The Benefits of Medical Marijuana and CBD

Since 1996, marijuana has been medically legal in the state of California under the Compassionate Use Act. As of November 8, 2016, marijuana became recreationally legal in the state of California. Anyone 21 and over, or a person with a medical recommendation from a doctor can enter a dispensary and purchase any product containing marijuana. As of 2022, 39 states including D.C. have legalized the use of medical marijuana. Only 18 states including D.C. have legalized recreational marijuana.

Recently, on April 1, 2022, The U.S. House of Representatives passed the MORE Act, a bill that would end federal prohibition if passed. On April 20, 2022, California lawmakers have a scheduled hearing that could protect the rights of employees and their use of marijuana. Ending prohibition on marijuana would positively improve the situation on the War on Drugs. According to an article on Forbes, Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic Caucus chair states, "[...] (marijuana) It has ruined individual lives, ruined families and ruined communities, particularly in communities of color, [...] It’s time to end the federal cannabis prohibition.” (Yakowicz, 2022)

The two main components of marijuana are THC and CBD.

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the psychoactive component in marijuana. This is what makes people too paranoid when they smoke too much...

CBD (cannabidiol) is the essential component to medical marijuana. CBD contains all the healing properties in medical marijuana and contains no psychoactive side affects. It has been proven that CBD helps cure pain, helps people suffering from depression, anxiety and other mental health issues, and has helped cure tumors! CBD is also helpful and SAFE remedy for pregnant women suffering from morning sickness.

In a study conducted by Harvard, researchers found that "[...] CBD has been touted for a wide variety of health issues, but the strongest scientific evidence is for its effectiveness in treating some of the cruelest childhood epilepsy syndromes, such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), which typically don’t respond to antiseizure medications. In numerous studies, CBD was able to reduce the number of seizures, and, in some cases, stop them altogether" (Grinspoon, 2021).

Marijuana and CBD are safer and healthier alternatives to many over the counter medication and prescription drugs. Marijuana has never killed anyone. According to an article, "[...], the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration drug sheet for marijuana reports that no deaths from marijuana overdose have ever been recorded" (Cariz, 2016)

I believe that employers should not test employees for weed. As someone who struggles with anxiety, depression, and GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease) I personally believe it is unreasonable for employers to test for THC when it is legal in the state of California medically and recreationally. 

As someone who works in a medical marijuana dispensary, I see a range of customers come in for medical and recreational reasons. The customers range from ages 18 (with a medical card) to even as old as 80!

Works Cited

• https://www.forbes.com/sites/willyakowicz/2022/04/01/us-house-of-representatives-pass-federal-cannabis-legalization-bill-more-act/?sh=1c21524566d7
• https://saclaw.org/articles/marijuana-laws-in-california-edl/#:~:text=Medical%20use%20of%20marijuana%2Fcannabis,(H%26S)%20%C2%A7%2011362.5).
• https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/california-lawmakers-aim-to-protect-workers-off-hours-pot-use
• https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476
• https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2016/aug/16/gary-johnson/gary-johnson-claims-marijuana-cant-kill-and-prescr/