Pediatric Psychiatrist: Case Study

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

Although medical marijuana programs face several complications, the benefits offered by medical marijuana and the positive impact this drug could have on the lives of thousands of patients and their families make a strong case for its consideration ( Russo 2008). The potential disadvantages can be minimised or even overcome through a number of measures, including the close medical supervision, education and monitoring of patients, and the creation of suitable infrastructure (e.g., medical marijuana dispensaries) and the creation of laws and policies that are not only sympathetic of medical marijuana patients but will also, minimise the risk the drug poses to the public ( Russo 2008). Individuals who live with chronic pain, whether it be physical or emotional, it’s important to contemplate the treatment options carefully. Doctors frequently over prescribe pain pills, which could result in physical dependence and chronic, life-threatening side effects ( ABC 2017). While many doctors may be quick to dismiss a request for a medical marijuana prescription, you can often get one on site at a medical marijuana dispensary or be assessed at a medical marijuana evaluation centre ( ABC 2017). If marijuana is an possibility for individuals, it deserves some consideration. It is less dangerous than opiates and could be equally

Medical marijuana laws are currently in effect in 25 states, as well as the District of Columbia. In recent years, medical marijuana advocates, and members within the scientific community have joined together with the New York City Council to present compelling patient vignettes before state lawmakers in Albany to show legitimate need for cannabinoids. New York City maintains its position as actively investigating into these claims. As a New York City nursing candidate, depending on state legislation, this may be an avenue of therapeutic treatment that I must research, educate patients on, and utilize effectively in my future career plan. Currently, opioids remain the only form of

Joycelyn Elders, former Surgeon General, once spoke about the legalization of marijuana for medical use in a press conference. "It's criminal to keep this medicine from patients," she said (Silverman, 1995, pg. 2). She received criticism not only from many citizens of the United States, but also strong criticism from the President who appointed her. The legalization of marijuana for medical use has always been a sharply debated subject, and many of the debaters are uneducated about the effects of using this illegal drug for therapeutic use. Many studies have been done and the results are clear. As a medical drug, marijuana should be available to patients who do not adequately respond to currently available

Many physicians across North America hesitate to prescribe medical marijuana to their adult patients out of fear, why would they even start considering prescribing it to children . This fear mainly originates from the fact that as medical students in medical school, doctors learn absolutely nothing about prescribing it, therefor, cannot knowledgeably advise patients on dosage and side effects of this medication. This is quite sad considering how much benefits can come from medical marijuana, especially in paediatric care, as it useful, safe and in some cases lifesaving. The stereotype associated with "weed" forces doctors to second guess the benefits that may come from it. The fact that it is considered a Schedule 1 drug in United States

Medical use of Marijuana is probably the most discussed topic of the legalizing campaign over the recent years. Some opponents of Marijuana say that it does not have any medical uses at all, and argue that Marijuana is only harmful and should remain illegal. Others for legalization have an opposite view that is starting to gain more recognition as time goes on. Around the late 1990’s, some members of the nation’s medical establishment began to acknowledge marijuana’s potential health benefits. One respected health organization, the Institute of Medicine, released a report in 1999 which stated that “nausea, appetite loss, pain and anxiety can all be mitigated by marijuana (Medical). In an article Drug Legalization, Advocates of medical marijuana say that in many cases it is the only treatment that has been shown to work. “It is a very effective medication for people who have failed to get good results from standard medications,” says Ethan Russo, a neurologist who has studied medical marijuana, “and that is why so many people are devoted to risking their lives and career to get this drug”(Drug). There are many reports that Marijuana can help with conditions traditional medicines do not seem to help with. Marijuana has also been a huge help to patients with Cancer, HIV/AIDS, Glaucoma, and Insomnia. With a lot of prescription medicines being expensive, Marijuana would be a cheaper alternative to buy if people chose to do so.

            Many citizens in the United States suffer from lifelong diseases that cause them to lose the ability to live their day-to-day lives. The United States is now faced with the problem over whether or not drugs, often stigmatized by society, should be made legal. One of these lifesaving drugs is medical marijuana. This leaves us with the troubling question: “should medical marijuana be legalized in the United States?”. Supporters of the drug have argued that it should be legalized because it is superior to other painkillers and can be beneficial to people suffering from numerous illnesses. However, those who oppose its use, argue that not enough research has been done and it may be harmful. The

“In strict medical terms marijuana is far safer than many foods we commonly consume. For example, eating 10 raw potatoes can result in a toxic response. By comparison, it is physically impossible to eat enough marijuana to induce death. Marijuana in its natural form is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man. By any measure of rational analysis, marijuana can be safely used within the supervised routine of medical care.” Francis Young, DEA Administrative Law Judge, stated. Marijuana was thought of as a drug that was enormously harmful to the user’s health and well-being, but the truth about it is that if used correctly, marijuana has the ability to alleviate a variety of medical conditions, some that were thought to be “untreatable.” An immense amount of research and evidence has proven repeatedly that marijuana is able to treat many problems that plague much of our nation. Medical marijuana needs to legalization across the United States because of its ability to aid those with respiratory issues, to assuage one’s struggle with mental disorders, and it has a profound ability to mitigate the side effects often seen with people who are burdened with cancer.

Gray’s article “Legalize Use of Marijuana for Medical Purposes, MDs and Patients Plead” sufficiently appeals to the reader’s pathos. However, she fails to support her claim that marijuana needs to become legal and doctors should have a supply available for their patients due to the lack of detail, statistics, and unreliable

Medical marijuana laws are currently in effect in 25 states, as well as the District of Columbia. In recent years, medical marijuana advocates, and members within the scientific community have joined together with the New York City Council to present compelling patient vignettes before state lawmakers in Albany to show legitimate need for cannabinoids. New York City maintains its position as actively investigating into these claims. As a New York City nursing candidate, depending on state legislation, this may be an avenue of therapeutic treatment that I must research, educate patients on, and utilize effectively in my future career plan. Currently, opioids remain the only

Recently the drug policies and war on drugs has been increasingly seen in the headlines. Policies taken by the United States government against illegal drugs like marijuana are becoming apparent, and are coming into question. This has caused quite a controversy among supporters and opponents about legalization issues. Should marijuana be used as a medicine, as its advocates say? Or is it a dangerous drug of abuse that exposes users to brain damage and lung cancer? The debate over legalizing marijuana in all probability will continue for a long time, and it is a shame that this debate is so polarized. Marijuana produces long-term effects and damage on the brain. Although there have been reports of successful treatment in the use of marijuana as medicine, there appears to be more negative reasons why marijuana should not be used. Marijuana has been used for treatment of many diseases, some of which include cancer, post traumatic stress disorder, arthrosclerosis, digestive diseases, and HIV/AIDS. Despite the success for some medical issues, marijuana continues to be a “dangerous, addictive drug that poses significant health threats to users. Marijuana has no medical value that can't be met more effectively by legal drugs” ("U.S Drug Enforcement Administration"). The government and medical professionals should make it a point to emphasize the increasing problems of marijuana and its harmful effects on the body, as well as providing alternatives to

Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience to enter a marijuana dispensary, learn about the benefits for pain, and use a product that best suites their individual wants/needs; rather than the use of prescription medications.

This can be accomplished by utilizing different media outlets such as television to broadcast informative public service announcements. A portion of the grant money will go to paying for the airtime and materials necessary such as cameras, lights and sound equipment required for this PSA. NORML will utilize volunteers and faculty members to write, act, manage and produce this PSA. The primary goal of this PSA would be to increase the awareness regarding laws surrounding cannabis to those of whom were previously unaware of NORML and their stance regarding the legalization or decriminalization of cannabis. In addition to the PSA, NORML plans to send 3 advocates on a tour to different college campuses around the nation to educate college students on alternative cannabis policy options. The tour would consist of several forms of educational programs ranging from informative workshops, on campus activities and lectures. NORML has already contacted several different universities in the northeast area that are willing to collaborate with them. This first tour will consist of universities in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. Consequently, this organization already has the material necessary to provide these educational

Cannabis is becoming increasingly widespread and increasingly common in modern-day society for both recreational use and for medication. The article by Craig Reinarman, ‘Criminalisation, legalisation and the mixed blessing of medicalisation in the USA’ generates many controversial issues of cannabis.

The use of cannabis toward medicine should not be shocking to anyone, since it has been around for centuries. As a matter of fact, it has been under medicinal aid for an estimated 5,000 years. Western medicine truly grasped marijuana’s medicinal abilities in the 1850’s. Infact, doctors documented over one hundred papers about how marijuana helped numerous disorders, such as nausea, glaucoma, movement disorders, pain relief, depression, and anxiety. It also helps cancer patients and those with HIV or Aids. Currently, many American patients have access to marijuana use so that they can have effective treatments for their illnesses. Medical marijuana use is achievable because