Jijon 1

Diego Jijón

Martha Pico

ENG 1001E

26 March 2018

The Importance of Marijuana in Ecuador

According to the American Nurses Association: “Cannabis or marijuana has been

used medicinally for centuries. It has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of

symptoms and conditions.” Today there are a large number of diseases, including cancer,

glaucoma and neurological disorders like arthritis that medical marijuana therapy emerges as

a complementary option since it has been shown to have positives. Currently in Ecuador there

is no clear regulation for its medicinal use, which can legally affect patients who require it.

That is why medical marijuana must be legalized in Ecuador.

The correct and clear legalization will allow improving the quality of life of patients

who suffer from painful to chronic diseases or whose treatments generate various side effects,

however, “for cancer disease, it has been proven that medical marijuana decreases the nausea

and dizziness caused by chemotherapy” (Drug Policy Alliance). “Cannabis also has

antispasmodic properties and the ability to relieve pain, which benefits a large universe of

patients beyond those diagnosed with cancer" (American College of Physicians).

On the other hand, when the legalization is implemented, the acquisition of this

medicine can be safely regulated. This control will prevent people who require the plant from

having to obtain it under illegal standards, whose consequences can lead to incorrect doses,

low percentages of purity and even judicial penalties. For Robert Kampia, “It is interesting to

note that there has never been a death attributed to an overdose of marijuana. Clearly, most

prescription drugs are far more dangerous than marijuana.”

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There are opponents to the legalization of marijuana, due to the stigma that the plant

has related to its psychoactive effects, which produce behaviors that are contemptuously

regarded by society, however, is not a sufficient reason to prevent legalization because

“cannabis sativa plants that are used for therapeutic use have a low percentage of THC which

is the psychoactive chemical compound of the plant” (CNN). In addition, these plants have a

high percentage of cannabidiol compound that is not psychoactive and is the main

responsible for most of the positive effects of medicinal cannabis.

According to El Telegrafo, marijuana is the most trafficked product on the border with

Peru and Colombia. In an economic view, legalization of marijuana will reduce police costs,

also it will decrease the number of prisoners in jail causing savings for the Ecuadorian

government, and with that money fight for the real drug trafficking that is causing so many

murders during these days.

In conclusion, the legalization of medical marijuana will provide various benefits to

patients of various diseases. As progress is made in disseminating these advantages, the

creation of a clear and responsible law will be achieved. This instance will also allow us to

open doors to greater prejudice-free research in which we can discover, even greater benefits

that the use of cannabis sativa could provide.

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Works Cited

Alliance, Drug Policy. Medical Marijuana. 12 de March de 2018. Web. 26 de April de 2018.

Justicia, Redacción. «La marihuana es la droga que más se trafica en las ciudades de Ecuador.» El
Telegrafo 12 de January de 2016: 1. Digital.

Kampia, Robert. Procon.org. 19 de November de 2008. Web. 25 de April de 2018.

Largen, Christopher. Supporting Research into the Therapeutic Role of Marijuana. United Estates:
Book Pot, 2003. Web.

Nurses, California. American Nurses Association. 2008. 25 de April de 2018. Web

Struyk, Ryan. «Marijuana legalization by the numbers.» CNN 30 de March de 2018: 1. Web.