Marijuana?

The word Marijuana narrates dried flowers, seeds, grass, and is a common name used for
a drag made from Cannabis sativa- a plant. When talking medical marijuana could this be
a medical miracle or a medical disaster? Many States are fighting hard to ensure laws to
keep a drug that is presumed dangerous out of the hands of individuals who would seek
to use it, so as to better protect the integrity of the legal justice system and the population
at large. However Marijuana has been smoked for its medicinal properties for centuries.
Preclinical, clinical, and anecdotal reports suggest numerous potential medical uses for
marijuana. Efforts to legalize marijuana as medicine in the United States have grown
significantly in recent years. Approximately one fourth of the states have passed
legislation or ballot issues allowing marijuana to be prescribed within that state. Although
medical marijuana is gaining acceptance across the United States we still have to answer
the question, of whether children should have access to medical marijuana, and whether
they face the same issues as adults. "The evidence is overwhelming that marijuana can
relieve certain types of pain, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms caused by such
illnesses as multiple sclerosis, cancer and AIDS -- or by the harsh drugs sometimes used
to treat them. And it can do so with remarkable safety. Indeed, marijuana is less toxic
than many of the drugs that physicians prescribe every day." (Elders, 2004).
Proponents of Legalizing Medical Marijuana
The intensive debate about marijuana focuses on the subject whether medical marijuana
should be legally allowed in the society or not? Proponents of the issue favoring
legalization of marijuana assert that Medical marijuana is proven to be effective in the
treatment of a variety of debilitating medical conditions. Some of these conditions
include, Glaucoma, carcinogenic effects of tobacco, help to control epileptic seizures,
help with symptoms of Dravets syndrome, the spread of cancer, anxiety and depression,
and many many more.
A vast majority of Americans recognize the legitimate medical benefits of marijuana, as
well as a large number of medical organizations. It is far less harmful and poses fewer
negative side effects than most prescription drugs especially painkillers and patients

often find it to be a more effective treatment. They claim that Regulating the cultivation
and sale of medical marijuana would ensure patients have legal, safe, and reliable access
to medical marijuana. Patients should not have to resort to the potentially dangerous
underground market to access their medicine. By regulating medical marijuana, we can
ensure it is free of pesticides, molds, and other impurities, and patients will know exactly
what they are getting. Three out of four Americans believe marijuana has legitimate
medical uses and that people with serious illnesses should have safe and legal access to it.
Twenty-two states and Washington, D.C. have adopted laws that allow people with
certain medical conditions to use medical marijuana, and similar laws are being
considered in states around the country. (6: Pew Research). As far as the issue regarding
children having access to medical marijuana although proponents argue that there is
nothing showing that there are positive affects, more importantly there is virtually no data
showing that there are safety issues with children using marijuana or cannabis for
medical purposes. (Rollins, 2014). Another major concern is whether medical marijuana
is dangerous to our health. There have been many findings such as this to prove that the
risk of danger is very low.

"[T]here is very little evidence that smoking marijuana as a means of taking it represents
a significant health risk. Although cannabis has been smoked widely in Western countries
for more than four decades, there have been no reported cases of lung cancer or
emphysema attributed to marijuana. I suspect that a day's breathing in any city with poor
air quality poses more of a threat than inhaling a day's dose, which for many ailments is
just a portion of a joint, of marijuana." (Grinspoon, 2006).

Arguments against Legalizing Medical Marijuana

Opponents of legalizing medical marijuana are of the view that it is a mind-altering drug
and as such should not be allowed to become a legal drug. Many opponents argue that the
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with most national medical associations
including the American Medical Association (AMA), American Academy of Pediatrics,
National Institutes of Health, Institute of Medicine, American Cancer Society, National
Cancer Institute and National Multiple Sclerosis Society does not support smoked
marijuana as medicine. Critics agree that marijuana is not the most dangerous of the
commonly abused drugs, but that is not to say that they believe it is safe. Critics believe
that indeed, marijuana shares more in common with the hard drugs than it does with
alcohol. Critics also argue that the use of marijuana can most definitely increase the risk
of Lung Cancer (with a 97% confidence interval.) Every joint smoked a day can increase
the chance of lung cancer by 8%. While some studies show no connection between
smoking cannabis and getting lung cancer, others show that every 3 joints a day increases
the risk by the equivalent of 20 cigarettes a day (4: BBC News.) Controversy regarding
medical marijuana for children continues to be a largely debated issue; Opponents say
there has not been enough scientific research to support prescribing cannabis to children.
Furthermore, they argue that there is no known pediatric dosing for any medical
marijuana product. Thus using medical marijuana in pediatric and adolescent populations
is completely trial and error. Additionally, it is unknown what, if any, long-term effects
and side effects occur in pediatric and adolescent populations. Cognitive impairment is of
special concern. Finally, opponents argue that the younger an adolescent starts using
substances, whether tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs including marijuana, the more likely
they are to develop dependence on, or addiction to, that substance. (16: US News)
Conclusion
Marijuana is a fascinating plant, with a wide range of uses. Its use in medicine is
currently being researched all around the world, and there are many situations in which it
can be helpful. The paper has focused on presenting arguments for and against legalizing
medical marijuana. Although, there are some advantages of not legalizing marijuana in
the country, there is supported medical evidence that medical marijuana can positively
affect health as well as social problems and, therefore it is recommended that medical
marijuana should be legalized in the nation.

photo credit: Ravenhurst, via Wikimedia Commons.

Works Cited
"Cannabis Smoke 'worse' than Tobacco." BBC News. BBC, 11 Nov. 2002. Web. 23 Oct.
2014.
McMurray, Colleen, Medicinal Marijuana: Is It What the Doctor Ordered?, Gallup,
December 16, 2003.
Pew Research Center, Majority Now Supports Legalizing Marijuana, April 13, 2013: 6.
ProCon.org. "Lester Grinspoon, MD." ProCon.org. 29 Jan. 2009. Web. 29 Oct. 2014.
ProCon.org. "Joycelyn Elders, MD." ProCon.org. 1 Oct. 2008. Web. 29 Oct. 2014.
Rollins, Judy A. "Pot for Tots: Children and Medical Marijuana." PEDIATRIC NURSING
40.2 (2014): n. pag. Web.
U.S. News Digital Weekly. 12/28/2012, Vol. 4 Issue 52, p16-16. 1p.