Con's Of Marijuana For Medicinal Purposes example essay topic

Title of speech: The Pro's And Con's Of Marijuana for Medicinal Purposes. Purpose of the speech: After hearing my speech the audience will be able to tell us What Is Marijuana? , Medical Uses of Marijuana, and also the pro's and con's of Marijuana. They will also be able to tell us the four main medical uses of marijuana for medicinal purposes. Types of Visuals: Three posters showing what Marijuana is.

The pro's of marijuana and the cons of Marijuana. Introduction: Marijuana is one of the oldest cultivated plants (Nah as 8). Since it became illegal in 1967, there have been questions of whether or not it is good for purposes, such as medicine, other than being a leisure drug. Debates between pro and con groups for the use of marijuana in the medical profession, have been heated and in recent months, referendums have been pasted in a least three states to make it accessible for medical treatment. Personally, I feel that marijuana has the potential to be a significant help with certain aliments, however, more research needs to be done to maximize its potential. I. What is marijuana? A) Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the hemp plant.

You may hear marijuana called by street names such as pot, herb, weed, grass, Pakalolo, Mary Jane, gangster, or chronic. There are more than 200 slang terms for marijuana. B) Sinsemilla (sin-see-me-yah; it's a Spanish word), hashish ("hash" for short), and hash oil are stronger forms of marijuana. C) All forms of marijuana are mind-altering. In other words, they change how the brain works.

They all contain THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the main active chemical in marijuana. They also contain more than 400 other chemicals. Marijuana's effects on the user depend on it's strength or potency, which is related to the amount of THC it contains (5). The THC content of marijuana has been increasing since the 1970's. II. Medical Uses Of Marijuana) Cancer Chemotherapy: often causes extreme nausea and vomiting o Active ingredient THC reduces vomiting and nausea, B) AIDS: related wasting Low appetite, loss of lean (muscle) mas so Improves appetite C) Pain and Muscle Spasms: Associated with epilepsy and multiple sclerosis o Reduces muscle spasms; may ease incontinence of bladder and bowel and relieve depression.

C) Glaucoma: A progressive form of blindness due to increased pressure inside the eyeball o When smoked, it reduces pressure within the eye. But it may also reduce Blood flow to the optic nerve, exacerbating the loss of vision. Pro's Of Marijuana It has little effect on major physiological function so No known case of a lethal overdose o Marijuana is also far less addictive and far less subject to abuse than many drugs now used as muscle relaxants, hypnotics, and analgesics IV. Cons Of Marijuana Short Term Effects: A) Low Dosage a. Euphoria, heighten of subjective sensory experiences, hallucinations, fantasies, paranoia, laid-back attitude) Moderate dosage a. Dryness of the mouth, reddening of the eyes, impaired motor skills and memory function, lapse of attention, frequent hunger attacks "munchies", and feelings of depersonalization Long Term Effects: A) Bronchitis, emphysema, bronchial asthma, soar throats, coughs, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, increased heart rate, increased risk to lungs, short term memory, suppresses immune system) reproductive system (decrease in testosterone, decreased sperm count, abnormality of sperm, impaired fetal growth and development), physical dependency, leads to subsequent use of cocaine and heroine Conclusion: However, to sum it all up, I basically feel that there are more positives about this drug than negatives.

Since, there are basically so many components in marijuana and so many types of marijuana, there can be a lot more research done to get the full potential the drug has to offer. The Federal government has definitely enough resources to do the proper research that is needed to pick apart what is good and what is bad. Since there is obviously therapeutic properties to this drug, I feel that if it at least gives a little relief to those who really need it then the proper authorities such continue to do what they have to too ensure that it continues. Though there is no concrete evidence so far that tells us that marijuana will be the best remedy for the aliments that has been suggested that it can relieve, there is enough proof that it helps in some ways.

Besides providing relief in major aliments such as cancer, glaucoma, and AIDS, marijuana is also good for minor things such as colds, cuts, and scraps. For the most part, marijuana users say that marijuana has enriched their lives. It enhances their creativity and provides insight. 'It's a source of positive pleasure' (Abel 186).

And if that is all the sick patients' experience in the last days of their lives, then so be it.