Ethical Issues : Weed And Medical Marijuana

Should marijuana be available for patients to use as medical treatment for their long-term illnesses? This question is not only an ethical issue concerning the use of drugs, but it could also be a serious legal issue considering that marijuana is illegal according to the federal government. Many doctors have praised the merits of using cannabis for treatments for conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, chemotherapy and cancer treatments, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV and AIDS, arthritis, anxiety, and depression. While most professionals in the medical field seem to agree on the benefits of using medicinal marijuana, there has been much division about the legal ramifications involved in prescribing and distributing this illegal product to the patients

Marijuana is composed of approximately over four hundred chemicals. According to the Mayo Clinic "Marijuana contains at least 60 chemicals called cannabinoids. Researchers are evaluating how effective some of these cannabinoids might be in controlling symptoms of certain medical conditions. For example: THC, an abbreviation for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, THC is the main component responsible for marijuana's mind-altering effect. It also may help treat signs and symptoms such as nausea and vomiting that are associated with a number of medical conditions. Cannabinol and cannabidiol, these compounds have some of the properties of THC, but cause less psychoactive effects — the high. [...]” Medical marijuana can be used to treat a variety of illnesses ranging from anxiety to more life threatening diseases like cancer.

The article describes how years of U.S. government-prevented marijuana research has resulted in a deficiency of information pertaining to the pros and cons of marijuana use. It also discusses the marijuana legalization movement in America. The article has an excerpt of Scientist Yasmin Hurd and her tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, experiments involving rats. Also the article highlights the effects that marijuana use might have on human genetics and, specifically, on adolescent development. Some of the therapeutic aspects of marijuana are also described within this article.

Patients and individuals who require the drug to function have experienced many benefits from using it. The problem lies in that medical marijuana is not legalized in many states, so patients often struggle to find a safe and reliable way to acquire the drug. Patients from an organization known as the Compassion Club, have said that "often members of the [club] tell us that their doctor has unofficially advised them to go home and smoke a joint, rather than prescribing other pharmaceutical medicines. But, most patients find it rather problematic getting the medicine from bars, streets and remote connections” (Black 1). Citizens needing the medication often resort to dangerous methods of acquiring it. Marijuana can help numerous individuals with many different types of diseases and the painful symptoms they may experience. Without the use of marijuana, patients like the son of Lester Grinspoon, whom is a Harvard medical professor, would likely face health problems that could have a terrible long term effect. Grinspoon’s son was diagnosed with leukemia and needed to undergo radiation treatment. Due to the radiation, his loss of appetite led to him eating little to nothing daily. Consequently, he was experiencing weight loss and the dangerously low caloric intake led to her son becoming more and more ill. Grinspoon said, “‘The scent or sight of food would send him into a bout of stomach convulsions.’ His mother and his son had a smoke in the parking lot before a treatment. ‘Afterwards, instead of coming home to bed, his son asked if he could go have a submarine sandwich. Dr. Grinspoon was amazed” (Black 3). Like Grinspoon’s son, pregnant women often struggle with malnutrition during pregnancy. Cannabis can also help mothers-to-be suffering from morning sickness. “Old doctors' tales to the contrary, this herb was far safer than any of the pharmaceuticals prescribed for me by

 Obedience, a common way of making ethical decisions. Generally agreeing to the patients consents, following the rules fall under this approach.

The topic of medical Marijuana brings much controversy when discussing amongst people that are for it or against it. Medical Marijuana has been the heated topic of discussion for the past few years now mainly for it’s medical benefits and the fight to decriminalize the herb.

In Carrie Shortsleeve’s article, “The Truth About Medical Marijuana”, she is writing to those who are curious about the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Doctors and Scientists everywhere have been studying the use of marijuana for years and question the medical use of it every day. Some doctors and scientists are ready for it to be legalized in their states so that they can administer the drug as soon as tomorrow. While others are 100 percent against the use of marijuana in the medical environment. In her article, Carrie Shortsleeve interviews different doctors and professors to see what their opinions or thoughts may be on the use of medical marijuana. She goes into great detail using facts and statistics on both the positive and negative uses of the drug. The motivation behind Carrie’s article is to find out answers to the questions that we all ask ourselves every day, “Is marijuana safe to use in medical terms?”, “How do you know how much to administer a patient?”, “Will it be legalized in every state?” etc. There are many ways in which medical marijuana can be used to help you, but there are also many ways where it can do more harm than good.

First, a little background. Marijuana is a plant. It can also be used interchangeably with cannabis or hemp. Marijuana has many different components within itself, but the two I 'll be referring

In discussions of owning a medical marijuana establishment, one controversial issue has been whether or not the owners of these businesses need to release their identities to the public. On one hand, a District Court judge in Northern Nevada argues “that the city must disclose the owners’ identities under the Nevada Public Records Act (Scheid, 2017).” The Public Records Act was established to ensure that government documents are readily available to the public. Moreover, under NRS §239.001 (1),(4) provides that the purpose of the chapter is to “foster democratic principles by providing members of the public with access to inspect and copy public books and records to the extent permitted by law.” Essentially, indicating that the public has

“Drugs are bad for you,” a constant reminder everyone is told from the day they are born to the day that they die. As a child one doesn’t understand why drugs are bad; he just knows not to do them. Growing up some people begin to realize: although it’s against the law some people are still going to find a way to get them. There are good and beneficial drugs, and then there are drugs that are bad and malignant. One of the commonly misunderstood benefitting drug is Marijuana. In today’s society, most children and teens are taught to believe that any drug is a bad and most drugs can be. Marijuana, in contrast, is healthier and more beneficial than what society gives it credit for.

The process by which society detects and interprets information from the external world in a utilitarian theory claims: one should always do the greatest good for the greatest number of people. When one has the motivation to reach goals for the benefit of one’s self it is known as ethical egoism. In this paper we shall consider a brief history of cannabis, the parallels of legalizing medical marijuana and prohibition of alcohol in the 1920’s with regard to ethical egoism and utilitarian theories.

Cannabinoid medicines have had a wavering reputation mainly due to its relation to the cannabis plant or marijuana, a common slang term. Marijuana is commonly used as an illicit drug in the United States. Many proponents suggest that marijuana is innocuous and may even be a beneficial medical substance. However, even after its legalization in some states, some medical practitioners and lawmakers continue to advocate against its use. Three viewpoints take on the challenge of debating this issue. Of those viewpoints is one made by Bill McCarberg who declares that cannabinoids have been proven to work, but the effects rely on the delivery route or intake of the medication. Similarly, David Bearman urges that marijuana has proved that it effectively treats several noted medical conditions, and has improved the life quality of those who are diagnosed with illnesses and diseases. In the third viewpoint, the article “Marijuana’s Dangers Makes It a Poor Candidate for Medicine” it is perceived, through various side effects, that it is a choice that may jeopardize the lives of patients.

"As indicated by a 1988 government overview, pot is the third most generally used drug used of the United States, after liquor and cigarettes. An expected 66 million individuals - or 33% of all Americans - have attempted pot; and around 12 million of them are present users."# Marijuana is an unlawful medication that is developed all through the world. It is used for restorative medications, pleasure, and things we use and see today.

For many years, marijuana has been questioned as to whether or not it should be legalized. Some of the population feel strongly that marijuana will either; raise the percentage of illegal drug use, or promote marijuana users to explore on to other drugs. However, no proof has suggested that marijuana has promoted users to feel the need for other drugs. As for the rest of the population, those who do believe in the legalization of marijuana, give reasons such as medical use for relieving people of their pain that can become so agonizing. Research has been conducted to strengthen this claim, proving that medical marijuana has helped people live their life free of pain. So, the question is, is the legalization of marijuana the right thing, the moral thing to do or will the legalization

Ethical pertains to right and wrong in conduct; Legal is permitted by the law. These definitions tie together with this article because it is an unjust law. Legalization of marijuana has quickly become a controversial issue in America today. The article explains that Marijuana is legalized in various states but it is not ethical. It states that all Americans have their own understanding on the legalization of marijuana, yet they must certainly need to have done extensive research on previous practices the American society as a whole have experienced from the illegal experience from this substance. Also, the article says that the current industry group LPs is trying to adopt a code of ethics that mandates the commitment to safety, and avoidance