Taking Sides Paper: The Pros and Cons of Using Medical Marijuana

The phrase medical marijuana characterizes the act of using the whole or part of an unprocessed marijuana plant to medicate various symptoms of illnesses. Also, despite the usage of medical marijuana for treatment purposes, it has not yet been approved for medicinal usage by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Moreover, the Marijuana plant has chemicals that aid in the treatment of a range of illnesses as well as symptoms. As such, most people argue that it should be legalized for clinical purposes. This essay is a discussion of the pros and cons of using medical marijuana in the state, as well as the biblical and personal perspective of using the drug for medical reasons.

Pros of Using Medical Marijuana

Treatment of Chronic Pain

It is considered to be the leading medical condition that is treated using medical marijuana. This is because marijuana works in a similar way to a range of over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen as well as aspirin. Also, medical marijuana aids in reducing inflammation as well as the pain that is related to inflammation. Furthermore, the marijuana plant is believed to possess THC compound, which is a chemical that is believed to have pain relieving capabilities. Additionally, a clinical review that was carried out in 2015 on 6 differing trials portrayed that 325 patients were successfully treated for chronic pains using medical marijuana (Hill, 2015). Also, the findings of this review was a solid justification that medical marijuana can help in reducing chronic pain.

Cancer Treatment

In the recent years, the use medical marijuana for the treatment of cancer has become increasingly common. Particularly, medical marijuana has been very effective in the reduction of nausea as well as vomiting for cancer patients during chemotherapy. Moreover, in research conducted using mice as well as rats, the THC in marijuana triggers the death of excessive cells in numerous forms of cancer cells. Furthermore, in 2007, research conducted at Harvard University illustrated that THC in marijuana aided in reducing the size of lung tumors in lab rats by 50% (American Association for Cancer Research, 2017). Additionally, these findings portray that medical marijuana has significant positive effects on the treatment of cancer.

Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

In 2015, a review of multiple trials was conducted to ascertain the effectiveness of medical marijuana in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Additionally, the review focused on 12 studies as well as a total of 1600 patients and it was concluded that medical marijuana was effective in managing symptoms of pain (Hill, 2015). Moreover, past research has portrayed that smoked marijuana is effective in managing multiple sclerosis symptoms like spasticity as well as sleep difficulties (Corey-Bloom et al., 2012). Furthermore, a pharmaceutical cannabis extract, which is known as Sativex can be issued as an intervention for the medication of spasticity in multiple sclerosis. Additionally, medical marijuana for the treatment of multiple sclerosis has been approved in numerous nations including UK, Canada, New Zealand as well as Australia.

Treatment of Glaucoma

Medical marijuana can also be employed for the treatment of liver disorders. Additionally, CBD is a chemical compound found in marijuana that helps in the cell death effect of the hepatic stellate cells, which contribute to liver scarring. A research that was performed in 2002 showed that medical marijuana was able to treat the cholesterol liver disease among three patients that were employed for the study (Leaf Science, 2017). Additionally, the findings of this study portrayed that the CBD compound in marijuana is effective in reducing the magnitude of scarring in a persons liver in the event it is damaged.

Cons of Using Medical Marijuana

Creates an Increased Risk of Psychosis

One of the primary reasons why medical marijuana is not preferred for treatment is because it elevates a persons risk of developing psychosis, the acute mental problem as well as schizophrenia. Additionally, past research has shown that marijuana has strong psychoactive effects that are inclusive of hallucination, confusion, memory loss as well as anxiety (Atakan, 2012). Furthermore, the elements that cause psychotic tendencies in Marijuana are tetrahydrocannabinol and endocannabinoids. As such, most critics against medical marijuana argue that it should not be used for medical purposes.

There Is a Potential for Abuse

Past research has portrayed that marijuana poses an insignificant danger to a person if used for medical reasons. However, the prolonged use of marijuana outside the parameters of health improvement places the user at the risk of addiction. Additionally, it also causes prolonged marijuana users to portray characteristics that are similar to those of a person suffering from mental disorders. Ultimately, in such cases, marijuana can be harmful to a persons wealth.

Personal Perspective

I believe that medical marijuana is an essential medical intervention that should be fully supported by all governments for extensive clinical usage. This is because it is a cheaper alternative to modern medicine in treating chronic conditions like cancer and terminal pain. Additionally, past research has proven that under clinical guidance, medical marijuana can be beneficial to patients. Also, the harmful side effects of marijuana use can be prevented by always ensuring that it is used for clinical purposes. As such, I would lobby the states that have not yet legalized marijuana to fully acknowledge it as a clinically proven drug essential for medical purposes

Christian Perspective

There is no decisive biblical answer to whether it is religiously or morally right for Christians to use medical marijuana. This is primarily because marijuana use for medical reasons is not addressed in any section of the Bible. Additionally, while there may be justified scientific reasons for using marijuana for treatment, the usage of the drug for treatment should lay specifically on the decision of the Christian patient.

Conclusion

In conclusion, medical marijuana can be effective if used for clinical purposes. This is because it has been ascertained to be an effective cure for a range of disease, though it has not yet been approved by the FDA. Additionally, the pros of using the drug for treatment include its ability to treat chronic pains, cancer as well as multiple sclerosis. Nevertheless, the usage of medical marijuana includes its potential to elevate the risk of psychosis and exposure to medical abuse for patients who continue with the prolonged usage of medical marijuana.

References

American Association for Cancer Research. (2017). Marijuana Cuts Lung Cancer Tumor Growth In Half, Study Shows. Retrieved from Science Daily: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070417193338.htm

Atakan, Z. (2012). Cannabis, a complex plant: different compounds and different effects on individuals. Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology. doi:10.1177/2045125312457586

Corey-Bloom, J., Wolfson, T., Gamst, A., Jin, S., Marcotte, T. D., Bentley, H., & Gouaux, B. (2012). Smoked cannabis for spasticity in multiple sclerosis: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association Journal, 184(10), 11431150. doi:10.1503/cmaj.110837

Hill, K. P. (2015). Medical Marijuana for Treatment of Chronic Pain and Other Medical and Psychiatric Problems A Clinical Review. Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), 313(24), 2474-2483. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.6199

Leaf Science. (2017). What Are The Medical Benefits of Marijuana? Retrieved from Leaf Science: https://www.leafscience.com/2017/10/13/medical-benefits-marijuana/

Appendices

Questions

What are the ethical concerns that should be considered when using medical marijuana?

What could be the economic impact to the United States government if all states legalized Marijuana usage?