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Medical Marijuana The scientific name for marijuana is cannabis sativa, but it is more commonly known as weed, pot, or a handful of other names. The chemical compounds responsible for the intoxicating and medicinal effects are found mainly in a sticky golden resin exuded from the flowers of the female plant. (Bakalar p. 1) The issue of whether or not marijuana should be used as and considered a medicine is one that has been prevalent for years. Despite many claims and the negative images of marijuana we are exposed to marijuana has a great medicinal value. Marijuana can be used to repress many of the terrible symptoms and treatments side effects of diseases including cancer, aids, and glaucoma. There is evidence dating back over 5, 000 years of marijuana being used as a medicine. Studies have also shown that many of the believed negative side effects of marijuana are false or greatly exaggerated Despite the inclusion of marijuana on the just say no list that we are taught from childhood marijuana's power is great when used as a medicine.
One of the greatest advantages of cannabis as a medicine is its unusual safety. (Randall p. 8) The ratio of lethal dose to effective dose is estimated to be about 20, 000: 1. There is no evidence of a case in which marijuana caused death in a human. It is also a fact that marijuana does not disturb any physiological functions or cause damage in any organs when used in therapeutic doses. Another of marijuana's positive qualities is that it produces very little dependence or tolerance in its users. There has never been proof that medical use of marijuana has led too habitual use as an intoxicant. (Randall p. 8) There first evidence of marijuana being used as a medicine dates back over 5, 000 years ago in which it was used to remedy such ailments as malaria, constipation, and rheumatic pains.
Cannabis was used extensively in medicine until the passage of the Marijuana Tax Act in 1937. (Randall p. 35) Marijuana could be used today to treat cancer, aids, and glaucoma patients. When I smoke marijuana Im living with aids. When I dont smoke and take tranquilizers and narcotics, Im dying with aids, (Randall p. 2) as quoted by an aids patient. The patient also went on to say that marijuana stimulates his appetite, eases muscle spasms and chronic aches, and allows him to stay functional and alert. His had dropped down to 86 pounds after his sickness and went back up to 136 after he began smoking marijuana. Cancer patients who suffer from side effects of chemotherapy report similar advantages saying that it helps to stimulate their appetite and helps to reduce nausea and vomiting.
THC which is the active chemical in marijuana has also retarded the growth of cancer cells in animal studies. A glaucoma patient named Elvy had tried everything to treat her disease including 23 surgeries, cataract operations, and even injections to the retina of her eye. Even after all of these procedures she still experienced excruciating pain and eventually blindness in one eye. Elvy was arrested for illegal use of marijuana and at her trial testified that marijuana had a medicinal value-that it relieved the pressure, alleviated the pain, and reduced the number of headaches she endured from glaucoma. (Mature p. 15) Marijuana is undoubtedly a medicine and not the harmful drug it is perceived to be by society. A study by the National Commission of Marijuana and Drug Abuse found no evidence that marijuana caused crime, insanity, sexual promiscuity, an a motivational syndrome, or that marijuana was a stepping stone to other drugs. (Zimmer p. 7) It has great positive effects in the health of cancer, aids, and glaucoma patients.
Marijuana has been recognized for its healing capabilities and its medicinal value for over 5, 000 years, and we should continue to recognize it today. Works Cited 1. Randall, Robert C. Cancer Treatment & Marijuana Therapy.
Galen Press, 1990. 2. Grinspoon, Letter and James B. Bakalar. Marihuana: The Forbidden Medicine.
Yale University Press, 1977. 3. Randall, Robert C. Marijuana & Aids: Pot Politics & PWAs in America. Looking Glass Publications, 1992. 4. Zimmer, Lynn. Marijuana Myths Marijuana Facts: A Review of the Scientific Evidence.
Linde smith Center, 1997. 5. Mature, Mary L. Cannabis in Medical Practice: A Legal Historical and Pharmacological Overview of the Therapeutic use of Marijuana. McFarland & Company, 1997.
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Research essay sample on Glaucoma Patients Medicinal Value
