FREE ESSAY ON MEDICINAL MARIJUANA

MEDICINAL MARIJUANA

Marijuana when used in the medical sense is beneficial to not only the patient's health
but to their financial status as well. In this report you'll see many reasons why we
believe this. Medical marijuana is used in many treatments. We are not obviously the only
people who believe this either. In the last 20 years, 36 states have passed some form of
legislation recognizing the medical value of marijuana. In 1996, voters in both Arizona
and California passed laws allowing the medical use of marijuana. In 1998 Alaska,
Washington and Oregon passed medical use marijuana laws, and in 1999 Maine passed a
similar law (Grinspoon, 5). 
The chronic effects of marijuana are of greater concern for medical use and fall into two
categories: the effects of chronic smoking, and the effects of THC. Marijuana smoking is
associated with abnormalities of cells lining the human respiratory tract. Marijuana
smoke, like tobacco smoke, is associated with increased risk of cancer, lung damage, and
poor pregnancy outcomes. It is the most widely used illicit drug, marijuana is
predictably the first illicit drug most people Although studies all suggest that
marijuana smoke is an important risk factor for the development of respiratory cancer,
proof of this is yet to be seen (Iverson, 21).
Marijuana is not a completely benign substance. However, except for the harms associated
with smoking, the adverse effects of marijuana use are within the range of effects
tolerated for other medications. The harmful effects to individuals from the perspective
of possible medical use of marijuana are not necessarily the same as the harmful physical
effects of drug abuse (Iverson, 24). 
For most people, the primary adverse effect of acute marijuana use is diminished
psychomotor performance. It is, therefore, inadvisable to operate any vehicle or
potentially dangerous equipment while under the influence of marijuana, THC, or any
cannabinoid drug with comparable effects (Zimmerman, 45). A minority of marijuana users
experience dysphoria, or unpleasant feelings.
THC is the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Cannabinoids are the group of
compounds related to THC, whether found in the marijuana plant, in animals, or
synthesized in chemistry laboratories. Cannabinoids likely have a natural role in pain
modulation, control of movement, and memory. The natural role of cannabinoids in immune
systems is likely multifaceted and remains unclear. The brain can and will develop a
tolerance to cannabinoids after a prolonged use of marijuana (Joy). Animal research has
shown the possibility that dependence will occur, but this possibility is much lower than
the chance of developing a dependence on benzodiazepines, opiates, cocaine, or nicotine.
Withdrawal symptoms have also been seen in animal testing. The symptoms are much milder
than the symptoms of withdrawal from some prescribed medications such as Valium and
Codeine (Mathre, 25).
Chemotherapy can often prolong someone's life for many years. In some cases, a complete
cure can be obtained. Unfortunately, chemotherapy has many side effects associated with
it that are not pleasant in the least bit. Patients sometimes find these effects so
distressing they abandon chemotherapy entirely. People with AIDS (Acquired Immune
Disease) also experience these problems (Zimmerman, 59). 
Studies with marijuana have shown that marijuana reduces the nausea and vomiting often
associated with chemotherapy treatments. Because the marijuana does this, it provides two
other benefits. The patient is able to retain food and maintain body strength and he or
she can tolerate the chemotherapy treatments for a longer amount of time in order to live
longer (Mathre, 68). In September 1988, the chief administrative law judge of the Drug
Enforcement Administration ruled that marijuana has medical value in the treatment of
side effects caused by cancer chemotherapy. His decision was over-ruled by the
administrator of the DEA and marijuana remained illegal for medical purposes until
recently (Grinspoon, 16). 
Glaucoma is another illness that marijuana has been shown to help. Glaucoma can strike
people of all ages but is most often found among those over 65. The most common form of
glaucoma is chronic or open-angle glaucoma. The symptoms of glaucoma include pressure
within the eye, intraocular pressure or IOP, which can cause damage to the optic nerve if
it is not controlled effectively. A 30% drop in eye pressure has been found in glaucoma
patients when using marijuana. Natural marijuana, however, consistently lowers IOP. Many
cases of glaucoma eventually end up having to have surgery. Glaucoma surgery cost about
8.8 million dollars per year. By marijuana being used it would greatly decrease that
amount (Zimmerman, 14).
Muscular spasticity is a common condition, affecting more than one million people in the
United States. People with multiple sclerosis, stroke, cerebral palsy, paraplegia,
quadriplegia, and spinal cord injuries are often part of that demographic. Marijuana has
demonstrated particular success in the treatment of muscular spasticity disorders.
Current medical therapy is inadequate for those individuals suffering from these
problems. Phenobarbital and diazepam, commonly called Valium, are commonly prescribed
drugs but many patients develop a tolerance to these medications, can become addicted to
the drug, or complain of heavy sedation (Joy).
Many prominent physicians studied cannabis and it's effects on various conditions. Dr. J.
Russell Reynolds said it was by far the most useful of drugs in treating painful
maladies. He also noted, There are many cases of so called epilepsy in adults but which,
in my opinion that are the result of organic disease of a gross character in the nervous
centers. In which India hemp is the most useful agent with which I am acquainted. Dr.
Reynolds may have been referring to multiple sclerosis (Grinspoon, 35).
Bibliography
Grinspoon, Lester. Marihuana, the Forbidden Medicine New Haven, Connecticut: Yale
University Press, 1997.
Iverson, Leslie. The Science of Marijuana. England: Oxford University Press, 2000.
Joy, Janet E. "Marijuana and medicine: assessing the science base."
"http://www.fgi.net/~lstevens/iom/iom.htm" (5-11-00)
Mathre, ML. Cannabis in Medical Practice. Jefferson, North Carolina: MacFarland and
Company, Inc. 1997.
Zimmerman, Bill. Is Marijuana the Right Medicine for You: A Factual Guide to the Uses of
Medical Marijuana. New York, New York: Keats Publishing, 1996.