Gabrielle,

You make a great case for the legalization of marijuana. However, I disagree with you on the amount of research that's been done on marijuana. On the contrary, the effects and health benefits of marijuana have been heavily researched. It has been proven to treat various medical conditions raging from anxiety, migraines, epilepsy, pain management to treating cancer. Even the American Medical Association has spoken to its benefits. Pharmaceutical companies are lobbying against the legalization of marijuana as it would great reduce their profits. They've brainwashed society into thinking it's a harmful substance. The hypocrisy is mind bogging. Big pharma produces "legalized drugs" that are made out of harmful and addicting chemicals. The result is that we're now in the middle of an opioid crisis. These "legal" drugs are not just "treating" illnesses, they're now taking lives by the dozens. When it comes to making money, the ones in power with the big bucks are the ones to that hold the cards. They're in a position to influence policy and society into believing (and doing) what they want. Until we take a stand against big pharma, things will not change. Marijuana is not only economically beneficial but it has great medical benefits as well. You brought up Colorado and the fact that it's collected $135 million in taxes. I'd also like to add that's one of the only states in the U.S. that's working off a surplus lessening their dependency on federal government funding. Marijuana takes a lot of fewer lives than opioids. It's deeply disturbing that our country can't see this. Simply because it doesn't come in the form of a pill. Sadly, most in this country can't see the big picture.

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