It is known that there has been an ongoing debate about legalizing marijuana for medical use, but why? Is it because legislature has not given this problem as much attention as medical professionals? Many who are for it says that it is not addictive, hard to overdose on unlike other illegal drugs, and is very useful medicinal wise. Although, those who are against it say otherwise, calling it a gateway drug. The fight is over how the state and federal laws differ, what the rules for physicians prescribing it would be, and where to get it. For many years research has been done, testing the use of medical marijuana and seeing if it really helps and is really worth it. So far 14 states, including New Mexico have legalized marijuana for medical use. The reason marijuana is still illegal in many states is because even though state laws allow it for medical use, federal law still classifies it as a “schedule I drug” (Hoffman & Weber, 2010). Also there has been no medical use accepted by the FDA. And even though some physicians recommend its use, they could still be arrested and prosecuted for “aiding and abetting” (Hoffman & Weber, 2010) against the federal law. But for those states that have legalized it, patients could qualify, with or without a card, and be able to use marijuana for certain medical conditions. Many physicians do not know what stance to take on this issue because even if it is legal within the state, they do not want to risk getting their license taken away
There are millions of people in the United States that smoke marijuana, legal or not in the state they live in, they will get their hands on it. This plant is a mixture of dried leaves and flowers of cannabis sativa which is a hemp plant. The human brain has similar compounds relating to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which is the main ingredient in cannabis has been proven to help patients in the hospital with pain and nausea. There are studies that show marijuana has a lot of health benefits, such as treating Glaucoma, may reverse the the carcinogenic effects of tobacco and improve lung health, and help control epileptic seizures. Since marijuana has been always looked at as a drug to people everywhere, legalizing it has been an uphill
Everyday patients are visiting their doctors in a desperate search for help with their problems, some physical and some psychological. Far too often in today’s troubled society a doctor is quick to hand their patient a prescription for a powerful and potentially harmful substance. The prescriptions could include drugs such as benzodiazepines for psychological problems and epilepsy, or opioids for pain. Both of those substances can have substantially dangerous and adverse effects and could lead to addiction and even death. Marijuana is a much safer and more naturally occurring substance that can be used for all of the previously listed purposes.
While the American Medical Association, or AMA, has put in place a petition to review marijuana’s status as a Schedule 1 substance and instead categorize it as a Schedule 2 controlled substance, the federal classification and legality of the drug has remained stagnant (Hoffman, Weber, 2010). Because of this, research into the plausible uses of marijuana has been restricted and kept from blossoming into what some would consider the next big thing in medical science. Marijuana has been proven to aid in discomfort from upwards of 100 different conditions, but its use is currently centered around only a few very serious diseases (Doctors, 2013). While it can be argued that the cons of marijuana outweigh the pros, this argument is mundane, as it is attributed to the smoking of dried herb. Nearly all medical states, excluding the select few who have legalized recreational marijuana, solely prescribe and recommend cannabis or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) oil to patients.
An amazing 76% of American doctors and 66% of British voters approve of medical marijuana use to help cure or treat symptoms of these diseases. Not to mention, medical marijuana has a shockingly low potential for abuse, especially when compared with other, more extreme, yet legal, pain relievers. It has been proven multiple times that this is true. The American College of Physicians stated in 2008 that “ACP urges review of marijuana’s status as a schedule I drug and its reclassification... regarding marijuana’s safety and efficacy in some clinical conditions,” (Source 2). This proves that it is far less harmful and addictive than other schedule one drugs like heroin and LSD.
Although it is legal in twenty-six states and the District of Columbia currently have laws legalizing marijuana in some form it needs to be legal in all states. Marijuana can help treat different health issues such as posttraumatic disease, Crohn’s disease, and multiple sclerosis (19 Primary Pros and Cons of Legalizing Weed). The use of medical marijuana should be a federal whereas recreational use should be up to the states. Marijuana can also be used for cancer. The marijuana would help cope with the pain and nausea that comes with chemotherapy.
Twenty states have legalized medical marijuana, and two states have even legalized marijuana for recreational use (Congressional Digest, 2014). There is a conflict as states laws do not trump federal laws (Congressional Digest, 2014). According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “medical marijuana is a term that refers to using the whole unprocessed plant or extracts to treat a disease or symptom” (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2015). The FDA has not approved marijuana in the plant form because there have not been enough studies for them to approve it. The FDA has approved two medications that contain cannabinoid in a pill (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2015).
Since it is listed as a schedule I substance, the government is skeptical about giving it to just anyone. Opponents of medical marijuana argue that it is too dangerous to use, it isn’t approved by the FDA and that various legal drugs make marijuana use unnecessary. They state that marijuana is addictive, leads to harder drug use, interferes with fertility, and injures the lungs, immune system, and brain. They say that medical marijuana is a front for drug legalization and recreational
States are worried that people who get the medical marijuana card will abuse it and get more than needed or sell it for money. While people may abuse their card just to get high or make money, there is a limit on how much a person with the card. The limit depends on the state and it only exceeded if the doctor recommends it and the state approves it. There are also laws one when and where the marijuana can be in possession. Although these problems have serious concerns, people are making a bigger deal out of them than is
Marijuana has existed for many years and has remained illegal in many states but has become legalized for recreational use in four states, which are Washington, Oregon, Colorado and Alaska. Medical Marijuana has become legalized in thirteen states, some of which are California, New Jersey, Michigan, etc. That signifies that medical marijuana is legalized in twenty five percent of the states, and that recreational marijuana is legalized in less than one percent of the states. Some people deem that recreational marijuana should be legalized for numerous reasons including the positive overall health effects they suspect that it provides. Opposing that argument, Recreational marijuana should not be legalized in all fifty states for countless reasons
Marijuana should be a medical option. Medical marijuana refers to the use of marijuana to treat diseases or improve health. The use of marijuana as a medicine has not been tested due to the restriction of the drug. Marijuana should be a medical option because Marijuana can relieve certain types of pain, such as nausea, vomiting and other symptoms caused by such illnesses as multiple sclerosis, cancer and AIDS. Marijuana has been accepted as capable of relieving the distress of great numbers of very ill people doing so with safety under Medical super vision.
Medical marijuana is currently legalized for the treatment of many diseases including cancer, anxiety and other chronic related diseases. However, with marijuana being classified as a schedule-1 drug, a barrier seems to have been created. This classification limits further research on the old drug 's full potential and capabilities. Despite this, people are fast appreciating the benefits that come with the use of medical cannabis. Moreover, people are looking forward to the implementation of recreational marijuana use.
Please outline at least 3 policies at either the federal, NYS law, or local level. Also keep in mind courts may have ruled on this issue as well you may include that in your response (Anything on a government published website is considered “policy”). The New York State Assembly easily approved a law legalizing medical marijuana last Tuesday, and there appear to be enough votes to pass similar legislation in the State. Sources Used: "A Vote on Medical Marijuana." New York Times, 2 June 2014, p. A20(L).
Marijuana has been declared a “Schedule I” drug, meaning that it is federally illegal to use, but it is legal in 29 states and the District of Columbia (Washington D.C.) for medical use. Marijuana is legal for medical use in so many places because it is very useful for relief. Marijuana can decrease chances of inflammation, therefore reduces pain. Nerve damage - or neuropathy - , which is commonly associated chemotherapy, often brings weakness and pain. Marijuana has been proved to provide relief from these pains.
Legalizing marijuana would fill the demand and would benefit local and state production. For decades marijuana was considered to be a dangerous drug, leading to criminal behavior and personal disgrace. “It is time to tax and regulate marijuana like alcohol. It is time to end the arrests of so many people and the destruction of so many lives for possessing marijuana”- Bernie Sanders.
Marijuana, morphine, heroin, and cocaine continued to be used when the Prohibition was over in 1933. In 1937, 46 states decided to ban the use of marijuana for the reason that it was dangerous and a potential drug for addiction. Fast forward 60 years, states began to legalize marijuana for medical use in the 2000s. Although there is a chance for addiction, medical marijuana should be legalized in all states because it has accumulating health benefits, is administering relief to pain, and is less threatening than most opioids and painkillers. A multitude of people who have been using marijuana for medical purposes have reported “no ill effects, and only positive, life-enhancing results” (“Is Medical”).