INTRODUCTION
Cannabis Sativa was one of the most used plants up until its ban in the 1970’s in the United States. However, California passed the use of the plant for medicinal purposes by a wide margin in the Proposition 215 of November 1996 (Kramer). There are proponents and opponents to the use of marijuana in any situation, and both sides bear strong views to support their case. In California for instance, it is permitted by law for ill patients to cultivate and use marijuana. The law stipulates that they should have a medical recommendation from a physician. The use of medicinal marijuana is not age limited and has its listed benefits but is not limited to the proposition list. On the other hand, the Californian Medical Authority is against the move because is it undermines the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations of the United States and additionally has a high affection for abuse by the youth. Nevertheless, the fact that it is a law has sparked endless debates on its efficiency. Consequently, the physicians in California have been put in a quandary with science and the law
RESEARCH
Several studies on the benefits and negative effects of marijuana have been documented. In recent research (Seamon et al.) sought to determine the therapeutic uses, the interactions with the drug, safety, legal issues and implications surrounding the use of medical marijuana and its effects to an associated physician. In the findings, the authors discovered that Cannabis Sativa contains over 450 chemicals and approximately 60 cannabinoids. Legal formalities surrounding the drug are rather complex. In the United States, currently 16 states have legalized medical marijuana all with the defense of medical desideratum. With broadly supported evidence the Schedule I drug can be used in instances of nausea that is associated with chemotherapy sessions, any weight loss issues emanating from HIV infection or cancer, muscle malfunction associated with neurological diseases, pain and other abnormalities such as glaucoma. In addition to the proposition 215 list, the drug can be used with adverse events on the immune, respiratory and cardiovascular systems. The research concluded that many states in the US have legalized the drug for chronic medical conditions and cases of weakness in patients. It is, therefore, the duty of the physician to acclimatize with the legal framework so that he or she can best serve the public and simultaneously protect themselves from legal suits.
On a separate study (Clark, Capuzzi, and Fick),affirm that the (Drug Enforcement Agency)DEA categorizes Marijuana as a Schedule I drug making it illegal and not acceptable for medical usage. However, predecessor studies have shown that marijuana has the underlying benefits of controlling chronic pain, vomiting and nausea associated with chemotherapy, some HIV/AIDS symptoms, and muscle spasms. The proponents advocate that the benefits outweigh the negatives of the marijuana’s use, and it should therefore be recommended for patients who show little response to other treatments. With the weak evidence supporting the benefits of Marijuana the DEA has disapproved the option of dropping marijuana to a schedule II drug that would allow prescription to patients (Ammerman). It is evident in other states that the medical marijuana bandwagon is gathering pace with 16 states having legalized the drug contrary to the federal law of zero tolerance against the drug. The US government stance on the issue has ignited heated debates over the issue with renewed existence of scientific evidence. Despite these claims, the government still holds its position citing possibilities of non-beneficence and maleficence in the probe for the legalization of marijuana. The authors concur with the proponents of the movements and duly agree that patients should be given a chance to utilize the drug because their denial is a direct infringement of their human rights.
ARGUMENT
Medical marijuana controversy is somewhat tricky because it poses both positive and negative effects on the user. On the positive side, studies have shown repeatedly that the drug can be used for treatment and relief of several medical conditions. Marijuana has been tested on patients suffering from cancer, arthritis, depression, HIV/ AIDS and many others and has been found to be tremendously effective. Most of these ailments have few to no treatment most of which are not effective for every patient. The “high” causing element THC in marijuana has been identified as the substance that relieves patients of pain and cancer-related symptoms by the American Cancer Society.
Conversely, over 75% percent of regular marijuana users have been identified to be using the drug for relaxation and recreational purposes a reason for which the drug is not allowed. The law strictly restricts the use of the drug due to its negative effects that include the fact that marijuana is the number one gateway drug that introduces one into the plethora of hard drugs. Research shows that first-time users who lie between the age of 12 and 22 have a high prevalence of trying out cocaine. With accompanying evidence, marijuana has been heavily linked with violence, aggression, crime, suicide and depression among others in the short to long-term usage of the drug (Hill). Observed and documented short –term effects of the drug include impaired judgment and motor skills, hallucinations, mood swings and restlessness. Aside from the short-term effects, the very adverse effects of the drug are felt and seen in the long-term use of the drug as it deteriorates the physical as well as mental state of an individual. Marijuana results in general body weakness and damage to brain cells. Taking the drug through smoking also increases the chances of respiratory diseases such as bronchitis and lung cancer. Additionally, side effects of long-term use include weight loss or gain, never ending anxiety and apathy.
PROPOSAL
Despite the many potential medical uses of marijuana, the use of medical marijuana is not recommended by many in the medical field as it still proves to be dangerous and addictive. Studies have shown that smoke from marijuana contains 70% more carcinogens as compared tobacco (Gordon, Conley, and Gordon). The smoke is made of particulates and gases that have proven to be perilous to the lungs. A recent study conducted by Polle showed that those employees that smoke marijuana tend to take more sick days due to respiratory illnesses. A study by NIDA also revealed that marijuana increased the heart rate by 10% from 70 to 80 bpm (Chu). The vessels in the eyes engorge causing the “red-eye” effect, and the bronchial passage is enlarged. Research evidence has also shown that there is increased the risk of heart attack within the first hour of intoxication. This is attributed to the increased blood pressure and heart rate thus lowering the ability of the blood to carry oxygen.
A case-controlled study conducted by scholars of psychological medicine involving 109 heavy and long-term smokers of marijuana showed that they had lower education achievements and income (Gordon, Conley, and Gordon). This was after they were matched with those that briefly smoked marijuana. It was also found that heavy users had a lower rating for overall satisfaction, quality of diet, life, and general happiness. On a short-term basis, the user can experience impairment in balance, coordination, attention, short-term memory and other cognitive functions. The reflexes of a marijuana user may be strong enough for him to operate the car properly but they are rarely of any help upon being distracted from the road. A survey conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety institution found that 7% of the total accidents involved drivers who tested positive and with traces of delta-9-THC in their blood stream (Chu). In addition, marijuana also affects how information is being processed by the hippocampus. It was found that adolescents exposed to delta-9-THC had functional and structural changes in their hippocampus. A test done on the rats showed that marijuana promoted the loss of nerve cells at a very fast rate (Gordon, Conley, and Gordon). Those rats that were exposed to THC exhibited nerve loss similar to rats twice their age.
Research conducted by Barbra Mason revealed that 10% of those using marijuana were at a higher risk of suffering from marijuana dependence. 90% of the users will be able to use it without facing the risk of dependence (Chu). For this reason, effective treatment should be made readily available.
Apart from the physical dangers brought about by cannabis, it also poses many psychological issues, especially for adolescents. Degenhardt and Hall found out that there were strong correlations psychosis and early marijuana use (Gordon, Conley, and Gordon). Studies were done on a group of adolescents that use cannabis showed the development of psychosis over time. It was also found that cannabis created a profound potential for users who are predisposed to schizophrenia to develop a short psychotic reaction. However, it disappears as the effect of the drug fades. In addition, there was an increased risk of psychosis particularly in adults who possess the gene catechol-O (responsible for lowering the functions of neurotransmitters including dopamine and norepinephrine) (Chu). Smoking marijuana is also linked to personality disturbances, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, and depression. Its use by adolescence showed a link on a motivational syndrome, which is characterized by a lack of drive or interest to achieve rewards (Gordon, Conley, and Gordon).
CONCLUSION
Most people may say that there is no harm in using marijuana as it makes sick people, especially the chronically ill ones feel better. However, this is a very simplistic approach to a very complex situation. It would have been much desirable to prescribe marijuana if it was the only one available to treat a certain medical condition. However, drugs for the treatment of such conditions (loss of appetite, pain, nausea and many others) are already available. Doctors now prescribe antiemetic (for nausea) and analgesic (for pain relief) that have fewer side effects and are of equal potency. Research that has been done show that marijuana indeed does have medicinal benefits, but such benefits are already available in other drugs found on the market. It is without a doubt that the negative side effects of marijuana outweigh its benefits.
Works Cited
Ammerman, Seth. “Marijuana.” Adolescent Medicine: State of the Art Reviews 25.1 (2014): 70–88. Print.
Chu, Yu Wei Luke. “The Effects of Medical Marijuana Laws on Illegal Marijuana Use.” Journal of Health Economics 38 (2014): 43–61. Web.
Clark, Peter a, Kevin Capuzzi, and Cameron Fick. “Medical Marijuana: Medical Necessity versus Political Agenda.” Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research 17.12 (2011): RA249–61. Web.
Gordon, Adam J., James W. Conley, and Joanne M. Gordon. “Medical Consequences of Marijuana Use: A Review of Current Literature.” Current Psychiatry Reports 2013. Web.
Hill, Kevin P. “Medical Marijuana for Treatment of Chronic Pain and Other Medical and Psychiatric Problems.” Jama 313.24 (2015): 2474. Web.
Kramer, Joan L. “Medical Marijuana for Cancer.” CA: a cancer journal for clinicians 65.2 (2015): 109–22. Web.
Seamon, Matthew J. et al. “Medical Marijuana and the Developing Role of the Pharmacist.” American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy 2007: 1037–1044. Web.
