What Is Medical Marijuana?

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.

What is Marijuana? Well, it is a plant that has many medical benefits and dates back almost 12,000 years ago. The plant has many components within itself like THC, tetrahydrocannabinol, it is the chemical compound in cannabis responsible for a euphoric high. Another component is CBD, Cannabidiol, which is a non-psychoactive and provides a wide range of medical benefits. There are eight states that allow for the plant to be used recreationally and twenty-nine states that allow the use of the plant for medical purposes only.

A doctor at Cannabinoid Research Institute said “Cannabis is the single most versatile herbal remedy and the most useful plant on Earth. No other single plant contains as wide a range of medically active herbal constituents” (Dr. Ethan Russo). After the legalization of marijuana in Colorado, medical and then shortly after recreational, many states are asking themselves the same question. Medical marijuana should be legalized as it provides a long list of medical uses for patients and an additional source of revenue for states. Medical marijuana has more than enough facts to support the legalization of it.

    According to a survey by pubmed.gov, “92 percent said that medical marijuana alleviated symptoms of their serious medical conditions, including chronic pain, arthritis, migraine, and cancer.” 86 percent of the United States believe that Cannabis has valid medical uses, says statista.com. Definitions.com states that, “medical marijuana refers to the use of cannabis or marijuana, including constituents of cannabis, THC and other cannabinoids, as a physician-recommended form of medicine or herbal therapy.” Medical marijuana should be legalized, because it can be a safe and effective treatment for a plethora of illnesses.

Cannabis is the most hated but yet very beneficial drug in the world. The United States has had strict laws against the use and distribution of marijuana since 1937. (The Union, Brett Harvey) Federal and state laws on medicinal marijuana are very different from each other. Cannabis has a lot of health benefits, this is the reason California was the first state to legalize it for medicinal purposes. (How weed won the west, Kevin Booth) People in America have been getting arrested for the use and possession of marijuana since it was outlawed. Charlie Lynch was one of those people in 2008. (Lynching Charlie Lynch, Rick Ray) I believe medical marijuana should be a legally taxed substance in the United States.

The use of medical marijuana (slang: Acapulco gold, ace, bhang, cannabis, hash, dope, ganja, grass, weed, hashish oil, hemp, home-grown, honey oil, indica, Jamaican roach, sativa, sinse, sinsemilla, tea, weed oil) has a been a major topic of debate for countless years. People all around the United States have seen propaganda of some sort regarding the legalization of marijuana. For example, with the ongoing discussion of legalization throughout the states, it’s abruptly mentioned in the news, everyday conversations, school topics for debate, and within stories of social media. In the article, “Is marijuana prohibition coming to an end”, Michelle Johnson a North Carolina journalist, states “Legalizing marijuana for a medical or recreational

Marijuana has been used for medicinal purposes for a long time now, its origins date back 5,000 years. Medical marijuana refers to the use of marijuana to treat a variety of health conditions. Marijuana, for medical purposes is seeing increasing coverage in the media. Chief Research Officer, Kymron DeCesare from Steep Hill Labs

Medical marijuana is “unprocessed marijuana plants or its basic extracts to treat symptoms of illness and other condition.” It is not considered as medicine, just used to treat conditions and illnesses. The FDA conducts several studies to determine the pros and cons of a possible medication. Marijuana contains cannabinoids, which is the cause of the “high” some people experience when they misuse it. Scientists have

Medical marijuana is a distinctly looking plant that is grown around the world and can be used medically. Medical marijuana is when “the whole, unprocessed marijuana plant or its basic extracts to treat symptoms of illness and other conditions” (Abuse). Marijuana plants can grow to be anywhere from twelve inches to eight feet tall, they have five leaves, and are a flowering plant. The plant is very hardy allowing it to be grown in numerous place around the world.

“In the 1960s, as drugs became symbols of youthful rebellion, social upheaval, and political dissent, the government halted scientific research to evaluate their medical safety and efficacy” (Drugpolicy). Therefore political action was taken to reduce the drug presence that swept the nation. President Nixon declared a “war on drugs.” This created a new policies such as no-knock warrants as well as mandatory sentencing. Nixon also increased the size and the amount of federal drug agencies nationwide. Mandatory sentencing where judges would have less discretion and therefore guides were made. This concept is often times called, “the one shoe fits all” which shows how everyone will get punished with the same amount of years creating a concise sentence. According to Drugpolicy.org, Nixon placed marijuana as a Schedule One drug, which made it one of the most restrictive drugs due to this category. Other drugs that are considered class ones are, LSD, Heroin, and

When President Nixon took office in 1969 he saw it as a god given opportunity for him to take charge of the country. A rise in drug trafficking and abuse in the 60’s led Nixon to administer the Controlled Substance Act. An act that set to label the addictiveness and medical purpose of drugs by 5 Schedules. Schedule one being the most addictive with no medical purpose and schedule five being less addictive with medicinal purposes. In 1973 He created the Drug Enforcement Administration or DEA, agents who enforced drug related laws and executed the punishments. The DEA also works to stop the trafficking of and distribution of drugs.

More states are passing laws that allow people to use medical marijuana. What does it treat, and who can and should use it? Pain is one of the main reasons individuals ask for a prescribed medication, from chronic headaches, disease like cancer, or a long-term condition, like glaucoma or nerve pain medications are usually prescribed to insure relief. If you live in a state where medical marijuana is legal and your doctor thinks medical marijuana would help, you’ll get a “marijuana card.” You will also be put on a list that allows you to buy marijuana from an authorized seller, called a dispensary. Your local doctor may also prescribe medical marijuana to treat the following: Muscle spasms caused by multiple sclerosis, Nausea from cancer chemotherapy,

On the June 17, 1971, President Nixon declared a “War on Drugs.” During the Nixon’s announcement of the war, he declares that the number one enemy to the country was drug abuse among its citizens. A product of President Nixon’s battle with drugs was the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). At the time, marijuana became a public issue among the parents of the country because of its high use among

Medical Marijuana has become a popular subject in today's society. Medical Marijuana refers to the use of cannabis and its cannabinoids to treat disease or improve symptoms. This substance is commonly utilized by many teens and adults for recreational and medical reasons such as dealing with depression. Many people overlook what this substance can do for us. Medical cannabis can change lives. It has shown positive results for people with serious illnesses and chronic pain.

Medical marijuana has been a very controversial issue nationwide. Many speculate that marijuana is a harmful drug. When in reality marijuana is a medicine, which has been proven be doctors and researchers, especially in small countries. Marijuana help those who use it with chronic pains and illnesses. Medical marijuana is helpful to individuals with severe chronic pain and comes from a natural growing plant. Marijuana should be a medical option because the benefits of marijuana greatly overwhelm those that oppose to the drug.