Medical Marijuana Summary

There have been many studies done to research the medical use of marijuana. An article titled, “Recent Research on Medical Marijuana ” published by Paul Armentano, the deputy director of the NORML foundation, discusses the benefits of the use of marijuana in the medical world. The NORML foundation is a nonprofit foundation that was founded in 1997 to help educate the public about marijuana and marijuana laws/policies. They also help victims of current marijuana laws. Reading the article provided me with insight about the ways marijuana can aid those with many different diseases and illnesses.
To briefly summarize NORML’s article, it first goes into the history of marijuana stating that the cannabis plant has been used since the beginning of
recorded history. When scientists first came across this plant they conducted multiple tests and concluded that, “"[T]he most probable conclusion ... is that [ancient] culture[s] cultivated cannabis for pharmaceutical, psychoactive, and divinatory purposes” (Armentano). This shows how marijuana has been used medically since the beginning of time. It goes on to discuss the many ways it can be used medically to help those in need. The University of California Center for Medicinal Cannabis has conducted numerous researches that the article references. When looking into their research, I found that they did multiple randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials on how it can be helpful medically when it is inhaled. After looking at the results, researchers stated that marijuana should be first in line for treatment for patients with neuropathy and other serious illnesses. They also said that it has the ability to ease neuropathic pain, which can be extremely difficult to treat. This type of nerve pain is linked with cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, spinal cord injury and numerous other unbearable conditions. Another study conducted with the University of California’s Medicinal Cannabis center measured the use of marijuana as a treatment for those suffering with multiple sclerosis disease. The findings determined that "smoked cannabis was superior to placebo in reducing spasticity and pain in patients with MS, and provided some benefit beyond currently prescribed treatments”(Armentano). After various other studies it has been found that marijuana can also temporarily relieve symptoms such as nausea, headaches, etc. Scientists have also discovered that cannabis plays a role in treating neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. On top of that, they have found that cannabinoids (present in cannabis) can decrease the spread of certain cancer cells through apoptosis, which can be described as programmed cell death, and by the inhibition of angiogenesis, which is the development of new blood vessels. The research that was done clearly shows how much of an impact the legalization of medicinal marijuana could help those in need of some types of pain relief and even certain treatments.
Moreover, prior to looking into the research done about marijuana’s potential medicinal use, I never had any negative cogitation about the use of the drug.
Growing up in the suburbs, I was not really exposed to marijuana use, but once I came to college I have found that it is a lot more common. Now I know of many people who use the drug recreationally and they are all still able to be involved in daily activities such as attending class, working, studying, and being physically active. As stated, many use it recreationally, but I also found that some students use it to relieve stress while others may use it to help them sleep. But there are also those college students who use it for the “fun” effects such as laughter, other euphoric qualities, and hunger. Either way, I have not thought that the use of it causes any potential harm to anyone. I have experienced an instance when I went into public with someone who was under the influence of marijuana, and they showed slight signs of paranoia. They continuously asked me if everyone could tell that they had smoked. I was asked multiple times, “Are my eyes red?” “Do I look high?” “Do I smell?” to which I answered no but they kept asking me. Although, paranoia can be scary, I think it is a slight side effect, which does not cause harm to anyone. Also, I have noticed that those who do use the drug regularly are people who seem to be more calm and relaxed, and have a peaceful outlook on life. As I mentioned before, when I lived in the
suburb of Lake In The Hills, Illinois I was not exposed to the drug a lot, but I do remember days at school when kids would get suspended or expelled for the use of marijuana or coming to school “high.” That made me think that those were the “bad kids” that always get in trouble. As I have grown up, I have learned that you cannot generalize groups of people like that. Some drugs can be very dangerous and lead people down a bad path, but the use of marijuana does not seem to cause that threat. Though several say that it is a “gateway” drug, and that is what also makes it dangerous. I believe that it used to be a “gateway” drug, but nowadays there are so many other substances that are more harmful, addictive, and more potent than marijuana that are available for people to use if they really wanted too. I also think that those who have used it as a “gateway” drug are experiencing other problems in life and need a fix that marijuana just does not provide because it is not that “strong” of a drug, meaning you can still function in society and feel a little normal while under the influence.
Additionally, after looking into all of the research, I have found that cannabis has various medicinal uses. This was surprising to me because it is a Schedule I drug, which means that the government declared that it has no accepted medical use, and has a high potential for abuse. Now that I have more knowledge on the subject, I do not understand how it could be ruled as a Schedule I drug when multiple researches show it has clear signs of helping those who are in need. On top of that, there is a controversy that declares marijuana has the ability to actually cure cancer. Since it is an illegal substance, researchers have found it difficult to actually research this. I find this interesting since the cure for cancer has been so highly publicized and there are so many foundations trying to find the cure, but the illegalization is in the way of actually coming to a consensus about it. Also after conducting research, my thoughts about medicinal use of marijuana have changed greatly. Prior to reading about it, I did not know much about marijuana in a medical sense, but was more exposed to the recreational use aspect of it. Now that I have looked into it, I understand the immense importance it would have in the medical world. Someone I know suffers from glaucoma, so when I read that marijuana can aid in treating it, I was immediately pulled into how many people it could help.
Furthermore, based on the researches I have read about I believe that medicinal marijuana should be legalized. Learning of all the many ways it has the ability to help people, some of which are even close to me, provides me with a strong belief that more steps should be taken to legalize it in all states. On top of legalization, I think there should be a lot more awareness about the drug in a medical way. Everyone seems to be informed about it in a recreational sense, and growing up our education system provided us with multiple drug awareness programs talking about marijuana in a negative manner. I think it is just as important to discuss the positive effects, as it is to talk about the negative effects. More steps should be taken to proactively spread knowledge about which ways of use are harmful and which ways of use can be beneficial to patients suffering. This could help alleviate a lot of the negative stigma associated with marijuana. I also briefly mentioned how it is a Schedule I drug, and I strongly believe that should be changed. It has clear signs of medical use, and should at least be a Schedule II drug.
To add on, another thing that should be done is that communities should have more resources available for those interested about the research of medical use of marijuana. During my research, I learned that Illinois is one of the states that allows medicinal marijuana, as an Illinois resident I was not even aware of this because it is not something that is often talked about. I tried to look into resources on campus that could potentially help me research this topic and there were none available. Making resources more accessible could also help get rid of some of the stigma connected to marijuana.
To conclude, the legalization of medicinal marijuana could be beneficial to many people suffering with different diseases and illnesses.
It has the ability to assist those with certain types of cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, spinal chord injuries, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, and some neurological disorders. NORML’s article discussed the University of California’s center of medicinal cannabis’s multiple researches. These researches have shown how marijuana not only helps patients with certain diseases, but also alleviates a lot of symptoms such as nausea, aches, and pains. The lack of studies done about marijuana is related to the illegality of the drug. Once it becomes legalized medically and for research, there is the potential for a lot of new information about the benefits of it. There is a common misconception that the use of cannabis can kill your brain cells. This has been proven wrong many times. There is very little evidence that suggests it has neurotoxic qualities. I believe there is always room to research topics further, and in order for medicinal cannabis to become one of this, it has to start with
legalization.