Argument for the Legalization of Marijuana for Medical Use

Argument for the Legalization of Marijuana for Medical Use

The debate surrounding the legalization of marijuana is approaching a point never before seen as society slowly shifts its focus from a negative stance to a more positive stance. One aspect gaining attention is the legalization of this drug for medicinal purposes. This same aspect is important enough to deserve attention in the argument for legalization of medical marijuana. At one point in the history of the United States marijuana was used as a medical treatment, and this seems to fit in with the positive attitude in society today. Although governmental policies create restrictions and even bans upon the use of marijuana, the legalization of this drug could make it a useful tool for the medical community.

In the debate for legalization of marijuana, it is worthwhile to understand part of the history of the drug. For a large part of the history of America, it was legal to grow and use marijuana, as there were no federal or state laws prohibiting it. In fact in the early 17th century, Virginia farmers were subject to penalties and fines for refusing to grow marijuana or hemp. According to a review and analysis done by the Congressional Research Service (Eddy, 2010), the United States Pharmacopoeia included marijuana "as a recognized medicinal" from 1850 to 1941. A legal counselor for the American Medical Association (AMA) argued at this time that marijuana had the potential to be developed by medical professionals and he went on to refute addiction claims based on lack of evidence (Eddy, Federal Medical Marijuana Policy, para. 2.) Since 1976 many states have attempted to allow limited use for medical purposes and to date, 14 states do allow use if it is based upon a doctors' recommendation (Eddy, 2010).

It is true however, that federal legislation holds sway on the final legal status of marijuana. In 1937 Congress enacted the Marijuana Tax Act that "imposed registration and reporting requirements and a tax on the growers, sellers, and buyers of marijuana" (Eddy, Federal Medical Marijuana Policy, para. 1.) The classification in the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) of 1970 lists marijuana as a Schedule I substance, along with known hallucinogens such as LSD, mescaline, and peyote (NARCONON International, 2010.) By definition this means the drug has a high potential for abuse and has been determined to have no medical use in the United States (Controlled Substances Act 1970, para. 2.)

Even though the CSA writes that marijuana has no beneficial medical use, folklore and studies indicate there are many effective properties in marijuana. Use in folklore dates back many centuries and over Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East (Eddy, 2010.) Through these stories and recent studies it is evident more of the side effects of marijuana are positive and beneficial than negative and harmful. Medical research in the late 20th century has yielded proof that glaucoma patients and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy gain relief from the painful symptoms and side effects associated with their diseases. Because of the anti-inflammatory properties found in cannabis, the internal eye pressure related to glaucoma is reduced when a patient consumes marijuana. Additionally, patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer report an alleviation of nausea and even an increase in appetite as a result of using medical marijuana (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2010.)

Despite this encouraging evidence generated by clinical studies, the public has a long-standing concern that focuses on social stigma and urban legends in connection to abuse and overdose. A typical cycle of drug use starts with relatively harmless substances and escalates into harder substances as the user searches for a bigger and better sensation. The signs and symptoms of chronic abuse of marijuana include losses of motivation, cognition, judgment, and perception (Drug War Facts.org, 2008.) The Drug War Facts.org (2008) website lists overdose symptoms that include drowsiness, euphoria, memory impairment, lethargy, and slurred speech. Although these abuse and overdose symptoms may not appear to be life threatening, they can cause social damage for a person such as loss of employment. The possibility of an accident, while operating a car or other machinery, is also increased because of slower reaction time.

Setting aside the social stigma attached to marijuana use, it is essential that scientific research be brought into this argument. Numerous studies have been conducted that indicate marijuana can be used as an effective medical treatment because of the large volume of chemical compounds found in the plant. The most recent research has shown that marijuana produces more than 420 chemical compounds, of which 66 are called cannabinoids. Table 1 below shows the list and number of variants.

Table 1.

Cannabinoids Identified in Marijuana

Cannabinoid Group Abbreviation Known Variants

1. 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol 9-THC 9

2. 8-Tetrahydrocannabinol 8-THC 2

3. Cannabichromene CBC 5

4. Cannabicyclol CBL 3

5. Cannabidiol CBD 7

6. Cannabielsoin CBE 5

7. Cannabigerol CBG 6

8. Cannabinidiol CBND 2

9. Cannabinol CBN 7

10. Cannabitriol CBT 9

11. Miscellaneous types 11

TOTAL 66

(ProCon.org, n.d.)

Cannabinoids are the basis for medical and scientific use because these compounds have not been found in any other plant. The most effective one is known by the name tetrahydrocannabinol or the shortened version of THC (ProCon.org, n.d.) The benefits of these compounds include use as an anti-inflammatory, as an antispasmodic, and as an analgesic (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2010.) Additional benefits include the use of marijuana in the treatment of patients with; HIV-related neuropathy or nerve pain (Abrams, 2007,) intestinal cramping related to inflammatory bowel diseases, and vomiting during pregnancy (Drug War Facts.org, 2008.)

Although many studies have begun to show more evidence of the usefulness of marijuana in a multitude of treatments, it is because the volume of compounds