The cannabis plant is one of the most natural substances that can be ingested into one's body. There have been no diagnosed overdoses on cannabis that have led to fatalities such as tobacco or alcohol. So far cannabis can be claimed to be safer than oranges and even water; you can overdose on vitamin C and you can even flood your system with enough water to kill yourself. However there has yet to be one death linked solely to cannabis use. Marijuana has a very low dependency rate and is less addictive than caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol by far.

Marijuana has a wide range of beneficial effects including: the amelioration of nausea and vomiting, stimulation of hunger in chemotherapy and AIDS patients, and other such conditions. Cannabis has also been shown to be effective in the treatment of depression, anxiety, glaucoma, loss of appetite, premenstrual syndrome, unintentional weightloss, insomnia, spasticity, painful conditions, neurogenic pain, movement disorders, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, migraines, fibromyalgia, and related conditions. Marijuana has also been found to relieve certain symptoms of multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries. Other studies show that cannabis use may be helpful in treating alcohol abuse, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, collagen-induced arthritis, atherosclerosis, bipolar disorder, colorectal cancer, dystonia, epilepsy, digestive diseases, gliomas, hepatitis C, Huntington's disease, leukemia, skin tumors, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Parkinson's, pruritus, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), psoriasis, sickle-cell disease, sleep apnea, and anorexia nervosa.



Many professionals in the field of medicine go even further and based on multiple studies done around the world conclude that the frequent ingestion of the cannabis plant and the chemical THC can actually improve many aspects of one's life. These studies show increased cognition and improved memory and motor skills in frequent users of cannabis.

Even if an individual does not suffer from any of the medical conditions or disorders listed above the use of cannabis can greatly improve their quality of life. Recreational marijuana users report a greater satisfaction with life, a greater sense of self, increased levels of happiness, and simply an improvement in well-being. Recreational cannabis use is also associated with improved cognition and mental capacity, greater creativity, higher frequency of philosophical and intelligent thought, and a broader perspective on issues and life in general. Improved sensory perception is also experienced. Countless people swear by the cannabis plant and its properties to improve the life of the individual.

The government decided long ago in the landmark Supreme Court Case Roe v. Wade that a woman had the right to decide whether or not to terminate her pregnancies. Does the use of medicine not fall under the same banner? Should we not be allowed to decide for ourselves whether or not we wish to ingest ourselves with a wide range of substances? It is our fundamental right as Americans to have that choice.

I cannot speak for everyone but I can speak for those that agree with my views, but I am sick and tired of being a pawn of this government. We live our lives as if we were free but we are truly bound by the whims of those corrupted officials sitting in Washington. Let's send them a message, that this country is to be governed by the people and for the people.



Even our Founding Fathers supported the cannabis plant:



"Hemp is of first necessity to the wealth & protection of the country." -Thomas Jefferson

The legalization of cannabis would be an unprecedented boost to the United States economy if Americans are willing to capitalize on this new industry that would be opened up.

Fear and greed are the only two factors hindering the movement of legalization. Better yet end the prohibition of a mere plant. Tobacco companies, alcohol companies, big-pharma, and large textile companies are but a few that oppose the end of prohibition on cannabis. Why you might ask? Greed.

The War on Drugs is a pathetic excuse of an attempt to fix a system that was broken long ago. ONDCP's (Office of National Drug Control Policy) view is that "drug addiction is a disease that can be successfully prevented and treated... making drugs more available will make it harder to keep our communities healthy and safe."(2011) When in fact the exact opposite is true. To truly keep our communities safe and healthy we must halt this misplaced fear of a mere plant and end prohibition allowing the multi-billion dollar industry that would be created by the cannabis market to exist and prosper. By ending the prohibition of the cannabis plant the racial imbalance in the country's jails and prisons would be quickly shifted towards a more just ratio. Minorties and those in rough socio-economic situations are most likely to be arrested for cannabis use or possession. Another Thomas Jefferson quote comes to mind: "If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so." Is it not our duty as citizens to correct the mistakes of our government?

I find it ironic that the colors red, white, and blue represent the freedom we supposedly have in this country until they are flashing behind you. Cannabis is not only safer for your body than alcohol, nicotine, or even caffeine but it is criminalized to the point where American citizens are sent to prison unjustly. The communities of people that support the use of this plant are non-violent and harm no one by the use of marijuana, not even themselves according to recent studies. People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.

So I am urging The United States Congress to legalize the cultivation, possession, use, sale and distribution of marijuana in all facets and respects. I am urging President Obama to sign into law any bills that are laid on his desk regarding the end of prohibition of cannabis. This essentially turns the cannabis plant into another cash crop and consumer product that will be regulated through the Food and Drug Administration in similar processes no different than corn or beef. The private sector should have free reign over the cannabis industry, reserving the rights to construct, open, and operate marijuana grow operations (“Groweries”) and dispensaries.

Thank you.

-Cameron Wheeler