Introduction
Marijuana, also known by different other names in different parts of world, is a plant that contains majorly tetrahydrocannabinol, a psychoactive chemical and several other molecular substances or cannabinoides. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is found in leaves, flowers and buds of this plant. Marijuana is produced at a large scale in some Asian countries but it is found in different parts of the world. This is one of most commonly used drugs around the globe. This paper intends to discuss marijuana, its uses, misuses, medical value and several other related aspects.
History
Marijuana is being used by human beings since time immemorial. We find its description and use in Vedas, most sacred manuscripts of Hindus. Lord Shiva is believed to be a regular smoker of Marijuana. Marijuana is used even today in Hindu festivals and for their religious purposes. Marijuana was also being used by Assyrians for religious and smoking purpose. It has been found that Jesus also used to consume marijuana for medical healings. Marijuana seeds were found in the boxes of buried mummies in ancient Egypt. Marijuana seeds were also found at a burial site in Romania.
Currently, Cultivation, Production, trade and possession of Marijuana is banned by the governments in most of the nations because of its misuses. It is used by youngsters as addictive to feel high and for fun which affects their brain and heart. It has been advised by policy makers to use it for medicinal purposes. Marijuana is cultivated by permission of government in several countries while in Asian countries it is illegally cultivated and supplied to other nations for money. It is favorite item of smugglers and has always been smuggled to America and European countries from Afghanistan and other countries (Rosenthal).
Discussion
Different people have different opinions about marijuana depending upon their experience and knowledge about this drug. Some recognize it as illicit drug while others argue in favor of its medical uses and its benefits in healing several diseases. Though People, who are related to medical field or are working in health research, recognize the medical value of marijuana.
In favor of marijuana
People, who are in favor of using marijuana for medical and healing purposes, say that unlike pharmaceutical drugs, marijuana has very rare and low side effects in comparison of other drugs. An important benefit is that Drugs based on marijuana are mild when compared to pharmaceutical drugs that are used for same diseases. Instances of overdose and reactions are very care in compare to pharmaceutical drugs. Even overdose effect or side effect of marijuana is not for more than 5-6 hours while in case of pharmaceutical drugs, it can be very dangerous. There are thousands of patients who got benefitted by using drugs based on marijuana (Arooka).
Marijuana has been found very effective in treating nausea, muscle pain chronic pain, loss of appetite, glaucoma, epilepsy, cancer along with several other diseases as well as disorders. Considering its healing effects, governments are changing their approach towards marijuana and various governments in their states and countries have allowed people to carry and use it in a limited and regulated manner. Various courts of law across the globe also have recognized the healing power and benefits of marijuana.
Mark A.R. Kleiman in his blog, ‘Get Your Red-Hot Medical Marijuana Here’, gives his opinion in favor of marijuana. He writes "Cannabis is almost certainly a useful treatment for at least some patients with several different diagnoses, and ought to be so recognized by the FDA and therefore sold lawfully at pharmacies under physicians' prescription. I keep hoping that the National Institute on Drug Abuse will relax the policy which has effectively prevented researchers from acquiring cannabis to use in clinical research, and that the medical marijuana advocates will devote some tiny fraction of their lititigation-and-petitioning budget to the medical research that could take this issue off the table politically” (Kleiman).
Against marijuana
Marijuana’s benefits are proved by eminent medical scholars, doctors and researchers but its misuse by people is also not hidden. It is consumed by people through smoking, vaporizing and swallowing to feel high. People, who advocate banning marijuana completely, say that it has severe side effects and harms the brain. Marijuana had been reportedly taken by the victims of several severe and fatal accidents. This is not only about marijuana but the problem of people who has a tendency to misuse anything. There are several incidents which suggest that people tried to feel high by taking life saving pharmaceutical drugs.
Nicholas A. Pace, MD, who is Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Medical Center, New York University, gives his opinion against marijuana. He writes, "Recent research shows that marijuana has detrimental effects on the brain, lungs, heart and fertility. The THC (the main ingredient in marijuana) content in marijuana used today is twice as strong as 30 years ago. The false impression that there is a medical need for marijuana confuses and misleads a poorly informed compassionate public in believing that the medical profession is withholding helpful medication from the sick” (Pace).
Analysis
It has been argued that the ban should be lifted from marijuana and it should be made accessible to people without much ruckus but on the other hand there are people who argue in favor of its regulated use and limited access for medicinal purposes only. Considering its misuses by people and especially youngsters, marijuana should be used in a regulated manner and government should allow it for healing purposes only so that people can get benefits of this herb. In order to prevent its misuse and to limit its use for medicinal purposes government regulations and control is unavoidable.
Banning marijuana or completely deregulating it is not going to solve the problem but can make the whole situation worse. Marijuana can do wonders if used in a regulated and positive manner. People, who want to ban marijuana, have no clue about the poverty and problems of third world. Marijuana, being a natural plant can be very effective for treating diseases at very low costs in comparison to other pharmaceutical drugs without causing any severe side effects. Marijuana should be promoted in order to treat diseases in a regulated manner and should get support from governments. People, especially youngsters should be educated about its healing benefits instead of merely using it to feel high.
Non government organizations can play a vital role in promoting healing using of marijuana. In countries like Canada, compassion clubs are doing great job. In these compassion clubs, Marijuana is a major healing medicine that is distributed among patients to provide them relief from various diseases (Gieringer). Such more regulated efforts to promote use of marijuana as a healing drug are required. More awareness and Organized efforts are required to make marijuana more accessible and more effective.
Marijuana is undoubtedly benefiting people but it can not be decontrolled because of chemicals present in it. If marijuana is not regulated, people will start misusing it and in that case, it causes more harm than benefits. If it is provided without any regulation, there is a strong presumption that People will start consuming it for fun and to feel high. Marijuana, due to its psychotic affects can create law and order situations in the society and can create problems for the policy makers. In such circumstances, it is good to take benefits from this herb by its regulated healing use instead of deregulating the drug.
Conclusion
After having observed all aspects and a detailed analysis of the subject, it can be concluded that marijuana is a healing drug and is benefiting people substantially. It has treated people suffering from chronic illnesses and being a low cost drug, it has the potential to benefit millions who can not afford expensive medicines. Marijuana has been like a god gift for People, living in third world who can not afford expensive pharmaceutical drugs. Due to its chemical substances, some incidents have been reported wherein, Marijuana has been misused by people but it has more positive effects in comparison of its negative effects. Since it can be misused, it is inevitable to regulate the drug in order to prevent its misuse. Regulated marijuana is in the interest of humanity but at the same time, deregulated marijuana can do irreparable damage to the society and can create severe problems for human beings.
Works Cited
Arooka. James Bong's Ultimate SpyGuide to Marijuana. USA: Free World Press Ltd, 2006.
Gieringer, Dale H. Marijuana Medical Handbook: Practical Guide to Therapeutic Uses of Marijuana. California: Ed Rosenthal, 2008.
Kleiman, Mark. "The Reality-Based Community." 4 March 2004. March 4th, 2004. 18 October 2013 <http://www.samefacts.com/2004/03/drug-policy/get-your-red-hot-medical-marijuana-here/>.
Pace, Nicholas A. "The New York Times." 26 April 2006. nytimes. 17 October 2013 <http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9805E3DF133FF935A15757C0A9609C8B63>.
Rosenthal, Ed. The Big Book of Buds: Marijuana Varieties from the World's Great Seed Breeders. USA: Ed Rosenthal, 2001.
