Cannabis saves millions of lives by providing a safer alternative
This is a statement that we’ve all heard time and time again, but it is rare that anyone expands on what that truly means, and unless you’ve experienced this reality yourself, or know someone else who has, you likely have no idea how true it is. Some take it as an assumption that cannabis can be a cure for quite literally everything, but the reality is that it’s simply a safer and healthier alternative option for people who are eventually faced with difficult choices.
Alcohol
Alcohol has long been the world's most widely accepted recreational substance next to cannabis, which might lead you to believe that it’s a completely safe choice for when you need to unwind, but the reality is that it’s not so simple. Alcohol poisoning is a very real threat that impacts thousands of people every single year, with some resulting in death, and it’s nearly impossible to determine a safe amount because it’s quite literally poison.
The human body rejects it, and those that manage to hold out and consume it long term typically end up addicted and with long-lasting conditions such as liver problems and heart disease. If you’ve made it this far, you are likely questioning the appeal of the alcohol, and it’s safety, and so you should because there is a much safer alternative out there that won’t cost you your life or cause a lifetime of struggles, and it’s cannabis.
Pharmaceutical medicine
Pharmaceutical is a term that has recently gotten a really bad rap, and though there is no way to deny the incredible benefits that science and research have provided through modern-day medicine, there are still quite a few problems that need some ironing out. Many pharmaceuticals, and in particular those intended to provide pain relief are highly addictive which has led to a global crisis that no one seems to know how to solve. Innocent patients end up hooked on drugs that they took because they believed they were safe, resulting in lifelong struggles with addiction and in many cases overdose.
Of course, for a very long time, we’ve believed that a prescription from the doctor was the only thing standing between us and pain relief, but the reality is much more complicated than that, as it’s dangerous, unpredictable, and tends to come with a host of side effects and consequences that can be devastating. Luckily, cannabis can help with that, without creating a nearly instant addiction, and without wreaking any havoc on your already injured body, and that’s just one part of how the plant can save lives.
Street drugs
Street drugs come in all different shapes, sizes colors, and toxicities, and many of them are made using pharmaceutical pain killers as a base, making them incredibly addictive. Some drugs such as heroin can instantly create an addiction with only one single-use, and the other ingredients cause health problems with things like teeth, the heart, and the skin leading to chronic conditions and unnecessary pain and suffering through broken and missing teeth, large sores, and drug addiction.
The thing is that most who fall into this trap are simply looking for a way to unwind, relax, and to get away from this reality for a moment so that they can gather themselves and come back, but they rarely make it that far before they become dependent on the toxic chemicals to feel normal. This is where cannabis could potentially save the day by offering a slightly milder effect in exchange for a much cheaper and healthier habit that isn’t nearly as damaging to our health.
Mental health issues
Now you might assume that mental health issues fall under pharmaceuticals, but the truth is that in many cases, mental health issues can be managed without them. The trouble is that there is a major taboo surrounding the condition of our mental health, and due to that judgment, a lot of people just don’t reach out to see what options are available to them. In some cases, these lost souls will use some sort of street drug instead in an attempt to gain control, but there is nothing out there that offers the same level of safety and effectiveness as cannabis which doesn’t have to be used 24 hours a day to work.
Those who find no relief can end up in terrible situations, thinking terrible thoughts that can often lead to unsavory actions, and recreational cannabis is often enough to provide relief without the cost of quality of life, and without having to seek a prescription or assistance from a professional. It’s easy to use, affordable and comes with milder effects that have less life-changing impacts on our health and our day to day lives. It may not cure everything, and it might not even be able to help a little bit with everything, but what it can do with absolute certainty is save millions of lives.
