Narrative on Medical Marijuana Research

Should Medical Marijuana Be a Medical Option?
Janette Fritz
Brandman University
Professor Gess
January 27, 2013

Abstract:
In the debate over medical marijuana, the primary justification advanced by its supporters is that marijuana use, especially by terminally ill patients, diminishes their "suffering from unnecessary chronic and unbearable pain that persists until death." Currently, Washington D.C. and eighteen states have approved and finalized medical marijuana rules: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. Additionally, New York, Illinois, South Dakota, and Kansas are in the process of considering medical marijuana laws. Under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, marijuana remains a Schedule I drug; meaning possession of it is still illegal and may only be utilized for research purposes. Although all patients should have the right to treatment, rights, generally, must be considered within the context of national policy. Though the government has remained to disagree, there's evidence that clearly shows that marijuana has been accepted as capable of relieving the distress of great numbers of very ill people, and doing so with safety under medical supervision. There are many opposing arguments with great points about the use of marijuana for medical use, but no hard evidence to back up their opinions. . It would be unreasonable, arbitrary and capricious for DEA to continue to stand between those sufferers and the benefits of this substance in light of the evidence already found.

Narrative on a Research Topic Essay Draft I have been around marijuana users all of my life, most of which who are terminally ill and need it to function well. Before any of them could get their medical license to purchase cannabis, they were always so paranoid of getting caught with possession. As I got older, it made me curious as to why it is illegal for these sickly people to possess marijuana when it makes them feel well enough to perform daily tasks. If someone can be prescribed a medication that is man-made, than why can't cannabis, which is all natural, be prescribed as well for the people who don't like taking medication? Some people are really against man-made drugs and refuse to take them. Since marijuana is all natural, many prefer to smoke that instead to be able to function on an everyday basis. Since I have thought about this topic for so long, I have previously looked up some great information on the medical use of cannabis. Marijuana is approved in 18 U.S. states and D.C. for medicinal use: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and, although not a state, D.C. Although cannabis has been smoked widely in Western countries for more than four decades, there have been no reported cases of lung cancer or emphysema attributed to marijuana. There are really no other medications that have the same mechanisms of action as marijuana. Dronabinol (Marinol) is available by prescription in capsules, but has the distinct disadvantage of containing only synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is only one of many therapeutically beneficial cannabinoids in the natural plant. Indeed, marijuana is less toxic than many of the drugs that physicians prescribe every day. Though some may disagree, there's evidence that clearly shows that marijuana has been accepted as capable of relieving the distress of great numbers of very ill people, and doing so with safety under medical supervision. I know many facts about this subject, but I am open and prepared to learn so much more. I would like to find out what symptoms marijuana eases and what is it in the plant that eases that pain. Is there an actual addictive substance within the plant that makes people become dependent on it? There are many things I would like to know, but these are just a few. There are many opposing arguments about the use of marijuana for medical use. Some believe that cannabis should not be legalized for medical use what so ever. Marijuana has been used as a medicine, a practical commodity, and the most commonly used illegal drug for centuries. Throughout the years, there have been controversies about legalizing marijuana to patients that have countless conditions and problems. The opposing side may pronounce that the legalization of marijuana will cause more conflicts between people who are for or against it. Although many believe marijuana is the most effective drug in combating their medical ailments, one would caution against this assumption due to the lack of consistent, repeatable scientific data available to prove marijuana's medical benefits. Based on current evidence, some believe that marijuana is a dangerous drug and that there are less dangerous medicines offering the same relief from pain and other medical symptoms. Countless individuals believe cannabis smoking is likely to weaken the immune system. Infections of the lung are due to a combination of smoking-related damage to the cells lining the bronchial passage and impairment of the principal immune cells in the small air sacs caused by cannabis. Marijuana is an unstable mixture of over 400 chemicals including many toxic psychoactive chemicals which are largely unstudied and appear in uncontrolled strengths. A new federal report concludes the younger children are when they first use marijuana, the more likely they are to use cocaine and heroin and become dependent on drugs as adults. This is widely known as the "Gateway Drug." Children entering drug abuse treatment routinely report that they heard that 'pot is medicine' and, therefore, believed it to be good for them. There are many reasons why one would be against the legalization of medical marijuana, but they’re all beliefs and opinions with no strong evidence to back them up. I have many ideas in my head on what to write and what to research. So I don't forget any important ideas, I wrote them down for later use. My plan is do my own questionnaire on 10 people and see what percentage is for the medical use of marijuana and who opposes it. I will need to locate and look at various types of sources. I can find sources via the library catalogue, periodical indexes, bibliographies, and suggestions from classmates.These sources may include: books, journal articles, films, internet sources, and databases, among other things. I will write an outline with the following questions to help me keep organized: * What is the topic? * Why is it significant? * What background information is relevant? * What is my thesis or purpose statement?
Lastly, I will revise it to the best of my ability. Marijuana has many reasons why it should be used for medical reasons. Cannabis is an all natural drug and there's no reason why it shouldn't be used for medical reasons. Marijuana contains certain things that cannot be substituted by synthetic THC. It would be unreasonable, arbitrary and capricious for DEA to continue to stand between those sufferers and the benefits of this substance in light of the evidence already found. Many believe that this drug has too many disadvantages that outweigh the advantages such as; Smoked marijuana damages the brain, heart, lungs, and immune system. It impairs learning and interferes with memory, perception, and judgment but it relieves the distress of great numbers of very ill people, and does so with safety under medical supervision. The opposing people don't think that the medical supervision is enough, but I will do my research and I will do it well and hopefully I can change the opinions of many out there.