Medical Marijuana Essay

Also known as California Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 made headlines around the country as the first law ever to change the legality of medical marijuana for public consumption statewide. Originating in San Francisco, it was passed by 55.6% of California voters on November 5, 1996 (Human Rights and the Drug War). The ideology behind passing Prop. 215 is that marijuana contains a number of legitimate medical uses and should be made available to those who would benefit from it. The text of the proposed law states that “seriously ill Californians have the right to obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes where that medical use is deemed appropriate” (NORML, 2009). All patients possessing a reasonable amount of

The use of marijuana for medicinal purposes is a long-standing controversy. For centuries marijuana was prescribed to alleviate symptoms associated with a variety of illnesses. Anti-medical marijuana sentiments began with the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937. In 1970, the Controlled Substances Act banned the use of marijuana completely, categorizing it as a drug with no medicinal value, high abuse rates, and detrimental health effects (http://www.farmacy.org/prop215/apha.html). Since 1996, numerous states including California, Alaska, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Washington have passed medical marijuana initiatives supporting the right to prescribe marijuana for seriously or terminally ill patients (http://www.marihemp.com/marimed.html). The American Public Health Association and the Institute of Medicine represent two organizations that have recently researched and endorsed advancements in the study of medical marijuana. Both groups support the use of marijuana for specific treatments, such as reducing nausea in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, stimulating the appetites of AIDS victims, and limiting spasticity in MS patients.

Disadvantages of medical marijuana can range from side effects with medications, increased psychosis, and public health issues. In addition, those in California have to be residents to obtain a medical marijuana identification card. In order to qualify for a medical marijuana identification card, one has to have a debilitating medical condition. According to Cohen (2010), a debilitating condition means: cancer, glaucoma, positive status for human immunodeficiency virus, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or treatment for such conditions. The identification card also calls for physicians to comply with these regulations. The physician must have a good standing license to practice in California, take responsibility of the patient's care, disclose a medical examination on the patient beforehand, document the serious medical condition and how medical marijuana is necessary, and have the patient sign consent and copies of his or hers medical records (California Medical Association, 2011). Physicians also have to look at the health risk that their patient might face if prescribed medicinal marijuana. According to the California Medical Association, 9% of adults become addicted to cannabis. This can lead to cognitive deficits that can range from impaired memory to the inability to learn. This article also indicated that long-term use can increase risk of developing schizophrenia due to

Other states, such as California, have allowed the medical use of Cannabis, and have even decriminalized the plant, as deeming Cannabis as an illegal drug [12].

D) Political: On November 6th, 1996, Proposition 215 (Compassionate Use Act of 1996) took effect as California Health and Safety Code 11362.5 making it legal for Californian patients and/or their designated primary caregivers to possess and cultivate medical cannabis for personal medical use. This law was passed the day earlier by the

Marijuana can be beneficial for health reasons. Year 1996, 23 states and Washington, DC passed laws allowing smoked marijuana to be used for various medical conditions. According to historical evidence, India, China, and some parts of the Middle East used marijuana to medicate those who suffered from malaria, rheumatism, pain, etc. By the end of the 1800's, other pain killers were introduced, such as aspirin, leaving marijuana to be less favored. Now in 2015, marijuana is prescribed for symptoms of HIV/AIDS, cancer, glaucoma, and multiple sclerosis. Ironically, two main cannabinoids from the marijuana plant that are of medical interest are THC and CBD; Cannabinoids are chemicals related to THC. CBD is known to counteract the psychoactivity

“The term medical marijuana refers to using the whole, unprocessed marijuana plant or its basic extracts to treat symptoms of illness and other conditions” (NIDA). Currently, one of the most discussed topics in the United States is rather or not to legalize marijuana for medical use. Many facts point to the significant value the drug would provide to the medical community. There is indeed opposition to the legalization of it, due to the idea that marijuana alone can become addicting and would cause more harm than good. However, the medical use of marijuana can have a major impact on reducing certain side effects a patient may face while enduring treatments such as chemotherapy, it can aid the U.S in curbing the American Opioid Epidemic, and it can help exterminate certain diseases. Medical marijuana has already been legalized in 29 states and Washington D.C. Other states that are behind on legalizing it can learn valuable lessons from the success of legalization in the 29 states and D.C.

Another thing about marijuana is that many sick people can’t used the medicine that works best on them.Medical marijuana is the only medicine that relieves their pain and suffering for many seriously ill people. Marijuana has been shown to help symptoms of a huge variety of serious medical conditions including AIDS, cancer, and glaucoma, and is often an effective alternative to synthetic painkillers.

The use of marijuana for medicinal purposes is an extremely controversial subject. There are many supporters, as well as many that are in opposition to the use of marijuana in any situation. Parties on both sides of the issue are regularly bringing forth new information to endorse their case.

The use of medical marijuana has been studied for various medical issues. Many of these studies have shown that there are in fact some benefits for many patients when they are using marijuana as a remedy. Medical marijuana is typically sought after by patients experiencing medical issues including the following: epilepsy, cancer, chronic pain, eating disorders, as

“The prohibition and criminalization of marijuana use does more harm to the public than good.” (DFCR, 1). The legalization of marijuana will provide many advantages rather than keeping it illegal and prevent it from making a difference in people’s lives. Marijuana can be useful in treating a variety of illnesses, such as glaucoma, pain, nausea, muscle spasms and loss of appetite. When it comes to pain-relieving, THC is the main ingredient found in marijuana responsible for its pain-relieving effects. THC activates pathways in the central nervous system which work to block pain signals from being sent to the brain. Similarly, marijuana has been shown to be especially effective against neuropathic pain, or nerve-related pain. Marijuana is also being investigated in cancer patients as a way to ease the side effects of cancer therapy, including nausea and vomiting, weight loss, etc. The illegal status of marijuana makes it difficult and risky to obtain for millions of people who could benefit from it. Loosening marijuana laws would help many of these people, and revoking the laws would help all of

Medical Cannabis is one of the most controversial topics in the United States in today. Even though the FDA stating it has no medical use, twenty-eight states have legalized the use of cannabis for medical purposes including the treatment of inflammation, pain, seizures, mental disorders, obesity, wasting disease, glaucoma, and diseases that affect the autoimmune system including multiple sclerosis and HIV/AIDS. Medical cannabis also shows signs of having anti-tumor effects along with anti-nausea effects which could be a breakthrough in cancer research.

Some people can use marijuana as medicine many have called for the legalization of marijuana to treat legalization of marijuana to treat conditions including pain and nausea caused by HIV/AIDS cancer and other conditions but clinical evidence has not shown that the therapeutic benefits of the marijuana plant outweighed. Did you know that marijuana also raises heart rate between 20%-100% shortly after smoking so which people decide to smoke they should think about their hearts and lungs. A high dose of marijuana it can produce a temporary psychotic reaction by using marijuana.

years before being struck down by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. However, with so much publicity the legal process of the petition generated within the drug culture of the 1960 's through the 1970 's in America, it likely convinced state authorities to reassess the restrictions against marijuana (Huntington’s Outreach Project for Education at Stanford, 2012). In 1982, 31 states and the District of Columbia had passed legislation granting the prescription of marijuana. In 1996, California voters passed Proposition (215) making it the first state to allow medical marijuana, Since that time 22 states, the district of Columbia and Guam have enacted similar laws (National Conference of State Legislatures, 2015). Of the 23 States, the District of Columbia and Guam now allow for comprehensive public medical marijuana and cannabis programs (National Conference of state legislatures, 2015). Recently, there have been 17 states who have approved efforts to allow use of ‘low’ THC, high cannabinoid products for medical reasons in limited situations or as a legal defense (National Conference of State Legislatures, 2015). The Compassionate Access, Research Expansion and Respect States (CARERS) Act is the first-ever bill in the U.S. Senate to legalize marijuana for medical use and it is the most comprehensive medical marijuana bill ever introduced in Congress which will allow:

Medical marijuana can and should be used to treat multiple medical conditions. Medical marijuana has been used to treat medically diagnosed conditions for quite some time. One source says, “A physician in ancient Greece, Dioscorides, noted that cannabis could treat pain, rheumatism, and gout” (Guterman, 2000, p.1). Therefore, this quote provides example that medical marijuana was used in the past to treat many medical conditions and was seen as a valid medical treatment throughout history as it should be today. Also, medical cannabis has been used to treat conditions such as, Alzheimer’s, Cancer, seizures, muscle spasms, and quite a few more serious medical conditions (Piotrowski, 2016). It seems that these medical conditions can be treated and managed with the help of medical marijuana. Hence,