Medical Marijuana and How it can Help Solve the Problem of Budget Deficit

Marijuana or Cannabis plant is a green, brown or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves of the hemp plant. It is often referred to as a psychoactive drug as it has the capability to alter the workings of the brain. Illicit usage of such drug is prohibited by most countries as it can cause severe health problems and may cause crimes too. Several crimes with regards to homicide, rape and murder were widely attributed to the suspect having consumed a high dosage of Marijuana. But despite of its unwanted effects, it too can provide medicinal benefits when processed and used at the right manner.

More commonly, Marijuana is known to be an effective cure for common ailments such as headaches and menstrual cramps. Just recently, it has also been tried and tested with several severe diseases such as glaucoma, multiple sclerosis and the Tourette's syndrome. There have also been unofficial studies linking Marijuana to the cure of lung cancer. In Puerto Rico, there have been reports that a chronic smoker who also smokes pot will less likely develop lung cancer compared to chronic smokers who does not smoke pot. The medicinal value of Marijuana may be huge only that research is still needed to tap all the wonders it can do.

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter said that Marijuana may in fact help the government recover from the ills brought by the huge budget deficit. In the state of Denver, Gov. Ritter used Medical Marijuana registrations amounting to over $9 million to help the state meet a $60 million fiscal emergency. The state expects a sudden surge in registrations which could reach 150,000 by the end of the year compared to 41,000 in 2009. He sees that the government can take advantage of the huge demand for medical Marijuana to raise funds and avoid any further deficit.

A Marijuana card reportedly costs $90 per year. Several legislators and policymakers are eyeing the potential of implementing taxes and other fees for the access to Marijuana medicine in order to supplement fiscal funding. In a time of recession, the government is finding ways to save money, cut cost and generate funds to maintain stability among its resources. The medical marvels of Marijuana may indeed have a huge potential. The only problem I see is the danger it could impose if there is easy access to it. The federal government should impose policies and regulations which will create controls in order to avoid the abuse of this drug.