Legalize Marijuana for Medical Use
by
Amber Cupp
English 289, Section 93
Ms. Nancy E. Hindle
Day Month Year
Legalize Marijuana for Medical Purposes
Thesis: Marijuana should be legalized for medical purposes
Introduction
History of marijuana use for medical purpose
Potential treatments
Side effects of marijuana
Conclusion
Marijuana should be legalized for medical purposes? Why would someone want to do
such a thing? What benefits could it possibly offer? Doesn’t marijuana lead to the use of
stronger drugs? Let’s take a closer look. It has the potential to be used as a treatment for patients
who do not respond to conventional treatments. There are fewer side effects than commonly
prescribed medications. There is no scientific proof that marijuana leads to the use of stronger
drugs. Also, smoking marijuana is less harmful than breathing outdoor air or smoking a
cigarette. Let’s look at this more in depth.
Marijuana has been used for centuries for medical purposes (Lamarine, Journal of Drug
Education). “Around 2000 B.C., the Egyptians used cannabis to treat sore eyes. A millennium
later, doctors in India could be found mixing the weed with milk to use as an anesthetic. In 200
B.C., the Greeks used marijuana to remedy earaches. Pot even enjoyed its freedom in America's
early days. Farmers in colonial Jamestown were urged to grow hemp, and 19th century medical
journals praised the plant's medical effectiveness” (Webley, Time). It was used to treat several
different ailments in China, Asia, and India as early as 2737 B.C. As time went on, the uses for
marijuana grew from being used in just Chinese Traditional medicine. Some cultures used it for
stress relief and others used it for religious purposes (Stack and Suddath, Time). As we can see,
using marijuana for medical purposes is not a new concept.
What symptoms can marijuana help alleviate? As more studies are done, it is being
found where medical marijuana can be used to help patients with different types of illnesses
(Bottorff et al, 770). “The accumulated data indicates a potential therapeutic value for
cannabinoid drugs, particularly for symptoms such as pain relief, control of nausea and vomiting,
and appetite stimulation” (Pies, Psychiatric Times). It can be used as a treatment for patients
who do not respond to conventional treatments, for pain, nausea, muscle spasm, anorexia and
many more conditions (Lamarine, Journal of Drug Education). Weight gain can be seen in
patients that have wasting related to HIV/Aids, and in those that have no appetite at all. It
decreases the nausea in patients so that they can eat without throwing up. Marijuana binds with
certain receptors in the brain which allows pain relief for those who have chronic pain. For those
of us who do not have to face these difficulties on a daily basis it may seem trivial. Being
nauseous all the time, or in pain all the time, it makes a person tired and irritable. It makes it
difficult to just accomplish simple daily tasks.
The side effects of marijuana are less severe than most medications. Megace is an
appetite stimulant used for cancer and Aids patients and others that have a poor appetite. One of
the major side effects is blood clots (Mosby’s 2012 Nursing Drug Reference, 735). If a blood
clot goes to the heart or lungs may be fatal. Most pain medications, which are controlled
substances, have a side effect of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, may cause dizziness, drowsiness,
and the list goes on (Mosby’s 2012 Nursing Drug Reference, 735). With the controlled pain
medication, there is a chance of overdose with the possibility of death. Marijuana is in your
system for two to four hours. It does slow your response time, causes anxiety in some people,
and visual disturbances on occasions. However, there has never been a reported case where
someone has died from a marijuana overdose. “An overdose is nearly impossible” (Science
News, "Marijuana Report: Another Approach.").
Marijuana has long history of being used for medical purposes. There are many
symptoms that it can help relieve. There are times when conventional medications are not
appropriate or just not effective. In these cases what do you do? Do you just tell the patient
sorry you have to suffer? Is that truly ethical? There are fewer side effects from using marijuana
than using most prescribed medications. If prescribed and monitored by a physician, what would
it hurt? Who would it hurt? Those suffering would have relief, and their loved ones wouldn’t
have to see them in constant pain. Therefore, marijuana should be legalized for medical
purposes.
Works Cited
1) Bottorff, Joan L.; Bissell, Laura J. L.; Balneaves, Lynda G.; Oliffe, John L.; Kang, H. Bindy
K.; Capler, N. Rielle; Buxton, Jane A.; O''Brien, Robin K.. "Health Effects of Using Cannabis
for Therapeutic Purposes: A Gender." Substance Use & Misuse 46.6 (2011): 769-780. Academic
Search Premier. Web. 6 June 2012.
2) Pies, Ronald. "Medical Marijuana: The Institute Of Medicine Report." Psychiatric Times 27.1
(2010): 8. Academic Search Premier. Web. 1 June 2012.
3) Lamarine, Roland J. "Marijuana: Modern Medical Chimaera." Journal Of Drug Education
42.1 (2012): 1-11. Academic Search Premier. Web. 1 June 2012.
4) "Marijuana Report: Another Approach." Science News 109.8 (1976): 119. Academic Search
Premier. Web. 9 June 2012.
5) Webley, Kayla. "Brief History." Time 175.24 (2010): 22. Academic Search Premier. Web. 9
June 2012.
6) Roth, Linda. Mosby's 2012 nursing drug reference. 25th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Elsevier/Mosby,
2012. 735. Print.
7) "Marijuana: Possible Use As Medicine." Science News 108.17 (1975): 262-263. Academic
Search Premier. Web. 9 June 2012.
8) Stack, Patrick, and Claire Suddath. "A Brief History of Medical Marijuana." time 29 Oct.
2001: n. pag. Time Health. Web. 8 June 2012.