Apart from being the first item to ever be sold on the internet, marijuana is the world’s most grown, trafficked and consumed narcotic in the world. However, even after the movements, including the world-leading branding supporting the legalisation, marijuana is still considered a Schedule I substance under federal law. However, the corporate world of cannabis doesn’t seem to be bothered, making it one of the most profitable sectors in the United States, generating approx $13.6 billion in 2019 and the figures only seem to be growing with every passing year.
Thanks to the nationwide legalisation of marijuana, investors have spotted a huge potential for immeasurable profit. With the ever-changing laws, and the big businesses growing their presence, small and local businesses can barely survive in the cannabis sector.
Despite corporate greed, medical marijuana patients do save a lot more on taxes than recreational users. So if you are looking for WV medical card online, it’s probably the best way to treat your health condition while saving a lot in West Virginia.
The value of the US cannabis industry
According to the New Frontier Data, the cannabis market in the U.S. is projected to reach $72 billion by 2030. This prediction comes at a time when cannabis is still illegal on a federal level, even though adult-use (also known as recreational) cannabis programmes have been legalised in 21 states, two territories, Washington, D.C., and 37 states that have medical marijuana laws.
The cannabis business appears prepared to continue its rapid expansion as new markets open up as cannabis legalisation campaigns spread to new states and some members of Congress call for reform and possibly federal legislation.
Corporate Greed Vs Plant’s Medicinal Properties
Cannabis, sometimes known as marijuana, has been a contentious subject for so many years. It has received appreciation for being a therapeutic plant with many health advantages, but it has also received stigma and has been outlawed as a potentially harmful medication. On one hand, some advocates have been pushing for legalisation for both medicinal and recreational purposes, on the other hand, some critics are more or less concerned about the potential threat it poses on the human body and society as a whole.
As it is known, marijuana is long known for its medical and therapeutic benefits. It has been used for so many years to provide relief from chronic pain, epilepsy, cancer-induced nausea and vomiting, multiple sclerosis, etc. The list will only grow as more research on the subject is conducted.
Wai Lu, Senior, a researcher at the University of London, has demonstrated that six cannabinoids can suppress or even kill cancer cells. Although previous research has shown that THC, the most well-known cannabinoid in marijuana, has strong anti-cancer qualities, its euphoric effects make it an unsuitable option for this use. Lu discovered many cannabinoids with the ability to either cure or prevent the spread of cancer.
Moreover, they’ve demonstrated that blending the two types of cannabis boosts its potency compared to doing it individually. Lu also said that marijuana has a lot to offer medically and by smoking it, we are not using it at its best.
However, worries about corporate greed have arisen as a result of the marijuana industry’s increasing commercialisation. Critics are concerned that businesses would put profits above patient care, and that the industry’s regulation may not be robust enough to stop this. There is concern that the plant’s therapeutic benefits might be misused for commercial gain at the expense of people who most need it.
Critics contend that despite the potential economic benefits of the marijuana sector, the hazards may exceed them. They advocate for the implementation of stringent rules by the government to make sure that businesses are held responsible for their activities and that patients receive the treatment they deserve.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, the argument concerning marijuana’s therapeutic benefits and the industry’s commercialization is nuanced. Legalising marijuana for medical use has undeniable advantages, but some issues need to be addressed regarding the corporate greed and environmental harm that surrounds it. The big business of marijuana is only going commercial marijuana in a way that is profitable to them. Unfortunately, marijuana is also not covered by medical insurance and therefore patients are left with the only option to purchase medical marijuana, hence fueling corporate greed. To protect people and the environment, the government must ensure the sector is properly controlled.