Deep in the warm, western climates of Colorado and California, a movement began in the 1990s that has proved to be one of the most controversial topics in America.

The movement has challenged boundaries that the U.S. government fought so hard to set up, and broke them down.  This movement is for the legalization of the drug, Marijuana.

Chronic, Mary Jane, Pot, Ganja; call it what you want to call it, Marijuana is one of the most illegally used drugs in our nation, and now with the legalization of recreational use in Colorado, it is steadfastly spreading it’s cultural movement towards other states.

Let’s back up a bit.  In 2000, 54% of Colorado voters approved Amendment 20 allowing the use of medicinal Marijuana by those who are given consent by the state.  For those of you who are unaware of its medical uses, Marijuana can be used to subdue pains after serious injuries or during times of illness due to its several cannabinoids.

Cannabinoids are natural chemicals found in Marijuana that activate cell receptors repressing neurotransmitter release in the brain.  Speaking like a regular human, this means that these chemicals slow down the processes occurring in the brain, giving drug users their high.  Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main chemical found in Marijuana and has been said to help a patient’s recovery process.

In recent studies at the California Pacific Medical Center, researchers have discovered that another significant cannabinoid; Cannabidiol (CBD) has proven to be more effective in its medical uses.  The researchers say that CBD shows promise for controlling the spread of metastatic breast cancer, for the chemical “turns off” the gene responsible for tumor growth in breast and other types of cancers.  These researchers have been working with cannabis cultivators to try and enhance different strains of Marijuana with more CBD, as a way to work towards a cure and a preventative for cancer.

Even with these progressive ideas favoring medicinal Marijuana research, there are still those who are still against the whole legalization to begin with.  Senior John La Mura gave some of his insights into legalization.  “I feel the only reason people want it is because it is illegal and think they are cool doing it,” he said, just before ranting about Governor Cuomo and the Democrats letting liberals run wild and free disgracing Christianity.  John is among a small minority who still sees no purpose in the legalization of Marijuana.

With the legalization of recreational use in Colorado, the idea of legalization has sprouted in several other states including New York.  In early January, Governor Andrew Cuomo declared his support for a pro-legalization campaign in our state and as expected a large amount of the public is on board for it.

Senior Chase Golding shared his support for the campaign by discussing its positive economic and social effects.  “There are more deaths due to alcohol and drunk driving than there are with Marijuana.  When was the last time you heard about someone dying while under the influence of pot?  The crime rate will drop tremendously and the economic benefits will be incredible.  In the first day alone of legalization of recreational use in Colorado, $5 million was made in tax revenue.  I highly support the legalization of Marijuana.”

The big thing that everyone who is against legalization has to realize is times are changing and with people who are being born into a time where diseases have hopes of being cured, the possibility of rebuilding the economy, and even lowering crime rates, the idea of legalizing a not so “hardcore” drug, doesn’t seem that bad.