Marijuana is legalized in 20 U.S. states already, so why not here in West Virginia? Certainly, there may be some misgivings associated with marijuana legalization, including decline in IQ (up to 8 points if prolonged use started in adolescence), lowered reaction time, severe anxiety, including fear that one is being watched or followed (paranoia), impaired thinking, and the ability to learn and perform complex tasks (Drug-free World).

Outweighing these fears, however, are the positive aspects of marijuana use. According to Sumaiya Kabir of Lifehack, these include: slowing and stopping cancer cells from spreading, preventing Alzheimer’s, treating glaucoma, relieving arthritis, controlling epileptic seizures, easing the pain of multiple sclerosis, soothing Parkinson’s tremors, helping Crohn’s disease, lessening side effects from Hepatitis C treatment, decreasing anxiety, and protecting the brain after a stroke.

That marijuana has scientific properties that can relieve the pain and struggles of people with extraordinary illnesses is an undeniable truth proved by a wide body of research. Moreover, marijuana is no longer an unusual medicine. There are many instances when marijuana is the last hope for unwell people–the sole medicine that relieves aches, anorexia, or other disagreeable signs of diseases. For more information, please research Ed Coghlan’s article “A Story of How Medical Cannabis Transformed One Patient’s Life” in the National Pain Report.