Marijuana Medical Benefits

Marijuana has a deep history in America, being in the Americas since 1545 when the Spanish brought it over with them. Later, it was again brought over with the English colonists to Jamestown. Here it was used as a large cash crop similar to tobacco and was used as a major source of fiber. Later in the 1890s, a similar plant, hemp, became another large cash crop in the southern half of the US even replacing cotton. Around this time marijuana was also used in medications, although it was not on the scale of cocaine and opium, being used to treat everything from labor pains to rheumatism, “any disorder of the extremities or back, characterized by pain and stiffness” (The Definition of Rheumatism). Further on, in the 1920s marijuana became increasingly more popular with jazz musicians and even special cafes/clubs opening for its use. It was not until the 1930s when a campaign conducted by the Federal Bureau of Narcotics whom labeled marijuana as the harmful “gateway drug” it is seen as today. Though

The legalization of marijuana has been a debated subject in America since the 1970's. The pro-marijuana society in America has made claims as to how marijuana can help cure or lessen the effect of some diseases and that by legalizing the drug; the use of pot will actually decline. The fact of the matter is that marijuana is a drug that can be placed into a similar category as cocaine or heroine. Like these other drugs, pot (marijuana) smoking carries with it serious side effects that can effect the user forever, and sometimes-even cause death. Marijuana was first cultivated in America during the colonial time period and was used as a fiber for rope and even clothing. The plant was not used for its psychoactive properties until 1910,

Cannabis has been used as an agent for achieving enlightenment throughout all of time. It is described in an Oriental medical compendium traditionally considered to date form 2737 B.C. It has a long history of being used as a medicinal herb. Its origins spread from China to India and then over into North Africa and could be found in Europe as early as 500 A.D. It was a major crop in the colonial North America. It was extensively grown during WWII.

Medical marijuana, also known as cannabis, is a controversial topic because many find it beneficial as others find the usage to be recreational. Throughout the years, medical marijuana has gone through periods of times in which it was legal and illegal. Over the years laws have been developed in order to try and regulate the usage of the drug. Studies have shown many the benefits of treating diseases and symptoms. Today it is used in treatment with many different diseases and disorders such as cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, and multiple sclerosis. As medical marijuana has different species and uses of the product, it is important to depict where the drug can be used for treatment. The usage of this drug enables patients to have a more positive and livable outcome with treatments.

Marijuana is a good source of fiber and has been used for decades. Marijuana was first used in China as a medical treatment. It was used in North America for fiber. Marijuana was legal for medical uses from 1860 until 1942. It is known as a gateway drug. Many people believe that “marijuana is a powerful addictive drug that would lead users into narcotics” (“infoplease”). It is a proven fact that marijuana is a physical addiction not a mental addiction. Many people believe that marijuana leads

Jacqueline Patterson was born with cerebral palsy. This condition makes her experience stuttering, crippling pain, and muscle imbalance. She has four children and was living in Kansas City, Missouri. Now she lives in California, where a judge determined that her cannabis use is medically necessary to ease her symptoms (Price, In Pot We Trust). Cannabis use for medical purposes and the relief of various symptoms has been around since before recorded history as the National Institute on Drug Abuse notes that, “The earliest written reference is found in the 15th century BC Chinese Pharmacopeia, the Rh-Ya.” While cannabis can be used for recreational purposes, recent research and history provide evidence to its medical benefits (Procon.org, 2017). While the Chinese Pharmacopeia may not have understood the science behind medical benefits of cannabis on certain ailments, it provides a historical background into the use of medicinal cannabis. WebMD defines medical cannabis (or medical marijuana) as, “A drug that is made up of the leaves, flowers, and buds of the hemp plant Cannabis sativa. Medical marijuana is the use of this drug to help treat symptoms like pain, muscle stiffness (spasticity), nausea, and lack of appetite.” (WebMD, 2017) This definition provides us with a basis for what can be considered medical cannabis and what a doctor can prescribe legally. As with any other drugs like opioids, cannabis can be abused and it is important that we distinguish what can be used

Medical marijuana has been proven to an effective drug in the treatment of a number of encumbering medical conditions. A large number of legitimate medical organizations recognize the benefits of marijuana. It is far less harmful and poses fewer negative side effects than many prescription drugs, including painkillers - and patients often find it to be a more effective treatment for a variety of illnesses. However, it is perhaps the most commonly misunderstood substance in America. The usage of the drug has been widely researched and proven to be a “most viable and safe source of medicine to many Americans suffering from Aids, Glaucoma, Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, Epilepsy, and Chronic Pains” (Medical Marijuana). According to the Institute of Medicines, (1999) “marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known” (Legalization of Marijuana). More and more resources and case studies will be further discussed and practices to back up the claim, and determine marijuana’s medical value.

The debate on whether or not marijuana is bad for your health has been going on for years. Even though it has it’s health benefits, it also has it’s health risks. Marijuana has short term effects, long term effects, can damage your lungs, and endanger a pregnancy.

The isolation of the lipophilic compounds found in marijuana led to the discovery of which component caused the psychoactive affects, D9-THC, which is produced from an acid derivative caused by the heating of the cannabis leaves. “It was not until the late 1980s that D9-THC was found to bind to two G-protein-coupled cell membrane receptors, consequently named the cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) and type 2 (CB2) receptors, to exert its effects. Thereafter, anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, CB1 and CB2 endogenous ligands, were identified in animals andnamed endocannabinoids.16 CB1 receptors are found primarily in the brain but also in several peripheral tissues. CB2 receptors are mainly found in immune and hematopoietic cells, but can become upregulated in other tissues.” (Devinsky, 2014, p. 793). Cannabinoid, a component of cannabis, does not active CB1 and CB2 receptors therefore it does not produce any psychoactive effects within the body. However cannabinoid or CBD is beneficial medically because it counter acts some of the function inhibitors D9-THC causes in the CB1 receptor, thus allowing cannabis to be more tolerable and increase the therapeutic

Marijuana is used for both recreational and medicinal uses. It is poorly looked upon by many because of stereotypes such as gangster, laziness, stupidity, and a poor work ethics. The use of marijuana presents questions for both the problems and medical issues. The earliest record was in ancient China, dating back to 2737 BC. It

Some people like to call it marijuana, some people like to call it weed, and some people like to call it cannabis. But have you ever took the time to get to know about this drug? Marijuana has been introduced to the world all the way back to 2337 BC. At first the focus was on it’s power as a medication for people to use such as rheumatism, gout, malaria,

There are over 30 recorded illnesses and diseases where marijuana has medical benefits. Some commonly known illnesses and diseases include: cancer, seizures, and neurological diseases (Welsh, Loria). For instance, marijuana is commonly used to treat epileptic seizures (Welsh, Loria). Dravet syndrome, commonly found in children, is an extremely detrimental syndrome that causes hundreds to thousands of grand mal seizures in children per month. After the development of medical strains of marijuana, an oil form of marijuana containing high concentrations of CBD was created. This marijuana oil has the ability to efficiently subside the active cells in the brain that are responsible for causing the seizures. Seizures were reported to have decreased

Marijuana is believe it or not, one of the safest ‘illegal’ drugs on Earth. It is safer than legal alternatives: alcohol or tobacco. According to CNN “1 in 8 Americans smoke marijuana on a regular basis.” the drug can provide medical benefits, lower social costs, and better the economy. Therefore Marijuana should be deemed legal for recreational and medicinal usage across America, because it provides medical benefits, lowers social cost, and betters the economy across the board.

Cannabis, formally known as marijuana is a drug obtained from the tops, stems and leaves of the hemp plant cannabis. The drug is one of the most commonly used drugs in the world. Only substances like caffeine, nicotine and alcohol are used more (“Marijuana” 1). In the U. S. where some use it to feel “high” or get an escape from reality. The drug is referred to in many ways; weed, grass, pot, and or reefer are some common names used to describe the drug (“Marijuana” 1). Like most drugs, marijuana has a very long history. People have been using the plant around the world for thousands of years. The oldest record of the marijuana plant dates back to 2727 B. C. in China where the plant was used as a medical herb for treating conditions like rheumatism, gout, malaria and even absent-mindedness (“Cannabis, Coca, & Poopy: Nature’s Addictive Plants” 1). Slowly, the plant started spreading around the world. By 1545, cannabis was starting to appear throughout the western worlds. Being introduced to South America by the Spanish to be used as fiber. The crop also had many other common uses around the world. In North America, cannabis was often used to make paper, ropes, clothing and other materials (“The Origins of Cannabis” 1).

Marijuana use can help treat various causes of pain and even do a part in killing cancer cells. Although marijuana is beneficial, it is very expensive, and in some states it’s not legal. A bud of medical marijuana can cost as much as 400 dollars an ounce (What Is the Average Cost of a Medical Marijuana Prescription?). For many people and animals, marijuana is the only substance that will relieve them of pain. Not everyone can buy legal medical marijuana either. Only the people who live in the 29 states where medical marijuana has been legalized can use it (State Marijuana Laws in 2017 Map). Over 2,600,000 patients in America have prescriptions for legal medical marijuana (“Number of Legal Medical Marijuana Patients”). Marijuana should be legalized because it relieves many medical symptoms, it assists mental health conditions, it is safer than many other alternative medicines, and it will greatly benefit the economy.