Although other physician recommended drugs can relieve various illnesses, for some patients these drugs do not relieve their symptoms, as they should (Joy 117). For this type of patient, medical marijuana is an obvious alternative, if only it were legal. The legalization of marijuana is becoming a more polemic debate as several states are, at the very least, decriminalizing it. The decision for legalization is conflicted between whether the drug can provide benefits towards certain medical conditions and also be safe to consume. Marijuana should be legalized for medical uses because it has a broad set of therapeutic effects that are beneficial to certain patients. Two FDA-approved drugs contain a chemical that resides in marijuana, which shows that the side effects of prescription drugs are similar to marijuana. The legalization does not have a negative influence on society, especially teenagers, according to research done with eight states. Like other prescription medicines, marijuana has a large variety of remedial aftereffects that can be beneficial for certain conditions. HIV/AIDS and chronic pain are the most common disorders that can be treated with marijuana. These patients reported that marijuana alleviated nausea and vomiting, and also augmented their appetite (Joy 19). According to the United States General Accounting Office, the state-qualifying conditions are cancer chemotherapy treatment, glaucoma, epilepsy, wasting syndrome, anorexia, and multiple sclerosis
These qualities include treating multiple afflictions such as nausea, vomiting (Consroe), appetite loss, anxiety, pain (Marijuana), and multiple sclerosis (Abuse). Medical marijuana is able to assist doctors with relieving patients from these multiple difficulties because marijuana contains a chemical called cannabinoids (Abuse). Cannabinoids are produced by the human body and can sharpen memory, thought processes, concentration, movement, awareness, and the five senses (Abuse). The cannabinoids that marijuana produce include cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol (Abuse). Tetrahydrocannabinol is used mainly for treating pain, inflammation, and muscle control (Abuse). Cannabidiol is used to treat pain, inflammation, epileptic seizures, and quite possibly mental illnesses in the future (Abuse). These cannabinoids can increase the effects of cancer killing and treatment of HIV and AIDS (Abuse). Studies conducted in 2001 also shed new light on the incredible properties of medical marijuana by discovering that it can be used to treat patients with a terminal illness or a chronic disease
It also provides the treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, glaucoma, Arthritis, depression, anxiety, Hepatitis C and morning sickness (Iversen 165). It is also a less toxic drug compared to various other drugs that physicians often prescribe. These qualities of marijuana as a medicine have led to its use in adoption by health providers widely. Marijuana improves the immune function of patients with HIV-1 infection more than other medicine like placebo do. For instance, a study examining the short-term effects of the cannabinoids found that the patients who smoked or took marijuana pills gained an average of 4 pounds more than those who took placebo (Iversen 168). Marijuana has some significant uses for cancer and asthma patients, too. It increases their appetite, relieves nausea and vomiting in cancer patients, and it inhibits tumor growth and enlarges the airways. This does not only cause its use for chemotherapies but also to ease asthma attacks. Terminally ill patients, especially those suffering from terminal cancer and advanced AIDS, take marijuana because its benefits are more than its suspected risks. To these patients, the institutions that regulate the use of marijuana for medical purposes need to relax the federal laws with their regard because physicians administer the drug based on care
Legalizing Medical Marijuana can help patients with relief from nausea and appetite loss, reduction of muscle spasms and relieve from chronic pain. Helpful for treatment for the AIDS-- reduces the nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite, Glaucoma -- reduces pressure relieving the pain and sometimes stopping damage to the eyes, Cancer -- excite appetite and relieving nausea and vomiting, and Epilepsy -- stops seizures. There are a huge volume of reports and studies which state that marijuana is highly effective in treating a number of illnesses, and it can make a highly achieved replacement for several types of medication, many of which having countless horrible side effects. “Many California doctors recommend the drug because they’ve seen salutary results with marijuana with marijuana not found with its legal pill form equivalent, Marinol.”( Minamide, Elaine. pg14)
Under the state medical marijuana laws, the patient’s doctor recommends the use of marijuana but does not write a prescription as it is not available at pharmacies, nor is it covered by any type of insurance plan. Patients and/or their caregivers, along with growers and sellers, must register with the state to indicate their participation in the medical marijuana program. Also, the patient must have at least one defined debilitating or qualifying medical condition ("Controlled Substance Act," 2014). These conditions can be difficult to define as patients often self-report the benefits they receive from smoking marijuana. According to one study, patients report that marijuana relieves pain, muscle spasms, headaches, anxiety, depression, cramps, diarrhea and panic attacks. In addition, they report that it improves their sleeping, appetite, ability to relax and concentrate (Reinarman et al., 2011). Not surprising, 90% of the physician recommendations describe the patient as having chronic pain ("Controlled Substance Act,"
For example, if a patient was diagnosed with HIV, he/she would experience loss of appetite, significant weight loss, and a decrease in calorie intake. However, with the use of prescribed marijuana, these effects are reduced almost completely. Alo, marijuana has helped glaucoma, increased pressure behind the eye causing gradual loss of vision, compensate with the high intraocular pressure, pupil restriction, and conjunctival hyperemia, all of which results in this devastating disease proving its neuroprotective properties. Furthermore, if patients with multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, or other related trauma were to smoke the cannabis, they would find relief of spasticity, pain, and
Marijuana is the most frequently used illicit drug and has been used by nearly 100 million
Have you ever had a dilemma and there was a solution to it but it was out of reach? Many people in United States suffer from sicknesses that can be help treated with marijuana. The “drug” marijuana has many benefits from minor day-to-day to life-changing benefits. Cancer, strokes, arthritis, stress, anxiety, and depression are just some instances. Marijuana has been a stigma of bias beliefs for many years. People fear that marijuana can have a negative impact on their health. Such as, breathe in smoke, brain damage, gateway to other drugs but marijuana is a safe substance that should be legalized in the United State.
All over the nation we are seeing economic growth due to the legalization of marijuana. In 2014 expected tax revenue from the marijuana industry is an expected $67 million just in Colorado alone. Now in Washington their government is allocating a 25% excise tax on marijuana. While in Colorado they assigned a proposition to enable a 15% excise tax, and a 10% sales tax on recreational marijuana. Marijuana is stimulating businesses all over, whether it be real estate, construction, or candy! Business owners are using the legalization of marijuana to their advantage. With the legalization of marijuana businesses like Whole Foods and The Body shop, that import an estimated 25,000 hemp product, can buy their hemp products from national
Getting the audience’s attention- “Why is marijuana against the law? It grows naturally upon our planet. Doesn’t the idea of making nature against the law seem to you a bit…. unnatural?” This is a quote from Bill Hicks.
Marijuana is a greenish brown or gray mixture of the shredded leaves, flower and stems of the cannabis plant, smoked as a cigarette or in a special pipe. During my research I found out that Marijuana has been a controversial topic for many years about whether or not legalize it, the side effects of using it, and the medicinal aspect of it. In the next pages I will write about the Marijuana Law in Washington State, the history of the marijuana, and the effects in the body when it used.
The legalization of marijuana has achieved national attention within the last few years. Twenty-five states and the District Of Colombia have decriminalized marijuana but only 4 have legalized it strictly for recreational purposes. It has been an increasingly popular idea to legalize it across the U.S, but this new trend should not continue. Marijuana consists of very helpful benefits towards medical issues such as HIV, AIDS, and seizures. However, this drug should never emerge to legalization because it causes short-term affects on the users health and specifically the brain. It causes long-term affects including a negative correlation between smoking marijuana and ones income and learning capabilities. It causes dependency to people who smoke it especially before the age of 18. And, it does in fact show signs of a “gate way” drug for a significant amount of people. Citizens should not easily obtain this drug, especially younger kids. This drug should not meet legalization for these reasons stated; however the medical benefits should continue to help with serious health issues.
Many of you have your own opinion on whether marijuana should be legalized or not, for recreational or medical use. Marijuana has been looked down on by federal governments since before 1915, when Utah passed the first anti-marijuana law. Since then, the black market (illegal trade) has become extremely violent causing the crime rate to skyrocket over the years. The black market is based off of a variety of illegal, dangerous drugs. Marijuana differs from other drugs because of its medical advantage. Pulling marijuana out of the black market trade and selling it through dispensaries has the potential to change our society for the better, having marijuana being sold and taxed safely in a retail store. It will also help the people who use marijuana as their medicine over other prescription drugs that have harmful side effects and killer withdrawal symptoms. My point is to inform you of the medical advantages of legalizing marijuana. There are many questions relating to marijuana since most of the time people only hear the negative aspects of the schedule I substance. This paper will begin with some history on the controversial event of legalizing marijuana, then go into how exactly the herb helps people, an inside look at dispensaries, and a comparison of marijuana to prescription drugs.
In the debate to legalize Marijuana there are people for the legalization, and there are people who are against the legalization. Before I get too far into my own side and the opinions I have to go along with it, I’m going to give you some information to help you better decide your own side. The main thing going around right now to legalize Marijuana is Prohibition 48. Prohibition 48 is the amendment to the state constitution proposed by the people of Mississippi. In my research on the subject I found that prohibition 48 is said to be the ending of Marijuana prohibition in Mississippi. This prohibition will legalize medical and recreational marijuana use. It will also follow up with growing up Marijuana and all Hemp products. Forgiveness will be given to all offenders that aren’t violent. The only thing is that recreational marijuana will be taxed and I am not particularly sure how I feel about that. According to Yes to Prohibition 48 “Proceeds from these taxes will wholly and directly benefit Mississippi schools.” The end of this prohibition will bring with it many changes to legal, economy, educational, and healthcare systems.
Five territories in the United States; Colorado and Washington in 2012, with Oregon, Alaska and Washington D.C. quickly following their example, have already found substantial evidence to support the legalization of marijuana. I absolutely agree with the legislation passed in these areas making the use of marijuana legal, so long as it is sold and regulated by the government in a similar fashion to alcohol and tobacco. Like tobacco and alcohol there should only be certain settings in which it is acceptable to engage in such activities. The use of marijuana as a medicinal drug is absolutely agreeable because it can help so many who cannot find relief from their disorders through any other means, but the recreational use would also have a number of positive effects on America as a whole.
Alzheimer disease, Glaucoma, AIDS, cancer, and over a hundred illnesses, all are adequately helped with this one drug that has been kept under lock and key by the law. Cannabis; marijuana; weed; a drug that has been around for thousands of years, yet not one death recorded, may be the most beneficial medicine out there. Cannabis is a drug that can be easily grown personally, or in a business, and is probably the safest and most organic medicine. Not only is it a natural herb, but it is also the cleanest medicine you could intake. Marijuana should be legalized for medical use in that it has incredible health benefits, and would positively bring a large crime rate shift, and would help lift the economy.