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For the last fifty years there have been various debates over the legalization of cannabis sativa, more commonly known as marijuana, for it s medicinal potential. Many people in society are aware of the harmful and long-term effects of marijuana, and therefore are strongly opposed the drug. What people and governments around the world fail see is that marijuana has plenty of benefits, and could in fact, serve as a useful drug in the medical field. There have been millions of dollars spent to research the effects of marijuana and the results conclude that this illegal drug could serve a substantial role in the medical world. It is clear from available studies and rapidly accumulating evidence that marijuana is helpful in the treatment of a number of serious illnesses and is less toxic and cheaper to produce than many conventional medicines for which it can replace. In fact, In some cases, marijuana appears more effective than the traditional available drugs it could replace.
The active chemical that is stirring up the medical world is called THC (tetrahydrocarbinol). In 1985, the government recognized that marijuana might have some therapeutic effects (Science World). Since then THC has been synthetically duplicated into pill form (Marinol) but is not as effective as smoked marijuana. Not only is the pill more expensive to produce, but it has also proven to cause high levels of anxiety and depression. Another problem with the pill, is that it is commonly prescribed to relieve nausea, usually as a result of chemotherapy, and since the patients are vomiting every twenty minutes the can not keep the pill in their system (War 149) Marijuana contains over 200 chemicals in it, and since Marinol only contains one, THC, it does not have the same effect on patients as smoking one marijuana cigarette. Marijuana has been used by physicians for at least 5000 years.
Although there is no proof that it completely cures patients from any ailments, it does dramatically relieve the symptoms. Until 1937, marijuana was legal for all, and in 1941 the Federal Bureau of Narcotics out law doctors from prescribing it to ill patients. But in 1996, Arizona and California passed laws that allow all doctors to prescribe or recommend marijuana for their patients. Since then, 35 states plus Washington DC have passed bills that support the use of medical marijuana.
The problem with these bills is that possession, use, and cultivation of cannabis is still a violation of Federal Law... The therapeutic applications of cannabis include consumption of the herb for: AIDS wasting syndrome, appetite loss, arthritis, cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy side effects, chronic pain, cramps and muscle spasms, depression, epilepsy and convulsion disorders, glaucoma, insomnia, migraine headaches, multiple sclerosis and spasticity disorders, nausea, PTSD, rheumatism, spinal cord injury, stress-related problems, vomiting, and many other conditions (Norris 81). Marijuana has shown to be helpful in the treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy treatment. In a 1990 survey, 44 % of doctors that treat cancer patients said that they have illegally recommended that their patients smoke marijuana to relieve their suffering. In this same survey, 54 % favored making marijuana a legal, prescription medicine. In a 1988 study by Dr.
Vincent Vinciguerra, 78 % of patients that showed no response to standard drugs improved favorably when they smoked marijuana (Workshop 14). Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the United States, and can be treated with marijuana. It has been accepted by most of the medical community that marijuana reduces pressure in the eyes, which is the main focus of the disease. It was first found, in a study by Robert S. Header, that the pressure dropped significantly when treated with marijuana or THC.
Of the eight patients that legally receive marijuana from the government, three use it to treat glaucoma Medical marijuana is commonly used by AIDS patients. 80 % of the San Francisco Cannabis Buyers Club s customers use marijuana to treat AIDS. Marijuana treats nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss caused by the disease itself, AIDS Wasting Syndrome, or treatment with AZT and other drugs (Armentano 36). Marinol is currently, effectively being used to treat AIDS Wasting Syndrome. Researchers don t know if marijuana has more of an effect than Marinol, but it is preferred by many patients. In modern medicine, the first major use of marijuana as a medicine was treating convulsions.
It has been reported, more recently, to treat epilepsy. In numerous animal studies, marijuana has shown to reduce or even stop convulsions. For some people, nothing else will work to reduce their convulsions. Cannabiniol, an ingredient of marijuana not found in Marinol, is thought to be the chemical that helps reduce convulsions. In a survey of 308 epileptic patients, it was found that use of marijuana appeared to delay the first onset of complex partial seizures (Illegal Drugs 186). Marijuana is commonly used to ease chronic pain caused by serious injuries and Sir William Osler considered it as the best remedy for a migraine headache.
In the 19 th century, Dr. John Russell prescribed that Queen Victoria smoke marijuana to treat menstrual cramps (NORML 2). Patients have reported that marijuana helps ease pain. There is very little research on the use of marijuana as a painkiller, because they use stronger opiates, such as morphine. Marijuana has proved to be as effective codeine. There are many other medical uses for smoked marijuana that have not been studied very thoroughly.
Patients use marijuana to treat many things, such as inflammatory diseases (arthritis, rheumatism, and Crohn s disease), depression and mental illness (many schizophrenics need to be hospitalized less when they smoke marijuana), as well as others (Workshop 6 - 7). Marijuana has been proven to relieve asthma attacks. Marijuana can also be a substitute for more dangerous prescriptions. Marijuana has a history of being a very useful drug. For thousands of years to treat a variety of illnesses. It is also very safe.
No one has ever died of an overdose of marijuana. A low dosage creates effects such as: feeling of well-being, relaxation and sleepiness. Marijuana would be safe for medicinal use because the dosage needed to treat the illnesses less than it is used to get high (War 42). Marijuana is also safer than some drugs they use for the same problems.
Since no one has ever died of a marijuana overdose, marijuana is safer than aspirin. Every year, one thousand people die of an aspirin overdose. The side effects of aspirin can injure or even kill younger children. Marijuana has hardly any harmful effects. Marijuana seems to be a very safe medicine. The United States government continues to ignore that marijuana has many medical benefits, and is a legitimate prescription for some people.
Legalization of marijuana would be very beneficial. 344
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