Medical Marijuana Research Paper
Shani Spencer Page # 1
Writing Project 3
Reese Conner
12/10/12
Medical marijuana has become a popular drug in the last couple of years. Medical marijuana is legal in a few states such as, Arizona and California. However Federal Law still states that this drug is illegal and that it should not be distributed (Dorell). Cannabis is used to treat a variety of different symptoms that come with certain types of illnesses like cancer, chronic pain, and nausea just to name a few (Legallizing). The benefits of this drug have helped many people and is a natural remedy compared to chemicals created in a laboratory. It is well …show more content…
regulated, you have to see a doctor and prove your conditions in order to become a medical marijuana cardholder. Once you have your card you can pick up from dispensaries and medicate as needed (Moore). The issue however is that people who are medical marijuana users are being persecuted and stripped of rights and dispensaries are being shut down by the federal government (Dorell). More people are beginning to accept marijuana usage and even recently voted in the last election to legalize recreational marijuana (Moore). The question is should medical marijuana be legal throughout the United States and treated like any other prescription or should it be stopped all together? Cannabis and marijuana were once easily obtained and sold throughout the United States in the 1800’s to late 1920’s/1930’s, but scare campaigns mainly lead by the Timber Companies against it changed peoples opinions to look at marijuana is a negative view (Tempest). The Timber Industry was afraid that hemp would replace paper and paper products since cannabis is easier to cultivate, takes up less space, and is less detrimental to the environment (Tempest) . It is called weed for a reason, because in the
Shani Spencer Page # 2
right climates and conditions it will flourish quickly like a weed and produce large amounts of supply. Narcotic laws were changed to consider marijuana a poison. The cultivation, sale, and possession of marijuana became illegal and those found in violation of these laws were prosecuted. The push for medical marijuana to become legal began in 1993 in preparation for the Clinton Admiration (Legalizing). It has since then spread to a few states and a medical marijuana card is more easily obtainable than most would think if you have those symptoms, there are many students at ASU who I personally know who have them and are proud advocates for the legalization of it. Since the federal government doesn’t recognize the legitimacy of medical marijuana some of the users are facing huge consequences (Dorell). Medical marijuana users who fail drug test at work are often fired from their jobs then denied unemployment benefits or denied the job all together because marijuana is still seen as illegal (Dorell). Medical marijuana users who encounter federal law enforcement are threatened with the possibility of legal charges, they can be kicked out of their subsidized housing, and have many other federal benefits taken away from them. A spokeswoman for the United States Border control stated, “ We’re charged with enforcing federal law…”(Dorell) Many people believe that medial marijuana is just as beneficial or even more so then other prescription drugs. Also the possibility of addiction is less compared to that of some painkillers and other forms of medication (Legalization). Even though in the last couple of years opinions of medical marijuana have become more positive there is still a large amount of those who do not support it. Marijuana has been labeled as a gateway drug, meaning that people believe those who use it are more
Shani Spencer Page # 3
likely to try harder drugs than someone who does not use marijuana (Legalization).
Some people do not see the health benefits of marijuana and say that little is known of how effective it is since it has been hard for researchers to obtain samples for testing even though it has become easier in the last couple of years (Dorell). Medical marijuana is not referred to as a modern drug (Moore). There are many people who believe that those who are using medical marijuana should be locked up just like those who have been selling it on the streets illegally, that this is no different and that there are already effective drugs against the symptoms that marijuana treats (Legalizing). Some complications of being high though are psychotic episodes, panic attacks, and it can impair certain abilities (Legalizing). Also smoking is bad for your lungs and respiratory system. However any drug has side effects Advil can cause stomach and brain ulcers if used too much, and no one is going to argue that Advil should be illegal. There have never been any recorded deaths of overdosing on marijuana and even though people don’t crash their cars as much as they do with drinking it still impairs ones ability to drive and other motor skills. Marijuana can cause paranoia and panic attacks. Many people worry that it will become more greatly abused since it would be easier to obtain and is currently the most abused drug …show more content…
(Legalizing). After educating myself on the benefits of medical marijuana I believe that it should be legalized throughout the United States. I believe the benefits of marijuana out way the risks. It’s an effective drug with positive results and many people enjoy the fact that it is a natural remedy that is commonly found in nature (Moore). I believe that it will become legal all together, states like Colorado and Washington have recently voted in the last
Shani Spencer Page # 4
election to legalize recreational marijuana for people 21 and over and will be regulated similar to alcohol or tobacco.
Marijuana is not as dangerous of a drug as some others that are available on the market for treating diseases. I personally know a friend whose family member was prescribed highly addictive painkillers after a back surgery. He then became addicted to them and was constantly having “accidents” that would end him up in the hospital just to get that feeling he was looking for, he even went as far as to crash his car into a tree resulting in his death. I believe that marijuana should become completely legal and be regulated just like tobacco. In other countries you can go to coffee shops and purchase marijuana and products that contain THC the chemical in marijuana that makes you feel high. I believe that like alcohol and tobacco marijuana can be one of those drugs that is easily taxed and generate a large amount of revenue for our government. Also it would save the government billions since many people less people would be going to jail for marijuana lessening the amount of money spent on these people in prison and the many other legal fees that come with prosecuting and detaining people. Many people in Colorado voted for the legalization of recreational marijuana because they said that about half of the money generated by it will go toward public schools (Legalizing). The effects of marijuana are less detrimental than alcohol in the temporary and lasting
effects and alcohol is legal. Also the health effect of cigarettes on the body is more carcinogenic than that of marijuana (Legalizing.) Though the opinion of marijuana is becoming increasingly positive there will always be those who do not support it. Most drugs are controversial matters whether people feel
Shani Spencer Page # 5 that it’s morally wrong or detrimental to society. Whatever the outcome is medical marijuana will always have supporters and protestors, the only way it will be wildly accepted is if federal law is changed to allow it. I believe that within the next few years we will have to make the choice to either vote yes or no on the legalization of medical marijuana and maybe even the over all legalization of it for recreational purposes.
Writing Project 3
Reese Conner
12/10/12
Medical marijuana has become a popular drug in the last couple of years. Medical marijuana is legal in a few states such as, Arizona and California. However Federal Law still states that this drug is illegal and that it should not be distributed (Dorell). Cannabis is used to treat a variety of different symptoms that come with certain types of illnesses like cancer, chronic pain, and nausea just to name a few (Legallizing). The benefits of this drug have helped many people and is a natural remedy compared to chemicals created in a laboratory. It is well …show more content…
regulated, you have to see a doctor and prove your conditions in order to become a medical marijuana cardholder. Once you have your card you can pick up from dispensaries and medicate as needed (Moore). The issue however is that people who are medical marijuana users are being persecuted and stripped of rights and dispensaries are being shut down by the federal government (Dorell). More people are beginning to accept marijuana usage and even recently voted in the last election to legalize recreational marijuana (Moore). The question is should medical marijuana be legal throughout the United States and treated like any other prescription or should it be stopped all together? Cannabis and marijuana were once easily obtained and sold throughout the United States in the 1800’s to late 1920’s/1930’s, but scare campaigns mainly lead by the Timber Companies against it changed peoples opinions to look at marijuana is a negative view (Tempest). The Timber Industry was afraid that hemp would replace paper and paper products since cannabis is easier to cultivate, takes up less space, and is less detrimental to the environment (Tempest) . It is called weed for a reason, because in the
Shani Spencer Page # 2
right climates and conditions it will flourish quickly like a weed and produce large amounts of supply. Narcotic laws were changed to consider marijuana a poison. The cultivation, sale, and possession of marijuana became illegal and those found in violation of these laws were prosecuted. The push for medical marijuana to become legal began in 1993 in preparation for the Clinton Admiration (Legalizing). It has since then spread to a few states and a medical marijuana card is more easily obtainable than most would think if you have those symptoms, there are many students at ASU who I personally know who have them and are proud advocates for the legalization of it. Since the federal government doesn’t recognize the legitimacy of medical marijuana some of the users are facing huge consequences (Dorell). Medical marijuana users who fail drug test at work are often fired from their jobs then denied unemployment benefits or denied the job all together because marijuana is still seen as illegal (Dorell). Medical marijuana users who encounter federal law enforcement are threatened with the possibility of legal charges, they can be kicked out of their subsidized housing, and have many other federal benefits taken away from them. A spokeswoman for the United States Border control stated, “ We’re charged with enforcing federal law…”(Dorell) Many people believe that medial marijuana is just as beneficial or even more so then other prescription drugs. Also the possibility of addiction is less compared to that of some painkillers and other forms of medication (Legalization). Even though in the last couple of years opinions of medical marijuana have become more positive there is still a large amount of those who do not support it. Marijuana has been labeled as a gateway drug, meaning that people believe those who use it are more
Shani Spencer Page # 3
likely to try harder drugs than someone who does not use marijuana (Legalization).
Some people do not see the health benefits of marijuana and say that little is known of how effective it is since it has been hard for researchers to obtain samples for testing even though it has become easier in the last couple of years (Dorell). Medical marijuana is not referred to as a modern drug (Moore). There are many people who believe that those who are using medical marijuana should be locked up just like those who have been selling it on the streets illegally, that this is no different and that there are already effective drugs against the symptoms that marijuana treats (Legalizing). Some complications of being high though are psychotic episodes, panic attacks, and it can impair certain abilities (Legalizing). Also smoking is bad for your lungs and respiratory system. However any drug has side effects Advil can cause stomach and brain ulcers if used too much, and no one is going to argue that Advil should be illegal. There have never been any recorded deaths of overdosing on marijuana and even though people don’t crash their cars as much as they do with drinking it still impairs ones ability to drive and other motor skills. Marijuana can cause paranoia and panic attacks. Many people worry that it will become more greatly abused since it would be easier to obtain and is currently the most abused drug …show more content…
(Legalizing). After educating myself on the benefits of medical marijuana I believe that it should be legalized throughout the United States. I believe the benefits of marijuana out way the risks. It’s an effective drug with positive results and many people enjoy the fact that it is a natural remedy that is commonly found in nature (Moore). I believe that it will become legal all together, states like Colorado and Washington have recently voted in the last
Shani Spencer Page # 4
election to legalize recreational marijuana for people 21 and over and will be regulated similar to alcohol or tobacco.
Marijuana is not as dangerous of a drug as some others that are available on the market for treating diseases. I personally know a friend whose family member was prescribed highly addictive painkillers after a back surgery. He then became addicted to them and was constantly having “accidents” that would end him up in the hospital just to get that feeling he was looking for, he even went as far as to crash his car into a tree resulting in his death. I believe that marijuana should become completely legal and be regulated just like tobacco. In other countries you can go to coffee shops and purchase marijuana and products that contain THC the chemical in marijuana that makes you feel high. I believe that like alcohol and tobacco marijuana can be one of those drugs that is easily taxed and generate a large amount of revenue for our government. Also it would save the government billions since many people less people would be going to jail for marijuana lessening the amount of money spent on these people in prison and the many other legal fees that come with prosecuting and detaining people. Many people in Colorado voted for the legalization of recreational marijuana because they said that about half of the money generated by it will go toward public schools (Legalizing). The effects of marijuana are less detrimental than alcohol in the temporary and lasting
effects and alcohol is legal. Also the health effect of cigarettes on the body is more carcinogenic than that of marijuana (Legalizing.) Though the opinion of marijuana is becoming increasingly positive there will always be those who do not support it. Most drugs are controversial matters whether people feel
Shani Spencer Page # 5 that it’s morally wrong or detrimental to society. Whatever the outcome is medical marijuana will always have supporters and protestors, the only way it will be wildly accepted is if federal law is changed to allow it. I believe that within the next few years we will have to make the choice to either vote yes or no on the legalization of medical marijuana and maybe even the over all legalization of it for recreational purposes.