A Position Paper On Legalizing Marijuana For Medical Purposes
A Position Paper On Legalizing Marijuana For Medical Purposes
A Position Paper On Legalizing Marijuana For Medical Purposes
Marijuana is a dried flowers, seeds, grass, and is a common name used for a
drug made from Cannabis sativa, a plant that changes mindset and the
perception of everything perceived by the brain that can cause illness and
addiction that is why it should not be legalized as medical purposes.
There is some research that indicates marijuana may help decrease nausea,
stimulate appetite, and decrease pain. The research is limited, and the Food
and Drug Administration along with most national medical associations
including the American Medical Association, American Academy of
Paediatrics, National Institutes of Health, Institute of Medicine, American
Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute and National Multiple Sclerosis
Society do not support smoked marijuana as medicine. However, the AMA has
adopted a resolution calling for further clinical research into any therapeutic
benefits of cannabinoid-based medicines. The AMA emphasizes that this
resolution should not be viewed as endorsing the state marijuana as medicine
programs. Leading medical organizations note that safer treatment options
exist. In addition, the FDA has approved a synthetic version of THC, the
psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Named Marinol, it is taken orally. It is a
Schedule II drug and is available by prescription in all 50 states.
Marijuana is one of the most abused drugs in the world. There is an ever-
growing gap between the latest science about marijuana and the myths
surrounding it. Some people think that since it is legal in some places, it must
be safe. But your body doesn’t know a legal drug from an illegal drug. It only
knows the effect the drug creates once you have taken it. Marijuana comes
from the Indian hemp plant, and the part that contains the “drug” is found
primarily in the flowers commonly called the “buds” and much less in the
seeds, leaves, and stems of the plant. Marijuana, when sold, is a mixture of
dried out leaves, stems, flowers and seeds of the hemp plant. It is usually
green, brown or gray in color. Hashish is tan, brown or black resin that is
dried and pressed into bars, sticks or balls. When smoked, both marijuana and
hashish give off a distinctive, sweet odor.
The immediate effects of taking marijuana include rapid heartbeat,
disorientation, lack of physical coordination, often followed by depression or
sleepiness. Some users suffer panic attacks or anxiety. But the problem does
not end there. According to scientific studies, the active ingredient in
cannabis, THC, remains in the body for weeks or even months.
Marijuana smoke contains 50% to 70% more cancer causing substances than
tobacco smoke. One major research study reported that a single cannabis joint
could cause as much damage to the lungs as up to five regular cigarettes
smoked one after another. Long-time joint smokers often suffer from
bronchitis, an inflammation of the respiratory tract.
The drug can affect more than your physical health. Studies in Australia in
2008 linked years of heavy marijuana use to brain abnormalities. This is
backed up by earlier research on the long-term effects of marijuana, which
indicate changes in the brain similar to those caused by long-term abuse of
other major drugs. And a number of studies have shown a connection between
continued marijuana use and psychosis.
Marijuana can change the structure of sperm cells, deforming them. Thus even
small amounts of marijuana can cause temporary sterility in men. Marijuana
use can also disrupt a woman’s menstrual cycle. Studies show that the mental
functions of people who have smoked a lot of marijuana tend to be
diminished. The THC in cannabis disrupts nerve cells in the brain,
affecting memory.
Cannabis is one of the few drugs that causes abnormal cell division, which
leads to severe hereditary defects. A pregnant woman who regularly smokes
marijuana or hashish may give birth prematurely to an undersized,
underweight baby. Over the last 10 years many children of marijuana users
have been born with reduced initiative and lessened abilities to concentrate
and pursue life goals. Studies also suggest that prenatal (before birth) use of
the drug may result in birth defects, mental abnormalities and increased risk
of leukemia (cancer of the bone marrow) in children.
The paper has focused on presenting arguments for and against on legalizing
marijuana. Although, there are some advantages of legalizing marijuana in the
country, but the harms and dangers of legalization, supported by medical
evidence affecting health as well as social problems, are significant and,
therefore it is recommended that marijuana should not be legalized in the
nation.