Marijuana can serve a very profound medical purpose. In fact, many doctors have praised the use of marijuana or “cannabis” (for medicinal purposes) because it has proven effective in alleviating stress. Lester Grinspoon, MD stated in a Boston Globe article that "Doctors and nurses have seen that for many patients, cannabis is more useful, less toxic, and less expensive than the conventional medicines prescribed” (ProCon). Specifically, marijuana has been proven to reduce stress levels dramatically in cancer stricken patients and for this reason should be viewed as a viable option in treating stress. This is miraculous because although stress does not cause the onset of cancer, “stress does appear to influence the course of the disease”. (Applied To Modern Life). Stress reduction is a vital component in combating cancer because “Once a tumor has developed, stress may modulate neuroendocrine pathways and affect numerous mechanisms that potentially lead to the progression of cancer” (Integrative Oncology Essentials). Becoming diagnosed with cancer can seemingly be irrevocably earthshattering, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can unfortunately arise in some patients who have enough to fight already. Although “Antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs can help manage PTSD symptoms” these alternatives fail in comparison to the organic composition and effectiveness of medicinal marijuana (National Cancer Institute).
Of course, there is stigma attached to marijuana use because of its recreational aspect. The typical conception of a marijuana user conjures up an image of a “hippie” or a slacker who seeks to push off responsibility and escape reality. However, this notion is shattered completely when cancer patients give their testimonies ...
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"From the Cabinet or the Street? How is Medical Marijuana Different from the Street Drug." CODA. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2013.
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"Psychological Stress and Cancer - National Cancer Institute." Comprehensive Cancer Information - National Cancer Institute. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2013.
"Stress and Cancer 101: Why Stress Reduction Is Essential." Integrative Oncology Essentials. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2013.
Weiten, Wayne, Dana Dunn, and Elizabeth Y. Hammer. Psychology Applied to Modern Life: Adjustments in the 21st Century. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning, 2012. Print.
"What Are Physicians' Views on Medical Marijuana? - Medical Marijuana - ProCon.org." Medical Marijuana ProCon.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2013.
Marijuana is a relatively harmless drug that governments around the world have made illegal. If legalized, marijuana can be beneficial to society in a number of ways: whether it be for medical, economic, or public safety reasons. Marijuana has been proven to treat several life debilitating, and even life threatening diseases. Although it is not a cure, marijuana can ease the pain and suffering of a dying person. Another benefit of legalization is the financial gains that governments will accomplish through the taxation of marijuana. This is a realistic claim if marijuana sales are compared to that of cigarettes; governments make billions each year from cigarette taxes (Caputo and Ostrom 484). Every year law enforcement spends countless man-hours trying to apprehend marijuana dealers and growers. This time would be better utilized in dealing with more serious crimes. This essay will display some main reasons why marijuana is a substance with beneficial uses and applications. First, marijuana can be used as a treatment for the effects of diseases such as AIDS, cancer, glaucoma, and other terminal diseases. A study carried out in California clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of marijuana as a treatment for cancer: “Over 74 percent of the cancer patients treated in the program have reported that marijuana is more effective in relieving their nausea and vomiting than any other drug they have tried.”(Zeese 1990). Chemotherapy for cancer patients often produces nausea and vomiting. Marijuana has been proven to relieve these symptoms and there have been no known side effects recorded (Ad Hoc Group of Experts part 4).
With marijuana is becoming legal in some states for medical reasons, other states are still questioning how marijuana can be beneficial and even a problem. In “The Truth about Medical Marijuana” by Carrie Shortsleeve, published in 2013 on the website Men’s Health, Shortsleeve describes how tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, found in marijuana, can be used for medical benefits. In the passage, she explains how the immune system and brain are affected by THC especially if the substance is high in dosage. When Dr. Mahmoud ElSohly, Ph.D., “the director of the University of Mississippi’s Marijuana Project,” injured his back, he begins to research what benefits marijuana has when using the drug as medicine, and Shortsleeve shares this with people who maybe considering medical marijuana. Shortsleeve uses statistics, in depth research, and real- life situations to show how some people trust marijuana as medicine; even though, some of these people were once against medical marijuana.
In the medical profession, doctors and nurses run into ethical dilemmas every day whether it be a mother who wants to abort her baby or a patient who has decided they want to stop cancer treatment. It is important for the nurse to know where they stand with their own moral code, but to make sure they are not being biased when educating the patient. Nurses are patient advocates, it is in the job description, so although the nurse may not agree with the patient on their decisions, the nurse to needs to advocate for the patient regardless.
Weiten, W., Lloyd, Margaret A., Dunn, Dana S., Yost-Hammer, Elizabeth. (2009). Psychology Applied to Modern Life; Adjustment in the 21st Century. (9th ed). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
"Decriminalizing Marijuana." Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 25 Apr. 2011. Web. 20 Feb. 2014.
Marijuana while illegal on a federal level has been legalized in 18 states and the District of Columbia for medical use and also for personal use for anyone over 21 in Washington and Colorado. 48% of Americans admit to using marijuana according to a 2013 survey conducted by Scientific America. With the change in public opinion concerning marijuana the need to understand the effect and consequences associated with its use are vitally important. What are the effects on the brain and the rest of the body? Does it matter when you start using marijuana? Also what is the effect marijuana use has on a person’s life, to include school, work, family and friends.
Simoni-Wastila, Linda, and Francis B. Palumbo. "Medical Marijuana Legislation: What We Know-- And Don't." Journal Of Health Care Law & Policy 16.1 (2013): 59-75. Academic Search Complete. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.
The American Medical Association's Council on Scientific Affairs should be commended for its report, "Marijuana: Its HealthHazards and Therapeutic Potential." Not only does the report outline evidence of marijuana's potential harms, but it distinguishes this concern from the legitimate issue of marijuana's important medical benefits. All too often the hysteria that attends public debate over marijuana's social abuse compromises a clear appreciation for this critical distinction.
So far, twenty-three states have legalized cannabis for medical uses. Originally, medical marijuana was use for lesser ailment like pain or insomnia due to the lack or research. Then as people started to do more research they realized marijuana could actually help patient with more serious conditions like glaucoma, or to help those who suffer form seizures, or even to fight cancer. Marijuana helps people with cancer a great deal. For starters, the chemicals in marijuana make patients hungry and help to keep patients strong. Second, research has shown promising evidence that the chemicals in cannabis fight the spreading of cancer cells and even help to kill cancer cells. Medical marijuana also helps to prevent users from obtaining other serious afflictions. Currently, researchers are studying the way the chemicals in marijuana effect amyloid plaques. Amyloid plaques, are the number one cause of Alzheimer’s disease, and researchers now believe marijuana use can help fight and help prevent this horrible disease. All of these studies could help to one day make incredible break throughs in modern medicine, and possibly find cures for Cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Medicinal marijuana is just one reason for the legalization of
Imagine you are lying in your home, suffering from the side-effects of chemotherapy and all you can do is think about how sick you are and what could possibly keep you from being secluded from life and happiness. Marijuana will prevent side-effects linked to terminal illnesses, does not cause any real harm to a humans well-being, and would increase US revenue due to taxation and also tourism. Well, according to Ed Rosenthal and Steve Kubby of the book Why Marijuana Should Be Legal, from which this viewpoint is excerpted. They argue that “marijuana is effective at relieving pain, controlling nausea, and stimulating the appetite, and is successfully used to treat a large number of medical problems, including asthma, CANCER, AIDS, depression, and glaucoma. Marinol, a synthetic formulation of THC—the chemical in marijuana that is responsible for many of its soothing effects—is not nearly as effective as natural marijuana, they claim. Millions of people are suffering needlessly because of the prohibition against using medical marijuana, Rosenthal and Kubby assert. They conclude that marijuana should be decriminalized.”(Rosenthal, Kubby) Today, I am going to help you understand the real benefits of marijuana. By the time that we are through, you will be agreeing with me and will want a part in the effort needed by citizens to legalize such a beneficial drug. You will be in amazement at how long our government has despised such a great thing.
Rich, Alex. "Legalization Of Marijuana: An Overview." Points Of View: Legalization Of Marijuana (2013): 1. Points of View Reference Center. Web. 11 Dec. 2013.
Lloyd, Margaret A., Dana S. Dunn, and Elizabeth Y. Hammer. Psychology Applied to Modern Life: Adjustment in the 21st Century. By Wayne Weiten. 9th ed. Australia: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2009. 75-137. Print.
Pierce, A. (2014, March 17). Medical marijuana Archives - The Stoner's Journal. The Stoners Journal. Retrieved May 17, 2014, from http://www.stonersjournal.com/tag/medical-marijuana/
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Rich, Alex K. Stingl, Alexander. “Legalization of Marijuana: An Overview.” Points of View: Legalization of Marijuana (2013):1. Points of View Reference Center. Web. 4 Feb. 2014