Marijuana For Medical Purposes example essay topic

The debate of the benefits of medical marijuana has become a worldwide issue. The United States, Canada, England, and Australia have on going clinical trials exploring the possible medical uses and benefits of marijuana. Does marijuana have significant medical uses and could it be beneficial, for those patients suffering from chronic pain and disease, if legalized for medical purpose? Marijuana has an extensive history of medical and practical uses, but also wide spread abuse. In China nearly 5000 years ago, it was grown for its fiber and the oil in its seed, and in the Middle East it was valued for its "curative" properties.

Marijuana was a popular therapeutic drug in the United States until congress passed the Controlled Substances Act of 1970; this placed marijuana in the Schedule I list. Schedule I drugs are classified as having a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in the United States, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision. By the 1970's marijuana had become a "recreational" drug and was illegal. Although classified as illegal, several research projects were being conducted and continue. The compound THC was identified in the early 60's and has been developed into a synthetic THC, Dronabinal, used in oral medications. Research into effects the synthetic THC has on pain and nausea in various conditions has proven the medical capability of THC.

Dronabinal and smoked THC are indicated for patients suffering from AIDS related wasting, multiple sclerosis, and nausea due to chemotherapy, glaucoma, and migraine headaches. Side effects ranged from anxiety and panic, to depression and impaired motor abilities, which are risks with many medications. Due to the difficulty patient's experience with on-set and duration of Dronabinal doses, many have turned to smoking marijuana. Research is being made into the development of other cannabinoid drugs however it is costly and strictly regulated by the government. Marijuana's medical benefits need to be addressed and further research conducted. The benefits of legalizing marijuana for medical purposes is huge for those suffering from chronic pain and disease, many for whom traditional therapy has failed.

The Drug Enforcement Administration's Chief Administrative Law Judge, Francis L. Young ruled: "Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known, it would be unreasonable, arbitrary and capricious for the DEA to continue to stand between those sufferers and the benefits of this substance". Without legalization many pain sufferers have no choice but to illegally obtain and smoke marijuana to alleviate their symptoms. Legalization for medical purposes would make it easier for patients to manage pain and could also speed research. More than 35 states currently have laws stating marijuana's medical value; nine have gone on to legalize medical marijuana. While I am concerned over the possible legalization, and the impact it will have on society, I have been witness to the pain and suffering associated with cancer, and support the medical initiatives. Marijuana has the capacity to alleviate chronic pain, through research and time; synthetic THC will be perfected and widely prescribed; however until such time medical marijuana should be accepted as a therapeutic drug.