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Beto O’Rourke: Pushing for Nationwide Marijuana Legalization

As the campaigning goes underway for the 2020 elections, candidates are making their intentions clear with the citizens of the United States. One candidate, in particular, is making promises that may have a significant impact on the health of millions.

Beto O’Rourke, Democratic candidate and former El Paso congressman, is pledging to legalize the use and sale of marijuana nationwide. Marijuana is a unique plant that has proven to hold incredible health benefits. Especially for those with chronic illnesses.

Source of image: https://images.app.goo.gl/ra2xPkSsdV4aCqwE6Due to laws and regulations that have been in place for the use of Marijuana, clinical testing has been limited thus far. Within the testing that has been able to be performed, it has been proven beyond a doubt that there are some heavy benefits of Marijuana, medically.

Beyond Recreational Use

Marijuana is most famously known for the high that is produced when smoking the buds from this plant recreationally. With the 100+ components known to exist in Marijuana, CBD (cannabidiol) is one of the least controversial.

CBD has little to no high-producing components within it. Instead, it brings relief to those who suffer from ailments such as anxiety, insomnia, and chronic pain. This only hits the tip of the iceberg, as far as the medical benefits of CBD go.

Medical Benefits of Marijuana

One of the biggest and most beneficial uses of medical marijuana/CBD is its pain-relieving effects. As the opioid crisis continues to plague the nation, pain relief alternatives are needed more than ever.

Marijuana may not be potent enough for severe pain, such as post-operative pain, but it has been proven effective in managing chronic pain. Chronic pain is unfortunately present and difficult to manage in many diseases.

Individuals who suffer from chronic diseases like arthritis, Crohn’s, and Multiple Sclerosis have found relief from their chronic pain through the use of CBD. Although, the benefits of medical marijuana go beyond controlling pain. Relief from mental illnesses such as anxiety and PTSD are also experienced with Medical Marijuana.

Resources

According to UK health expert “Smoking pot caused a “complete remission” of Crohn’s disease compared to placebo in half the patients who lit up for eight weeks, according to clinical trial data to be published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.”

Writers for Harvard’s website say “Least controversial is the extract from the hemp plant known as CBD (which stands for cannabidiol) because this component of marijuana has little, if any, intoxicating properties.”

The Huff Post provided up to date information on the standing of Democratic candidate O’Rourke, and his plans for legalization of Marijuana.

“Democratic presidential hopeful Beto O’Rourke announced a broad plan Thursday for legalizing marijuana nationwide and repairing some of the injustices the so-called war on drugs has wrought in Black and brown communities.”

Conclusion

Politics aside, the legalization of Marijuana would revolutionize the way we manage pain, among many other ailments. Pain management being the top priority, as opioid addiction and sub sequential deaths occur by the dozens, week in and week out.

All of the medical possibilities of medical marijuana have yet to be unlocked as of yet. But what scientists and doctors do know is that the CBD that can be extracted from the plant has proven to be incredibly effective. Effective at managing seemingly unmanageable chronic illnesses in a safer, more effective manner.