s flower,” or marijuana.

However, the substance is illegal. Marijuana is derived from a hemp plant, made from mostly THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (Cannabidiol). Its use has been referenced as early as 2900 BC, so this is definitely not a new topic. Recently, the stigma of marijuana has been shifting gradually as more and more studies prove the assets of the drug. It is important to consider the advantages that this substance can provide.

Some may argue that marijuana is hazardous to health. Then again, so is alcohol. And cigarettes. Even prescribed medications can arguably be deemed as dangerous.

I can understand the hesitation of legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes, but there are a lot of benefits pending through the decriminalization of the substance, especially for medical purposes.

There is a cannabis plant that is almost exactly like ordinary marijuana, but it lacks THC, which is the active ingredient in marijuana that gives the sense of euphoria and enables people to reach a high. Though it lacks THC, there is a larger amount of CBD. This strain enables medical benefits without the high.

CBD is known for being a treatment for schizophrenia, rather than using antipsychotic drugs that have a long list of negative side effects. Recent studies have also suggested that brain cells are protected through CBD. The drug can even help with anxiety without the risks connected to anti-anxiety medication.

Though this may diminish some controversy of the anti-drug war, THC does provide other medical benefits. Although “highs” are received due to THC, so are “the munchies.” Some patients need hunger, which THC can permit.

There are various ways that marijuana can be therapeutically employed. It can be used to treat glaucoma and seizure disorders. Marijuana has also proven to ease symptoms of cancer and a variety of other diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease, Systemic Lupus Erthyhematosus, and inflammatory bowel diseases.

Therapeutically, marijuana is very valuable; however, medical usage is not the only advantage. In 2005, visiting professor of Economics at Harvard University, Dr. Jeffrey A. Miron conducted a study with the help of Daniel Egan. This study focused on the funding of marijuana prohibition and was funded by The Marijuana Policy Project.

It was estimated that approximately 7.7 billion dollars in government expenses could be saved if regulation would be administered over prohibition. Also, if legalized, taxes could be imposed on the sale of marijuana. In this study, it was estimated that the tax revenue (if the tax is equated to the average tax on alcohol and tobacco) would be about 6.4 billion dollars annually.

Though many frown upon the use of marijuana just to reach a peak of euphoria, there are proven benefits of this substance. Marijuana has a lot to offer. And, honestly, I think “weed” prefer these advantages rather than being deprived of them.