Marijuana has already been legalized in a lot of states, but why does it still remain illegal in some of them? According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, marijuana is still classified as a Schedule I drug which means that it poses high abuse potential and that it has no accepted medical benefits. So far, the only thing physicians can do is to suggest it to their patients but not write it in their prescriptions.

However, CNN chief medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta believes that the drug should be legalized for its promising medical uses. While smoking too much pot can affect the body negatively, its health benefits cannot be denied. There have been many cases in how marijuana works. Here are some of the things that it can help us with.                                                                         

Treats glaucoma
Glaucoma is a common eye disease wherein there is too much pressure in the eyeball, resulting to damage optic nerve and possibly loss of vision. Marijuana works by decreasing this pressure in the eye, and this is backed by studies according to the National Eye Institute. By slowing the disease progression, marijuana can help prevent blindness in the person with glaucoma.
 
Alleviates pain
In the U.S., it is common knowledge that marijuana is known to alleviate pain. Specifically, marijuana is discovered to be more effective when it is used against neuropathic pain. This is a pain related to damage in the nerves.

Relieves nausea
According to CNN Health, marijuana is at times recommended for use against nausea as well as to increase the appetite of individuals with eating problems. This is especially seen in patients whose immune systems are suppressed due to their illness, such as those with AIDS or cancer.

Prevents epilepsy attacks
There is a kind of cannabis in Colorado known as the “Charlotte’s Web”, which is known to reduce seizures in children with epilepsy — and more families continue to move to the state. This cannabis strain is taken in the form of an oil, which is rich in the chemical known as CBD and low in another called THC — the component that is responsible for when you’re feeling “high” off the drug.

Stops the spread of cancer
A chemical found in marijuana known as the cannabidiol may keep cancer from spreading, according to researchers from California Pacific Medical Center. This chemical works by turning off the Id-1 gene, which is the gene that cancer cells reproduce more and distribute in the body than normal cells. The said researchers conducted a study and noticed that cannabidiol was able to decrease Id-1 genes and made the cancer cells less aggressive.

As with all other things, marijuana has its fair share of pros and cons. The key to keeping yourself healthy is always to take the drug moderately. While it is still illegal in some states, a marijuana drug test will help determine if you are under the influence and will need to take measures to be able to land a job. But with the number of medical benefits of marijuana, it would come as no surprise if it will be legalized sooner across nations.