Name

: Amaryllis Anandini (NIM: 1113103000030) Putri Anggereini A. Stp (NIM: 11131030000 )

Class

: PSPD 2013

Topic of the essay : Should Marijuana be made legal for medical purposes?

Marijuana should be Legal for Medical Purpose

If we hear the word Marijuana there are many negative views about it. Teens who consume marijuana have negative stereotype. Some people consider bad behavior like free sex has something to do with consuming marijuana. Marijuana is included to some crimes. All of that negative view is because the effect of consuming marijuana. But, if we observe the dosage and the composition of marijuana, it has some advantage especially in medical sector. Many research have been done to examine marijuana as a medicine. Moreover, some countries have legalized marijuana for medical purpose. For example, a recent study conducted by a team from the University of Alberta suggest that cannabis turned out to contain active ingredients that can increase the appetite of cancer patients. The active gradients in marijuana called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can increase appetite and taste ability in patients with advanced cancer. Previously, marijuana has been known to reduce the symptoms of nausea in patients who suffer from cancer, so the use of THC can also serve as an appetite stimulant. The results showed 37% of cancer patients who took 2.5 milligrams of the compound in pill form of THC 2 or 3 times a day for 18 days, reported an increase in appetite compared to 30 % of patients taking placebo (empty medicine). Marijuana has a bad reputation for healthy people, but studies show that cannabis also has a good effect for cancer patients , said researcher Wendy Wismer, a food scientist at the

University of Alberta in Canada. Wismer said that cancer patients can enjoy the food and not feel hungry is a huge improvement to improving the quality of live. Also, marijuana can be a safe and effective treatment for the symptoms of AIDS, multiple sclerosis, pain, glaucoma, epilepsy, and other conditions. The researchers have been analyzed dozens of peer-reviewed studies, prominent medical organizations, major government reports, and the use of marijuana as medicine throughout world history. Some states in the United State of America has legalized the use of marijuana. Those states are Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Washington DC, Delaware,

Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont. And there are ten states with pending legislation to legalize medical marijuana. Some sophisticated hospitals in the world have been using marijuana for medical purpose too. For example Massachusetts General Hospital, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, New York Presbyterian , UCSF Medical Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Duke University Medical Center, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Barnes Jewish Hospital, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Mount Sinai Medical Center, and Stanford Hospital and Clinics. In conclusion, marijuana should be legalized for medical purpose. There already have been some researches about the advantage about using marijuana for medical purpose. Marijuana can be a safe and effective treatment for the symptoms of AIDS, multiple sclerosis, pain, glaucoma, epilepsy, and other conditions. Moreover, some countries and hospitals have legalized marijuana for medical purpose. Of course we must concern about the dosage of marijuana and consult with physician. And we do it for medical purpose, not for crime or entertainment.