Download Smith Hunter Smith Melanie Zynel ENG 1020 15 November 2012

Hunter Smith
Melanie Zynel
ENG 1020
15 November 2012
Marijuana
For years, many have argued whether Marijuana is considered a beneficial drug or
not. Cannabis is a substance that can be smoked or consumed and has many different
effects on a person’s mind. This substance has made its way from being used in the
“hippie era” to being used for medical purposes. In today’s society, marijuana is used as
a medical drug and is otherwise considered an illegal substance. Marijuana is a
medicinal drug because it follows the criteria of being an herbal substance that is nonaddictive, it can be prescribed by doctors, and it alleviates the symptoms of diseases and
other medical issues.
In the past, marijuana has had many different uses, but it was commonly used as a
medicine. Over three thousand years ago, cannabis was described as medicine for the
Indians and Chinese and would further spread to countries such as Africa, the Middle
East, and certain Hindu areas. It was used to treat conditions such as malaria, depression,
insomnia, vomiting, pain, rheumatism, tetanus, and for religious purposes, as
well. Marijuana extracts were also sold in the US and Europe to help a person’s appetite
and sexual problems. In the 1800s, cannabis was used to treat intestinal pains, gonorrhea,
chest pains, and bronchitis (Marijuana). The Egyptians and Ancient Greeks were among
those who also used marijuana for medicinal purposes. Egyptians used cannabis to treat
hemorrhoids and foot and eye problems. The Ancient Greeks took vapor baths using
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marijuana to get rid of tapeworms. They also used it to stop nosebleeds and to reduce
inflammation (Discovery Health).
Unlike most narcotics, marijuana is non-addictive and is not synthetically
made. Narcotics have a much more powerful effect on a person’ s mind and body. Being
an herbal substance, marijuana does not contain all the different chemicals contained in
other medicines. Some individuals may depend on marijuana, but it is not a true
addiction compared to other substances. Because marijuana is not a truly addictive
substance, there are no withdrawals when taking the substance away. “It was estimated
that 32% of tobacco users will become addicted, 23% of heroin users, 17% of cocaine
users, and 15% of alcohol users” (The Teenage Mind). Marijuana comes from a plant
and can either be smoked, consumed in hash form, vaporized, or even consumed in a pill
form.
The main chemical found in a marijuana plant is tetrahydrocannabinol or
THC. When smoked, the THC from marijuana makes its way to the brain through the
bloodstream. In the brain, the THC acts upon the cannabinoid receptors leading to
cellular reactions causing the “high” feeling. The cannabinoid receptors are in parts of
the brain that influence thinking, pleasure, memory, sensory and time perception,
concentration, and coordinated movement (DrugFacts: Marijuana). Having these effects
on the brain makes marijuana a great medical pain reliever.
Marijuana can also be baked into brownies, cookies, cupcakes, and candy for
those who do not smoke. These are the most common ways that a person can consume
marijuana. The time it takes to feel the effects is much longer than if one were to smoke
cannabis. It may also take longer for one to find their recommended dosage. When
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consumed, marijuana can sometimes produce stronger effects on a person than if it was
smoked. One may also feel a certain heaviness in their body, but this is normal (Medical
Marijuana Users Guide).
Another way that marijuana can be smoked is through a vaporizer. Vaporizers
transform marijuana into a gas form. Smoking through a vaporizer avoids the toxins
found in marijuana that can irritate the respiratory system. To get rid of the toxins,
cannabis is heated to a temperature of 180-200 degrees Celsius. THC and other
medically active cannabinoids are the only active ingredients in the smoke that one
inhales when smoking through a vaporizer (Why Cannabis Vaporization).
In today’s society, marijuana can be prescribed by doctors. The two common
medications that are based on marijuana are dronabinol and nabilone. These two drugs
are used for patients going through chemotherapy. These drugs help reduce vomiting and
nausea after the chemotherapy, as well as for people with weight loss from acquired
immune deficiency syndrome or AIDS. A recent drug made from THC and cannabidiol
is being tested but not yet approved is Sativex. Sativex is a mouth spray that relieves
pain involved in cancer, muscle spasms, and pain from multiple sclerosis (Marijuana).
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to approve medical marijuana
being smoked, but it has approved THC in the form of scientifically regulated Marinol
(dronabinol). Marinol comes in a pill form. Researchers are looking for other ways the
medicine can be taken. The FDA has not approved any medications that are smoked
(Medical Marijuana). Under the federal law, medical marijuana will not be able to be
approved by the FDA because it is classified as a schedule one prohibited substance
(FDA’s Marijuana). This is the strictest classification a drug can be classified under.
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Doctors can also prescribe a medical marijuana card to their patients. To obtain a
medical marijuana card, a person has to go through certain steps. They have to make sure
the state they live in allows medical marijuana. The eighteen states that allow medical
marijuana are Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii,
Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon,
Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia. To even consider
getting a medical card, an individual has to have one of the medical conditions marijuana
can be used as a treatment against. Doctors talk to their patients about the pros and cons
with medical marijuana before prescribing them. They also talk to their patients about
the laws pertaining to having a medical card. A patient can receive information such as
how many plants they can have and how much marijuana they are allowed during
specific times. After being prescribed, patients get the marijuana from dispensaries that
sell marijuana to individuals who have their medical cards only (How To Get A Medical
Marijuana Card). Doctors prescribe medical marijuana to patients with diseases such as
glaucoma, cancer, and AIDS.
Marijuana has been proven to help benefit many diseases. Glaucoma is one of the
main diseases that cannabis can be used as a treatment against. Glaucoma is a condition
in which pressure is increased in the eyeball which may lead to blindness. Marijuana can
be used to reduce the pressure that builds up in the eye. Other medications can also be
used to treat glaucoma, but these medicines can lose their effectiveness over time (How
Marijuana Could Help Glaucoma).
Cancer is another disease that marijuana can be used as a treatment against as
well. Cannabis may help inhibit tumor growths and even stimulate a person’s appetite
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for those who have cancer. THC and marijuana are used to relieve pain and control
nausea. THC and other cannabinoids can slow the rate at which certain types of cancer
cells develop and can even kill some of the cells (Marijuana).
Research has proven that smoking marijuana in moderation can also have some
pulmonary benefits. The way marijuana is smoked by an individual increases their total
lung capacity and breath retention giving the lungs a workout (Pot Smokers). This helps
a person inhale and exhale more air in and out of their lungs while breathing, thus
increasing total lung capacity. Smoking through a vaporizer can be helpful as a treatment
for the lungs. The smoke is much cleaner and cool, making it less irritating for the lungs
(Marijuana Cannabinoids).
Natural and synthetic THC has also been known to help those who have
asthma. “Asthma is the shortness of breath due to spasms of the bronchial tubes,
overproduction mucus, and swelling of the mucous membrane. THC acts as a bronchial
dilator, clearing blocked air passageways and allowing free breathing”
(CannabisMD.net). Further research of potential therapeutic uses of medical marijuana
are being done on Gliomas, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis,
Fibromyalgia, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Chronic Pain, Dystonia, Tourette’s
Syndrome, Hepatitis C, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Diabetes, Hypertension,
Sleep Apnea, Gastrointestinal Disorders, Incontinence, Pruritus, Osteoporosis,
Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA ) (Recent
Research on Medical Marijuana).
There are side effects that are involved with the usage of marijuana as a
medicine. Marijuana increases a person’s heart rate; therefore, those who have heart
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problems may have trouble with the increased heart rate, decreased blood pressure, and
fainting. Dronabinol and nabilone can cause mood changes or a “high” feeling which can
make a person feel uncomfortable. These drugs have also been known to worsen
depression, mania, and other mental illness. Dizziness, dry mouth, and trouble with
recent memory are also side effects of smoking or consuming marijuana
(Marijuana). Just like any other prescription, marijuana should not be mixed with
alcohol. It should also not be used while driving a vehicle, operating machinery, or any
hazardous activities. These drugs are also not recommended for women who are
pregnant.
By 2013, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) plans to shut down every medical
marijuana program. Medical marijuana will be distributed by the Pharmaceutical
Research and Manufacturers of America only (PhRMA). Patients with medical
marijuana cards will have to go to pharmacies to purchase the cannabis instead of
dispensaries. PhRMA plans to make a huge profit by being the only distributor. The
marijuana they will be distributing will be a treatment for a wide range of illnesses. The
only problem PhRMA sees is with people growing their own medical plants which would
hurt PhRMA’s profits dramatically (Worth Repeating: Big Pharma Takeover).
Marijuana is a medicinal drug because it follows the criteria of being an herbal
substance that is non-addictive, it can be prescribed by doctors, and has benefits towards
diseases and other medical issues. As one can see, marijuana is not only used just to get a
“high” feeling. Cannabis was used by many different cultures in the past as a
medicine. Studies have shown all the medical related issues marijuana can be used as a
treatment in today’s society. Research is also being done for more medical issues that
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marijuana can be used as a treatment in the future.
Work Cited
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"CannabisMD.net." Medical Marijuana. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.cannabismd.net/asthma/>.
Discovery Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2012.
<http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/drugs-alcohol/history-of-medicalcannabis-use1.htm>.
"DrugFacts: Marijuana." Marijuana. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana>.
"FDA's Marijuana Catch-22." Baltimoresun.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/readersrespond/bs-ed-medicalmarijuana-letter-20120311,0,7359386.story>.
"How Marijuana Could Help Glaucoma." LiveScience.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov.
2012. <http://www.livescience.com/6232-marijuana-glaucoma.html>.
"How To Get A Medical Marijuana Card." » Weed Smokers Guide. N.p., n.d. Web. 12
Nov.
2012. <http://weedsmokersguide.com/medical-marijuana-card/>.
"Marijuana." Marijuana. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/complementaryanalter
native
medicine/herbsvitaminsandminerals/marijuana>.
"Marijuana Cannabinoids - Oral and Transdermal Methods." Marijuana Cannabinoids Oral and
Transdermal Methods. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.naturalnews.com/034425_marijuana_cannabinoids_medicine.html>.
"Medical Marijuana: Can't Smoke It, but FDA Approved Scientifically Regulated THC."
Current
TV. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2012.
<http://current.com/groups/politics/89212783_medical-marijuana-cant-smoke-it-but-fda-
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approved-scientifically-regulated-thc.htm>.
"Medical Marijuana Users Guide." Medical Marijuana Users Guide. N.p., n.d. Web. 14
Nov.
2012. <http://www.concept420.com/medical_marijuana_users_guide.htm>.
“Pot Smokers can Maybe Breathe a Little Easier.” Harvard Health Letter 2012: 3.
ProQuest
Research Library. Web. 12 Nov. 2012.
"Recent Research on Medical Marijuana." NORML Working to Reform Marijuana Laws.
N.p.,
2012. Web. 12 Nov. 2012. <http://norml.org/component/zoo/category/recent-
research-on-medical-marijuana>.
"The Teenage Mind." Is Marijuana Addictive? N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-teenage-mind/201012/is-marijuanaaddictive>.
"Why Cannabis Vaporization?" California NORML. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.canorml.org/health/vaporizers>.
"Worth Repeating: Big Pharma Takeover Of Med Marijuana In 2013 - Toke of the Town
-
Cannabis News, Views, Rumor and Humor." Worth Repeating: Big Pharma
Takeover Of
Med Marijuana In 2013 - Toke of the Town - Cannabis News, Views,
Rumor and Humor.
N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.tokeofthetown.com/2012/07/worth_repeating_big_pharma_takeover_of_me
d_marijua.php>.