In the last few decades, medical practitioners have contemplated the issue on whether medical marijuana should be legalized or not. This topic raises a concern not only among the medical fraternity, but also on the members of the public. Proponents hold the view that medical marijuana should be legalized while other people hold the view that medical marijuana ought not to be legalized.
Medical marijuana remains illegal and prohibited under the federal laws. The National Drug Control policy groups medical marijuana under Schedule I Controlled Substance .This category of drugs and substances remain illegal and prohibited as they how high level of inconsistency, affects safety of patients, highly addictive and vulnerable to abuse Thibodeaux & Beddow 13). Although the federal government opposes legalization of medical marijuana, other states in the region have legalized medical marijuana. California and Arizona states have legalized medical marijuana and its usability in medical setting. Both states have drafted effective policies that provide guideline on how medical practitioners should prescribe it to patients in order to avoid harm. Arizona and California laws on the use of medical marijuana provide medical practitioners with freedom to discuss the benefits and negatives of using this drug with their patients (Thibodeaux & Beddow 13). Despite this predisposing fact, the question that needs to be addressed is what are the pros and cons of legalizing medical marijuana.
Pros
Proponents argue that medical marijuana be legalized because it is useful in medical setting. Doctors affirm that medical marijuana is effective in treating patients suffering from nausea, seizures and glaucoma and enhances appetite. Additionally, patients diagnosed with AIDS, cancer and sclerosis will benefit because medical marijuana lowers medical side effects of such diseases. In a similar vein, cocaine has been outlawed in medical setting on the premise that it belongs in Schedule I controlled Substance group. Scientifically, cocaine plays an integral role in reconstructive surgery because it helps in reducing bleeding. Cocaine is anaesthetic in nature and helps in vasoconstriction of veins thus reducing bleeding during surgery (Miller 45). On this assertion, medical marijuana should be legalized.
Medical marijuana should be legalized on the premise that it acts like any other medicine used in medical setting. Some people hold the view that medical marijuana should not be legalized because it is carcinogenic in nature, cause lung infections and destroys patients’ mood. Such assertions may hold true and credible to a certain extent, but medicine such as Valium, Tylenol and appetite enhancing pills carry same weight as medical marijuana. Effectiveness and ineffectiveness of any medicine depend on doctor’s prescription. Misuse of drugs and medicine affects the health of the patients (Miller 67).
Legalizing medical marijuana will protect rights of patients. Most patients diagnosed with AIDS, cancer and Sclerosis experience medication side effects thus making them suffer. However, medical marijuana can be used to counteract such side effects thus reliving patients the suffering. This move will be safeguarding patients’ rights and promote quick recovery.
Cons
Legalizing medicine marijuana cause addiction and other negative side effects such as low motivation, change in mood, memory loss and impairment in effective reasoning. It holds true that medical marijuana leads to side effects; an idea that affect normal functioning of the patients.
Long term use of medical marijuana lead to low immunity, heart related diseases and lung cancer. Medical marijuana is carcinogenic in nature and causes cancer and affects the respiratory system of the patients. Legalizing it will place patient’s life at risk because many people will be diagnosed with cancer and other related diseases.
In conclusion, I hold the view that medical marijuana should be legalized because it plays an integral role in medical setting as medicine, it safeguards interests and rights of patients and cause no harm to patients. Government need to formulate new policies that will ensure medical practitioners adhere to code of ethics and professionalism while prescribing medical marijuana to patients.
Works Cited
Cooper, Richard. Impact of prescription drug diversion control systems on medical practice and patient care. Rockville, MD: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1993. Print.
Miller, Gary J. Drugs and the law: detection, recognition & investigation. 3rd ed. Charlottesville, VA: Gould Publications, 2005. Print.
Thibodeaux, Sam, and Beddow Mendez. Gangrillas: The Unspoken Pros and Cons of Legalizing Drugs. New York: Trafford Publishing, 2010. Print.
