Positive Aspects of Medical Marijuana Essay - 2049 Words

Marijuana is the common name for a drug comprised of the leaves and flowering tops of the Indian hemp plant, cannabis sativa, which can be smoked or eaten for unique feelings. The active ingredient of marijuana, known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is concentrated in the flowering tops of the Indian hemp plant. In the USA, the legality of marijuana, found to be medically useful by some, has been a controversial topic for decades (Nahas 1). Today, the 5,000-year medical history of cannabis has been almost forgotten. Cannabis sativa has been used therapeutically from the earliest records to the present day. Although the Chinese and East Indian cultures knew about the properties of this drug from very early times, the drug†¦show more content†¦As the AIDS epidemic became prevalent, patients began to use marijuana to decrease the pain caused by AIDS and AIDS-related diseases (Randall and OLeary 200). These new medical uses of cannabis led to wider folk experimentation. The use of marijuana in the symptomatic treatment of convulsive disorders, migraine, insomnia, and dysmenorrhea was rediscovered. During Richard Nixons campaign on the drug war in the 1970s, beginning with the establishment of the Office of Drug Abuse Law Enforcement (ODALE), marijuana was then confined to Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act. This classified marijuana as a drug that has a high potential for abuse, lacks an accepted medical use, and is unsafe for use under medical supervision (Miller 103). In November 1996, California endorsed a change in the states drug laws that contradicted the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). California voters approved Proposition 215, an initiative that made marijuana legally available as a medicine in the United States for the first time in two generations. Under the new law, patients or their caregivers who possess or cultivate marijuana for medical treatment recommended by a doctor would not be subject to criminal prosecution. The recommendation may be either written or oral and doctors cannot be penalized by the state for making it. A similar but moreShow MoreRelatedEssay on Legalizing Marijuana-Persuasive Outline941 Words   |  4 Pagessupport the legalization of marijuana, because of it being able to provide many medical as well as economic benefits for the United States if legalized. Thesis Statement: Marijuana has been regarded as a harmful plant that can endanger lives and is thought to be nothing more than an extra problem to be dealt with in today’s society. However, based on its economic value and medical benefits, the cannabis has proven to outweigh its negatives with numerous other positives. Organizational Pattern:Read MoreMedical Use of Marijuana875 Words   |  4 Pageslegalization of marijuana for medical use, eight out of ten states caused a decreased in teenage cannabis use. Currently in the nation there are several states that allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Government officials have different belief on medical marijuana. According to Judge Young, â€Å"Marijuana has been accepted as capable of relieving the distress of great numbers of very ill people† (â€Å"Top Ten†). The governmental figure sees potential with the use of medical cannabis. AccordingRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized For The Best Of Society?1742 Words   |  7 PagesMarijuana is one of the most controversial discussions to consider in various countries due to the numerous debates between citizens to legalize or criminalize the drug for the best of society. In countries such as Colombia, Netherlands, and various states in United States (Colorado, Washington, an d Oregon), marijuana is legalized for recreational and medical purposes, which is obtainable to all citizens. However, in countries such as Canada, marijuana remains illegal for recreational use, whichRead MoreThe Problem Of Medical Marijuana927 Words   |  4 Pagesmany aspects then ever before. From the mature styles of clothing to their ability to operate technology better then their parents, adolescents believe they are mentally older and able to make adequate decisions. This is a dangerous mind frame to have when the world around these adolescents is a rapidly growing marijuana market. Medical marijuana is a popular topic of conversation with not enough emphasis on its direct effect on the listening ears of children. The idea of medical marijuana is a stepping-stoneRead MoreThe Legalization Of Marijuana1123 Words   |  5 PagesThis proposal would eliminate marijuana from the Control Substance Act and it would no longer be categorized as a Schedule 1 substance. The proposal w ould also require a federal permit for growing and distributing marijuana within state and national borders. The last aspect of the proposal would require for marijuana to be regulated exactly like alcohol by the Food and Drug Administration as well as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tabaco, Firearms, and Explosives. Both of these proposals are probable optionsRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized?859 Words   |  4 Pageswhether marijuana should be legalized has always been a controversial topic, troubling many American citizens. However, marijuana and its essential cannabinoids, such as THC, were used long before America was even an idea. Many ancient civilizations have used marijuana in medical practices. 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By discussing the legal aspect of marijuana, the economic benefits, medical usage and how marijuana affects the family, we can see the positive and negative impact that marijuana has on sociology. Except for a few select states, marijuana usage, sale and distribution of marijuana is in some manner illegal. As a result, there is immense legal considerationsRead MoreWhy Marijuana Has Affected The Crime Rate1589 Words   |  7 PagesThe next article was another one from the drug policy website. It briefly went over the crime rate statistics after the legalization of marijuana. It advises the city of Denver saw a decrease in violent crime rates in the first 11 months of 2014, following a similar trend in 2013. Statewide traffic fatalities continue to decline, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. Upwards of $8 million has been allocated to fund youth education and drug prevention efforts. And the state is enjoyingRead MoreMarijuana Is The Safest Of All Recreational Drugs1600 Words   |  7 PagesCannabis, also commonly known as marijuana, is the most widely used illegal recreational drug. Recreational drugs are used to alter states of consciousness and heigh ten mood. Out of all recreational drugs, marijuana use ranks among alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine use. Marijuana refers to dried leaves and flowers from the Cannabis sativa plant. When smoked or ingested, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is absorbed through the bloodstream and carried to the brain and other organs. THC is a mind-altering