Legalization of Medical Marijuana Essay
Marijuana is a cannabis drug that may be used for medical purposes. It was used to soothe malaria and constipation in many Asian countries including India and China (Ashton). It has the capability to relieve the pain of a serious sickness like malaria as well as a common every day stomach sickness like constipation. Marijuana has also been used therapeutically for the common disease asthma (Ashton). It “exert[s] a bronchodilator action on the small airways” therefore allowing a person to breathe better (Ashton). Marijuana has not only been used for amusement but it has been a treatment for many illnesses therefore; we need to consider all the characteristics of marijuana before making a decision to legalize it for medical purposes.
For thousands of years human beings have attempted to find ways to get passed the struggles of their lives. With the pain of the world stopping people from enjoying simple pleasures, sometimes there is a need for help. Marijuana brings millions of people relief from the pain they feel on a day-to-day basis. This completely natural plant which helped so many people has puzzled the leaders of our nation for a long time. The THC in marijuana causes its users to experience a mild-huluciginic or high. The effect that marijuana has on a person has prevented the product from being legalized. Many other details about the plant, like the speculation of it being a gateway drug, have put another blockage on its legalization. Even though there are speculations about the plant, the benefit that it brings to the table most definitely out way its disadvantages. Marijuana can also alleviate several symptoms associated with cancer and Aids treatments and disorders. While Marijuana is effective as a medicine, it is also extremely lucrative. The economic benefits that Marijuana brings to the table are endless. Upon marijuana’s legalization, the economy would experience an immediate influx. Legalization of Marijuana would also drastically reduce crime in our cities and form a more productive society through its positive uses. The benefits that marijuana brings medically and economically are considerable enough to legalize its use medically or recreational. A considerable amount of literature has been published on cannabis specifically marijuana. These studies classify marijuana into three species: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and cannabis ruderalis. In fact, Cannabis sativa is the most widely used and recognized among the other species due to its ability to produce more fiber and oil. For many years, the plant has been used for making clothes as well as lighting and soap. Nevertheless, cannabis is widely used at the present time for intoxication and medical treatments. Marijuana is usually extracted from the flowers of the female plant (Grinspoon & Bakalar, 1993). According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana is well-defined as the “dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa, which contains the psychoactive (mind-altering) chemical delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), as well as other related compounds. This plant material can also be concentrated in a resin called hashish” (NIDA, 2014). The findings, while revolutionary in light of cannabis’ negative reputation, are hardly surprising. Marijuana has been used as an herb for centuries. It was prescribed by physicians for a variety of ailments. In fact, marijuana was primarily considered as medicine rather than a recreational psychoactive substance for most of history. Given the medical purposes of marijuana, it is evident that medical marijuana should be fully legalized. Society must go beyond the stigma associated with the substance and recognize its benefits. The disease causes physical and emotional pain not only among patients but also among their loved ones. The disease is also a financial burden on all levels of society, demanding individuals and families to spend thousands of dollars on treatments and costing the nation billions every year either due to direct healthcare expenses or lost productivity. By legalizing medical marijuana, society can expand the ways by which the healthcare system provides better lives for patients and their loved ones. The quarters opposing the legalization of medical marijuana have argued that although the ‘weed’ brings significant health and economic benefits, the country will be taking a risky path by accepting a drug that has greatly overburdened and downgraded society. Medically, marijuana has proven to heighten the risk of short-term memory loss, primarily when used occasionally. The extent of memory loss is more profound in teenagers, as most of them use cannabis primarily for recreational purposes. Other effects of legalizing marijuana are associated with cognitive impairment, as the users typically demonstrate some challenge in their thinking abilities. This presents difficulties in problem-solving, especially in fast-paced environments and work processes. According to Wengi, the majority of the users of marijuana use the drug through smoking, commonly referred to in the streets as a ‘joint’ accounting for 85% of the users. Smoking damages the lung tissues, further enhancing the risk of lung cancer (7). Marijuana is also a highly addictive drug likely to result in addiction. Lastly, another reason people are opposed to legalizing cannabis is that it is likely to impair one’s judgment, thus increasing the risk of accidents. In conclusion, medical marijuana should be legalized for rational reasons. Firstly, studies have proven the medicinal properties of marijuana. Marijuana is effective in treating pain, epilepsy, and many other symptoms associated with a variety of diseases. Legalization will provide a new chance for a better life for countless patients. Secondly, legalization will have the secondary effect of boosting research. For many years, researchers have been hindered by the legal status of marijuana. If medical marijuana is fully legalized, researchers will have more ability and incentive to discover the positive uses of this substance. In the end, the legalization of medical marijuana can bring new possibilities not only for medicine but the general quality of life for society. The scientific evidence on this issue is clear; the effects of marijuana are not completely negative. Research findings are casting doubt upon the long-standing association between marijuana and drug abuse. When used prudently and under the supervision of health professionals, it can help patients and their families as well as ease the burdens disease imposes upon society. This alone should be more than enough reason to pass laws that will legalize medical cannabis. Legalization of Marijuana has quickly become a controversial issue in America. In the United States, legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes is spreading to the state level. For example, in November 1996, the people of California and Arizona voted to legalize marijuana for medicinal reasons. As a result of Proposition 215 in California, patients now smoke marijuana provided their physician recommends its usage. A prescription is not required, and marijuana continues to be illegal to prescribe. The Clinton administration responded that it “would not recognize these decisions, and would prosecute physicians who recommend or provide marijuana to their patients.” Although California and Arizona are the only two states to have already passed laws regulating marijuana usage, twenty-six states and the District of Columbia have laws and resolutions regarding marijuana usage. These laws and resolutions range from establishing therapeutic research programs, to allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana, to asking the federal government to lift the ban. Despite the states’ desires to have marijuana legalized for medicinal purposes, the US National Institutes of Health examined all existing clinical evidence about smoked marijuana and concluded that, “There is no scientifically sound evidence that smoked marijuana is medically superior to currently available therapies.”
Legalization of Medical Marijuana Essay
Lastly, the natural aspect of marijuana is another reason the drug should be legalized for medical purposes. Hammond et al. proposed that the naturally occurring state of marijuana has been used for centuries to reduce pain successfully. The State of Colorado has made huge returns from taxing marijuana and related products, with at least $247, 368, 473 made in 2017 (Tanco et al., 82). The state has also proven that by legalizing weed, the country can deal with the opioid overdose pandemic.
History of medical marijuana essay
According to research conducted by a research body under National Institute on Drug Abuse, preventable deaths from opiate drugs overdose have greatly reduced with the implementation of medical marijuana laws. President Trump declared this epidemic a medical emergency being the deadliest in history. Treating opioid addiction is as deadly the opiated drugs themselves, since the patients face the same risks of overdose and the withdrawal medication does not cater for the pain which is the patients’ major concern. Mainly, this fact is proven by the study conducted in New Mexico, to show association between the enrollment in the New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program and opioid prescription use. The results showed that decrease in use of opiate drugs with increase enrollment in Medical Cannabis Program. In fact, this is the point in which medical marijuana comes in because it has been proven to control chronic pain making it a better alternative to opiate drugs (Mead 288).
Why marijuana should be used for medical use
The use of medical marijuana is increasingly becoming acceptable in the majority of the states in the United States. Currently, at least 37 states have made cannabis available for medical and recreational use. Medically, cannabis has proven helpful due to its health benefits, such as treating appetite loss associated with ailments such as HIV and nausea. Another reason why medical marijuana should be legalized is that patients can administer ‘weed’ to manage their pain using several approaches through edible products and cannabidiol oils. However, medical marijuana heightens the risk of lung cancer, memory loss, and accidents. Based on these arguments, I think America should embrace the naturally occurring hub for medical and economic benefits. Emphasis should be placed on research and testing to understand the benefits and how to limit the risks associated with the drug. Lastly, those considering using marijuana should seek directions from a qualified doctor.