Advocates of Marijuana

While marijuana is only legal in a handful of states for medical use and is currently illegal for recreational use, many advocate the use of the drug. 

Central Michigan University’s newspaper covered a 2002 debate on the subject between High Times Magazine Editor-in-Chief Steve Hager and then 25-year-veteran of the Drug Enforcement Administration Robert Stutman.

According to Central Michigan Life, Hager argued, “There is no substance on the planet that treats as many diseases and disorders as cannabis.” Hager said there are various uses for stock and seeds, it would have a positive affect on American’s prison system, and marijuana is a part of certain individuals’ culture.

According to Central Michigan Life, Stutman rebutted by saying it is the cannibanoids in marijuana that is a good medicine but according to a study by the Institute of Medicine, “smoking marijuana will never be good medicine.”

However, “I don’t think anybody should be thrown in prison for the use of any drug,” said Stutman, according to Central Michigan Life’s article. He said he is against the legalization of marijuana but is against harsh prison sentences for users.

 “I think in moderation it is safe but the fact that it gets abused when it used makes it unsafe,” said Tonnie Trosper a nursing student at Michigan State University. “ I think if you need it for medical reasons then it is okay but the system needs to be restructured so people are less able to abuse it.”

International relations major at MSU, Shivan Sharma said, “There has been no substantial proof that shows it does any kind if harm to you whatsoever compared to what legal substances like alcohol and tobacco do to people every year.” He said that while smoking marijuana may have some dangerous affects there are other ways to consume it.

“If it was legalized then people would have access to more safe ways of consuming the THC in marijuana, negating the negative effects,” said Sharma. “But smoking it isn’t even that bad for you.”

Despite the reasoning against marijuana, many of those against it still see possibilities in medical use or feel it should be decriminalized. 


Hear more from students at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUHXnv2Bd9I