We Need Federal Funding for Medical Marijuana Research Essay

Marijuana is a drug that divides people. Some people claim it as the wonder drug of the '90s, capable of relieving the symptoms of many serious illnesses. Others curse the day the cannabis plant was ever discovered. From pain relief to stimulating the appetites of patients on chemotherapy, marijuana seems to have plenty going for it as a medicine. The legalization of marijuana is a large controversy in many parts of the world today, but the obvious negative effects that the drug induces has kept it from being legalized. Many researchers have a strong positive attitude towards marijuana. It has been said that the drug is “worth investigating and even providing as a medicine for pain relief, severe

Cannabis has provided millions worldwide with relief from chronic pain caused by a myriad of pain-producing illnesses. Cannabis has significantly improved the quality of life of people with cancer, AIDS, arthritis, and the list goes on. The medical marijuana movement is not concerned with decriminalizing or legalizing cannabis for recreational use. It is concerned with helping people with serious illnesses and disabilities to get on with their lives. (Bearman, 2011)

Marijuana is a drug misunderstood by many nation wide however, most people do not consider it 's legitimate medicinal application. Medical marijuana defined by Drugfacts refers to the use of the whole unprocessed plant to treat a disease or illness. The Drug Enforcement Administration has listed it under the schedule I classification which is the same classification that heroin, LSD, ecstasy and many other drugs are under. The classification identifies the drug as a dangerous substance that has no recognized medicinal use as reported by the DEA. It 's classification as a highly regulated Schedule I drug makes it challenging to study its medical benefits. Due to this classification, marijuana is commonly regarded by the general public as possessing "no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse" (DEA.gov). The DEA has yet to acknowledge many conducted scientific studies that point to the very tangible medical benefits of cannabinoids (Voth and Schwartz 1997). The blockade on marijuana research has caused a severe halt in reaping the benefits of THC. The drug is a better alternative than many drugs given to patients as seen in some cases of neurological disorders such as epilepsy and chronic terminal conditions like cancer, because of its "analgesic, sedative, and anticonvulsant" properties (Abood, Sorensen, and Stella 2012). Marijuana can serve as both a viable treatment option and improves the quality of life through its pain relieving capacities. While

In response to these claims, several medical professionals distinguished by the Institute of Medicine analyzed the effectiveness of medical marijuana use. On March 17, 1999, these scientists collectively determined that although toxins are released during inhalation, this con, so to speak, does not outweigh the pros in reducing the pain, nausea, and vomiting in cancer patients and therefore, under careful observation should be permitted as treatment (Clark, The Ethics of Medical Marijuana: Government Restrictions vs. Medical Necessity). For example, it would not be beneficial for the federal government to withhold patients’ access to morphine after an operation in order to eradicate the inevitable, harmful side effects on the patient (Cohen). Countering the argument on addiction, studies have shown that only the individuals who use marijuana heavily become addicted and still that percentage does not exceed 10% (Cohen). According to Cohen, when analyzing the effects of marijuana on those who use it often for recreational purposes, it may not be accurately representing the effects it would have on patients using it in small, regulated doses. Additionally, this analysis reiterated that no direct link was found between medical marijuana and generalized public drug abuse or that it serves as a gateway drug to harder drugs

Medical marijuana has been an ongoing fight between the federal government, physicians and patients. Contrary to many beliefs, marijuana, whether it is used for medical reasons or recreational is non-lethal. It has been proven to be useful in many medical conditions. There has been no evidence of an individual overdosing on marijuana, but there have been a tremendous number of deaths related to prescription drugs, and over the counter medications. The legalizing of medical marijuana will change the lives of so many

Due to marijuana’s versatility and remarkability Grinspoon declares if it had been discovered today, cannabis would be hailed as a “wonder drug”. If made legal, the drug would be able to take care of a broad spectrum of ailments reducing the amount of medication required per patient; the less medication prescribed and required for a patient equals a smaller hospital bill. It is important to keep in mind what symptoms marijuana is useful for relieving, as they provide insight to the many medical wonders of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis). Especially when considering all the “cultural and political baggage” that seem to pin down medical marijuana use.

Under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug—having a high potential for abuse, having no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and lacking accepted safety for use of the drug under medical supervision. Schedule I drugs are not available to patients even by prescription and are only occasionally granted to researchers under strict guidelines. The Food and Drug Administration has, at various times, based its refusal of a schedule change for marijuana on claims that it lacks the authority to regulate the practice of medicine and that there is an absence of data necessary for approval. Yet as Administrative Law Judge Francis L. Young observed in his review of another drug, MDMA, on May 27, 1986:

Medical marijuana is one of the most simple yet useful drugs in the medical field today. Marijuana can benefit all types of people when ingested or smoked. “Marijuana can relieve many types of chronic pain, nausea and vomiting from any number of ailments. Those suffering from illnesses such as multiple sclerosis, cancer and AIDS—or even the harsh drugs sometimes used to treat these problems—may benefit from consuming marijuana.” ("The Pros and Cons of Medical Marijuana | The Mindful Word.”) Marijuana has successfully treated many cases of glaucoma and other life-threatening

To the AIDS or cancer patient, marijuana is the plant that fights nausea and appetite loss. To the nutritionist, its seed is second only to the soybean in nutritional value and is a source of cooking oil and vitamins. To the paper or cloth manufacturer, it is the plant that provided much of our paper and clothing for hundreds of years and produces four times more fiber per acre than trees. To the environmentalist, it is the plant that could greatly slow deforestation, restore robbed nutrients by other crops, and help prevent erosion. According to Lonnelle Aikman, "Preliminary findings show the drug may prove effective against glaucoma and asthma, and control such side nausea in cancer treatment"(158).

Marijuana is socially known to benefit patients with adverse health conditions to improve their quality of life. Marijuana for medicinal purposes have been used for patients with terminal illness such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s Disease and various mental disorders. For instance, “marijuana extracts may [slow the growth of cancer cells in cancer patients], kill certain cancer cells and [even] reduce the size of others” (“DrugFacts—Is Marijuana Medicine?”). Moreover, it is well-documented that marijuana can help with health issues such as pain, nausea, epilepsy and appetite loss. Medical

The debate surrounding the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes has been around for many years. Patients with chronic debilitating illnesses taut the benefits of marijuana, whether through smoking or eating it, and claim that its use has been instrumental in allowing them to live normal, productive lives. Others, like those in law enforcement and the government, believe that allowing marijuana to be used for medicinal reasons will result in a higher incidence of illicit drug use, along with encouraging users to seek bogus exemptions under the medicinal marijuana laws (Fang, 2014). Used for thousands of years to treat a variety of illnesses, there is no evidence that the use of marijuana for treatment purposes led people to

Marijuana is one of the most misunderstood forms of medication. Since there is so much controversy about whether it is harmful or beneficial, there is naturally a fear of unknown side effects(Strickland, CNN). Although supporters of medicinal and recreational marijuana significantly outnumber its opposers, it’s prohibition is just now beginning to waver. Many doctors and officials are still fighting to keep the ban. Little did most of America know, cannabis could be found in most medicine cabinets in the early 1900’s before it became illegal(Reiman & Burnett, Drug Policy Alliance). It has been clinically proven that marijuana is less habit-forming than other opiate drugs, and there is absolutely no risk of fatal overdose(Gupta, CNN). Research proves that the plant is able to treat and cure numerous types of illnesses.

Using marijuana for medicinal purposes is not a recent discovery. In fact, written references to use medical marijuana date back nearly 5,000 years. Western medicine embraced marijuana’s medical properties in the mid-1800s, and by the beginning of the 20th century, physicians had published more than 100 papers in the Western medical literature recommending its use for a variety of disorders. These disorders include pain relief, nausea, glaucoma, and movement disorders. It is also used as a powerful appetite stimulant which helps patients that had HIV/AIDS or cancer patients going through chemotherapy. Today, thousands of patients are able to use marijuana as an effective method of treatment for their conditions. This is possible because twenty-three state governments across the country have acknowledged cannabis’ effective healing properties and legalized its consumption for medicinal purposes with the consent of a licensed physician.

Cannabis has been used for over 12,000 years for many purposes such as food, clothing, and to treat disease and relieve symptoms. The ancient Greek historian Herodotus had one of the earliest descriptions, writing of the Scythians inhaling vapors of hemp seeds, rendering them to a transported state (Herodotus and Rawlinson, G.). Cannabis is also the plant known as marijuana and has been illegal since the 1930s. “Before World War II, marijuana was listed as a medicine in the nation’s Pharmacopeia (Noonan, D.).” “Medical marijuana refers to treating a disease or symptom with the whole, unprocessed marijuana plant or its basic extracts (“Is Marijuana Medicine?”).” Since 1970 it has been classified as a serious drug without medical benefits. However, there are different forms of marijuana that shows promise as a useful drug. Research has shown that some forms of the plant have relieved pain and nausea for cancer patients and HIV and AIDS sufferers. More recently, treatment properties of medical marijuana are getting attention for treating seizures and cancer tumors. But the reputation of marijuana as an illicit drug and its status under the law make it controversial and difficult for doctors to prescribe.

Medicinal pot is prescribed by numerous specialists to their patients. The UK review, distributed in the International diary of clinical practice, got some information about their utilization of the medication. Very nearly 70% said cannabis fundamentally calmed their side effects. 45% said that it worked superior to anything recommended drugs. Be that as it may, the British Medical Association said it had never known about a specialist suggesting it. The review was conveyed to individuals who reached the organization GW Pharmaceuticals since they inspired by this exploration into utilizing cannabinoids as treatment. Pharmaceuticals said that that was the most broad study of restorative cannabis use among constantly sick patients led to date. The BMA needs certain cannabinoids – synthetically removed from the medication – to be authorized for more extensive restorative use. As indicated by the UK review. Individuals with the unending agony were well on the way to utilize cannabis for medicinal purposes (25%) trailed by patients with various sclerosis (22%), wretchedness (22%) joint pain (21%) and neuropathy, or nerve issue (19%). A great many people utilized the medication at any rate once every week with 33% of those reviewed said they utilized cannabis six or seven days a week. More youthful individuals, men and the individuals who had utilized cannabis recreationally were likewise more prone to utilize cannabis for therapeutic reasons. 66% said a companion, or relative had