...The topic of marijuana as a medical drug for treatment has sparked much controversy. Generally people tend to be fiercely on one side, for or against medicinal marijuana, while many remain undecided, believing much more research is needed. Recent studies on medicinal marijuana show benefits in its use for cancer, seizures, and post-traumatic stress disorder but conflicting reports cause doubt in its benefits. Some studies have found that both compounds found in marijuana tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is a psychoactive chemical and cannabidiol (CBD) which is a non-psychoactive chemical found in the marijuana plant, to have cancer fight properties. Cancer research has shown that marijuana can drastically reduce nausea associated with chemotherapy...
Words: 1379 - Pages: 6
...Legalization of marijuana in Oklahoma is one of the most controversy topics next to religion. Legalization causes many debates throughout the state and its citizens some voting for it and many voting against it. There have been many petitions that have gotten a great amount of the state’s citizen’s signatures voting for it to be legalized. I personally believe that the state should legalize the usage of medical and recreational marijuana and also decriminalize it too. Over the next few pages I will give my reasons and opinion on why I think marijuana should be legalized in the state of Oklahoma. I believe that marijuana should be legal in the state of Oklahoma because not only can it help people who have Alzheimer’s, cancer, diabetes, seizures and so on, it will never amount to the total deaths caused by the consumption of alcohol. According to cdc.gov there are approximately 88,000 deaths caused or related to the consumption of alcohol. There are no recorded deaths caused or influenced by the usage of marijuana known mostly for its medical term “Cannabis” according to the drugwarfacts.org. The usage of medical marijuana could be a valuable resource to the medical world in the state of Oklahoma. Marijuana could be an alternative medicine for patients who object to using pain killers to avoid the many side effects that...
Words: 831 - Pages: 4
...To Legalize or Not to Legalize Medical Marijuana Elizabeth Connell ENG/102 Research Writing To Legalize or Not to Legalize Medical Marijuana Even though marijuana is a drug, legalized marijuana for medicinal use will help patients through various medical issues. Marijuana has been proven to ease the side effects of chemotherapy, helps patients with severe migraine, and glaucoma patients. Many people are on the fence over the legalization of medical marijuana. There are several reasons to legalize marijuana for medical use, let me tell you about one of the reasons. Six-year-old Charlotte is a little girl who suffered from an untreatable form of epilepsy. By the time she was two years old, her parents had tried all medications to cure her some of which almost killed her. She suffered nearly fifty seizures a night. Her parents managed to get her a medical marijuana card in Colorado. Her parents reported her seizures stopped after her first dose of cannabis oil. Charlotte came out of her catatonic state and met her parents for the first time. CNN featured Charlotte and documented her story. Some parents have turned to medical marijuana to treat their children of the incapacitating epilepsy. Doctors are attributing the drug with reducing seizure activity and bringing alleviation to epileptics. According to an article written by K. Pickert (2014), an innovative clinical trial is about to commence. This clinical trial may finally afford some science to support their assertions...
Words: 1887 - Pages: 8
...With recent legalization of marijuana in some states will there be a widespread across the united states? While Federal and State Laws may prohibit Marijuana use, many states are Considering legalization and some have already done so with both medicinal and recreational, its Likely of a widespread across the United States. Federal government has set regulations that are developed, these regulations are followed by what is called the Controlled Substance Act (CSA), which does not recognize the difference in the use between recreational and medicinal use. (Americans For Safe Access, 2014) According to Americans for safe access(2014) The Controlled Substance Act has classified Marijuana as a schedule one drug, its a controlled substance that is treated as any other drugs such as heroin, or cocaine. Along with the CSA, there is the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), According to Dea.gov (n.d.) The Drug Enforcement Administration has a mission to “is to enforce the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States and bring to the criminal and civil justice system of the United States " Marijuana is illegal, and use is prohibited through federal laws, but many state laws have legalized the use for recreational and medicinal. State laws vary state to state. There are so many different laws on marijuana use, whether it be for recreational or medicinal. Many people feel that the laws on marijuana have to do with whether the state considering legalization...
Words: 1487 - Pages: 6
...Should marijuana be legalized for medicinal use? Cierra Cook Medical Ethics April 12, 2014 Marijuana has been hailed as a prescription for many ills and physicians once used it to stimulate appetite, relieve chronic pain, and treat asthma and migraines. But is marijuana really a medical miracle? If so, do its clinical benefits outweigh its drawbacks? Should we legalize marijuana? Is medical marijuana really worth the risks? These are the issues one needs to think about before making the decision to legalize marijuana. Marijuana is a drug that is derived from the dried and cut leaves of the hemp plant known as "cannabis sativa". Marijuana has a variety of street names such as "grass", "Mary Jane", "pot", "smoke", "reefer", "herb", and "weed". The active ingredient in marijuana is delta tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (3). Marijuana has been used throughout history and in many different cultures to change mood, perception, and consciousness (to get "high"). Its effects range from increasing creativity to provoking mystical experiences, to heightening the capacity to feel, sense and share. After alcohol, it is the most popular of what are called "recreational drugs." It has been used around the world for other purposes. In some primitive tribes of South America, Africa, and India, "cannabis" is used in religious ceremonies and for medical purposes. African mine workers have used it to ease the drudgery of their work and many Jamaicans use it at the end of the day to relieve...
Words: 1947 - Pages: 8
...the effect it has on Medicinal Marijuana users So far, twenty-five states have medicinal marijuana laws in place. Thirteen of those have state laws protecting patients rights, but only two, Colorado and Washington have also passed a law legalizing the recreational use of marijuana. Therefore, even though you can legally get a recommendation for medicinal marijuana in all twenty-five of those states, it is illegal, and punishable by federal law to possess it unless you live in Colorado or Washington. The United States Government, who owns patent # 6630507, which is the use of cannabinoids as an antioxidant and neuroprotectant, has classified marijuana as a schedule I drug. ie: Highly addictive with no medicinal value. Schedule I drugs can not be researched until they are reclassified as a schedule II drug. Although the Health and Human Services Department has acknowledged the benefits of medicinal marijuana use, the U.S. government continues to deny it. If...
Words: 1003 - Pages: 5
...Hoffman ENGL 1301 2012, June 26th Marijuana Throughout the history of America, many controversial subjects have been discussed. Common citizens and politicians discuss the legalization of marijuana. Currently legal in fourteen states across America, the government legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes. Also, marijuana has been decriminalized in several states. Marijuana should be legal because it has medicinal purposes, keeping it illegal costs more money, and people have the freedom to put into their bodies as they please. Marijuana should be legal because its been proven to have medicinal purposes. Using marijuana for medicinal purposes has been a subject of controversy ever since the Supreme Court cleared its usage (Kravets). Marijuana functions as a medicine because it speeds up the metabolism which helps to stimulate appetite. Marijuana also causes a feeling of euphoria, which eliminates the feeling of pain in cancer and AIDS patients. Glaucoma, an eye cancer, allows patients to treat the disease with marijuana. Colorado and California are the most known medicinal marijuana states. These two states have decriminalized the substance, which means if an individual gets caught with marijuana under the legal amount, a simple fine gets issued. Peter McWilliams states, “Marijuana is the finest anti-nausea medication known to science, and our leaders have lied about this consistently. [Arresting people for] medical marijuana is the most hideous example of government...
Words: 703 - Pages: 3
...11, 2014 Abstract: Marijuana legalization has been a controversial topic requiring a public policy solution in the political realm. There have been various arguments made for and against the legalization of marijuana. There are several states that have legalized marijuana use for medicinal purposes while others have let their guards down completely allowing citizens to use it not only medicinally, but recreationally as well. While the use of marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, there is much discussion by other states regarding policies to support marijuana legalization and many policy makers proactively planning for the possibility of such policies. Such discussion is necessary to ensure the policy implemented supports the intended use of the drug and to reduce illegal use that is not specified in the policy. Currently, there are a total of 21 states that have laws governing the use of marijuana in some form. The state of Florida has a policy in place that is closely monitored as it applies to patients suffering from severe medical conditions such as AIDS, cancer, and other diseases that leave patients in excruciating pain. This paper will discuss the great controversy of legalizing marijuana pointing out policies that are currently in place for the state of Florida and the need for small municipalities to establish policies to ensure proper monitoring of the drug. Problem Definition The legalization of marijuana is a controversial topic that...
Words: 2248 - Pages: 9
...Week 9 Research Paper COM/156 August 11, 2013 Week 9 Research Paper “Marijuana is the finest anti-nausea medication known to science, and our leaders have lied about this consistently. [Arresting people for] medical marijuana is the most hideous example of government interference in the private lives of individuals. It’s an outrage within an outrage within an outrage”. Peter McWilliams Author and Advocate for Medical Marijuana Medical Marijuana has found its place once again as the medical plant that is recognized for its healing potential and properties. How the Government has suppressed its positive potential and healing powers for over 25 years. With the help from many patients, loved ones, research departments and advocate groups to get the Government’s attention to see and understand that the terminally ill and the sick should not be treated as common criminals. They are only trying to find some peace and serenity in their last days. The struggle and fight that has been going on for the last 25 years against the Government. The people were finally heard, with the legalization of Medical Marijuana. The Government wants to regulate everything for their own best interest, the positive effect of decriminalizing marijuana for the terminally ill and the positive economic benefits for our community. Cannabis Sativa, Marijuana, Weed, Herb, Mary Jane these are just a few names that this little 5 leaf plant...
Words: 3304 - Pages: 14
...Marijuana is one of the most discussed and controversial topics in the U.S today. Many say that it has medicinal benefits and should be made legal. While many say that it has a “high potential for abuse” (Medical) and should remain illegal. Among the arguments, proponents for medical marijuana have presented a stronger argument for legalization through their use of research and evidence. Opponents of medical marijuana have given many reasons for why it should not be legalized. One of the main reasons they argue is that “Marijuana smoke contains known carcinogens and produces dependency in users” (Medical). In many studies it has shown that it does have some harm such as the harms associated with smoking, but the National Academy of Science affirmed that “marijuana’s short term medical benefits outweigh any smoking-related harms for some patients”(Medical). Though marijuana has been proven to be damaging to the lungs than tobacco, a study in 2006 “found no evidence that marijuana smokers had higher rates of lung cancer” (Medical Marijuana). The FDA has tested the effectiveness of marijuana and has found that the cannabinoids are helpful in “treating pain associated with chemotherapy, postoperative recovery, and spinal cord injury, as well as neuropathic pain, which is often experienced by patients with metastatic cancer, multiple sclerosis,[and] diabetes” (Medical Marijuana). There is also no evidence shown that patients who use marijuana become addicted. Though the opposing...
Words: 781 - Pages: 4
...Anthony Webb March 15, 2016 English Comp II “Do the benefits of medical marijuana justify its legality?” Cannabis, also known as marijuana and by numerous other names, is a preparation of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug or medicine. It is a hot commodity throughout the United States and even in other countries such as Canada, Mexico, etc. The use of marijuana for medicinal purposes has been used for centuries and can be documented as far back as to 2900 BC when Chinese emperor Fu Hsi referenced cannabis as a very popular medicine that possesses both yin and yang. There have been many documented occasions on those using marijuana for medicinal purposes. It is currently still being prescribed to patients for various reasons such as glaucoma, an antidepressant, help with anxiety, help control epileptic seizures, etc. Along with its medicinal purposes, many partake in the usage of smoking marijuana as a means of a recreational activity for such simple reasons as just a means to “get high” and seeing as it doesn’t do much harm. With its well-known reputation for being a trustworthy herb remedy and also being used for recreational purposes it leaves to question, do the benefits of medical marijuana justify its legality? I support this claim and I believe there are many logical and reasonable reasons why it should be legalized. Legalizing marijuana would have many positive outcomes especially on the United States. The legalization of weed could cause...
Words: 936 - Pages: 4
...Making Marijuana Legal By James Pizzato The topic of whether or not marijuana should be legal has been debated since the early 1900s, when it first became illegal. Before then, marijuana was never known as a recreational drug. Marijuana, in the form of hemp, was used in many resources such as fuel, textiles, and even in medicine. Although marijuana is legal in many states for medicinal purposes only, it is still considered a harmful drug. Making marijuana –which is more beneficial than any other legalized toxic drug—legal in the United States would reduce cost for war on drugs and increase government profit by selling it. History of marijuana use can date all the way back to 2700 B.C. It is noted in what could be the world’s oldest Pharmacopeia as having cures for many ailments such as malaria and absentmindedness. China used the drug in teas to help cure vomiting, stomachache and infections. The drug spread to India and became very popular in healing rituals. Continued use of the drug spread around the world, to Europe, South America, and Africa. Each country used marijuana for similar medicinal uses, as well as recreationally. Marijuana was legal in the United States up until the early 1900s. Previous to this, the drug was very widely known as a medicine. The drug was even noted in the United States Pharmacopeia up until 1942. Marijuana, as a recreational drug, was brought over by the Mexicans after the Mexican Revolution in 1910. Shortly after, the drug started...
Words: 1126 - Pages: 5
...enhancement to medical treatment plans for the terminally ill. Such arguments published by agencies such as the DEA, Federal Government, clinical research and science departments, and finally the patient. The strongest argument, that is, in its natural form, cannabis is a versatile and safe therapeutic active substance with medicinal values. Holistic Help for the Terminally Ill The use of cannabis to treat illnesses is still one of the most controversial issues between the American Medical Society and the nation’s legal system. Cannabis was used for many years to help in treatments for a variety of conditions and ailments and legal in the United States for different purposes of recreational and medicinal use until 1937 when the Marijuana Tax Act established by the Federal Government came into law. A well-known physician from the American Medical Association, Dr. William C. Woodward went before the judicial system, testifying against this act, his argument said, “this act will ultimately prevent any medicinal use of the cannabis for medical treatments (Schaffer Library, pg 1. 1938),” creating the controversy between the physicians, the research centers for specific diseases and the Drug Enforcement Agency. Furthermore, in...
Words: 3432 - Pages: 14
...ENGL 1100 Mr. Casey December 11, 2012 The Legalization of Marijuana Marijuana is currently the third most popularly used recreational drug in America. More than 100 million Americans have used the drug at least once in their lives. 14 million of those continue to use it regularly (About Marijuana). All of those Americans are breaking the law. Under federal law, marijuana is illegal in the United States. However, there is much controversy surrounding the illegality of the plant. The biggest controversy around marijuana is whether or not it should be legalized. Those in support of legalizing marijuana will bring up arguments proving the medicinal benefits of marijuana, the economic benefits, and the other positive effects it will have on the country. These arguments are backed by proven facts and studies. Because of this, the obvious answer is that marijuana should be legalized, taxed, and regulated in the United States. Marijuana has not always been illegal. It was used as medicine for hundreds of years. The first recorded medical use dates all the way back to 1500 BC in China. It wasn’t until the 1930’s that it first became illegal in the United States. In 1937, The Federal Bureau of Narcotics passed The Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 (Guither). This made it illegal to possess or transfer cannabis in the United States under federal law, excluding people in the big medical industries and for its industrial uses, and those people had to pay an annual tax. Even though there was a new...
Words: 1302 - Pages: 6
...Legalizing Marijuana: The ethical issue and problem Dorcas Rivera SOC 120 Introduction to Ethics & Social Responsibility Instructor: Robert Gala September 23, 2013 Legalizing Marijuana: The ethical issue and problem Marijuana is the most commonly abused drug. Therefore, legalizing marijuana, not only now, but for many years, has been the topic on rather or not it should be legalized. Even though marijuana has been legalized for medical use in 18 U.S. states, this has caused big controversy in our country and the ethical issue and problems it presents. In this article I will explain; what is marijuana, the risk of marijuana use, the effects of marijuana (in the brain and body), and the pros and cons of legalizing it. I will also explain how one of the classical theories, utilitarianism, would resolve the problem. On the other hand, I will contrast the response with the perspective brought to the issue by, ethical egoism. Lastly, will ended off choosing which of the two are closer to my view. 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, boom, Mary Jane, gangster, or chronic. 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...
Words: 1992 - Pages: 8
