Arguments Against Medical Marijuana

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Derrik Corral
Dr. Pollard
English 102
03 December 2015
Medical Marijuana: Let's Hash This Out
Present-day medical marijuana has seen a substantial upsurge in use among individuals suffering from pain and certain diseases, as well as rise in backing amongst the general public. One cannot turn on the television without witnessing a discussion or debate involving the legality and medical use of this specific Cannabis plant. The reason the use of medical marijuana has become such a controversial topic is because possession of cannabis has been illegal in most of the world since the late 1930's, causing medical marijuana use to be identified as socially and morally deteriorating to a greater part of the population. Over the last 85 years, popular
For example, in the case of 5-year-old Charlotte Figi, who suffers from a severe form of epilepsy, which caused on average around 300 seizures a week. The youthful girl was prescribed many forms of extremely expensive prescription anti-seizure medication and not benefiting from them one bit. In fact, certain medications worsened her condition. Without anywhere left to turn, and after great sums of money lost, Charlotte's parents decided to experiment with small doses of medical marijuana. Charlotte's condition did in fact improve. After a short trial of low dose medical marijuana, Charlotte's amount of seizures plummeted from the aforementioned 300 a week to an average of 1 (Growology, YouTube). Obviously, Charlotte Figi's case can be used as a strong example towards those in the medical field that medical marijuana should be considered a strong method of treatment in future cases that are similar. Not only can medical marijuana be used as treatment to control seizures, but it can also reduce the discomforting effects of chemotherapy, by increasing appetite, reducing nausea, decreasing pain, reducing swelling, and aiding in muscle control problems (National Institute On Drug Abuse, 2015). It is common knowledge that often cancer
It is clear that medical marijuana has it benefits, but it still meets large amounts of opposition from individuals whom have negative beliefs towards the substance. For example, as of today only 23 states and Washington D.C. have legalized the use of marijuana for medical purposes (ProCon 2015). This leaves more than half of the country continuing to abide by the negative stereotype placed on the substance over eight decades ago. Closer to home, Nevada voters amended the state constitution in November of 2000, thus sanctioning the use of marijuana strictly for medical purposes with a vote of 65% yes to 35% no (NORML, 2015). Hopefully, other states that still have not legalized marijuana for medical use can follow in the footsteps of Nevada and the 22 other states to provide an proven alternative treatment method for patients in need. Around the world, use of medical marijuana varies from country to country. Most of North America, South America, and Europe have in some way allowed the use of marijuana for medical treatment, while much of Asia and Africa either consider the substance entirely illegal or do not condone it's use. Countries that have been commonly known for having traditional morals and values seem be the same countries that at this time consider the use of both medical and recreational marijuana to be illegal. These countries include: China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates

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