Pubdate: Wed, 01 Oct 2014
Source: Cluster, The (GA Edu)
Copyright: 2014 The Mercer Cluster
Contact:  http://mercercluster.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5532
Author: Caitlin Glasscock

MEDICAL MARIJUANA: BLURRING THE LINES

Medical marijuana, also referred to as cannabis, is a topic in the 
medical and drug field that brings up much debate over whether or not 
it should be legalized in all of the states.

Medical marijuana is legal in 23 states and Washington 
D.C.  Currently only two states have legalized marijuana for 
recreational use.  If medical marijuana is truly needed and 
beneficial, patients should have access to the treatment that will help them.

Several states have laws that decriminalize 
marijuana.  Decriminalization of marijuana means that minor 
possession charges will no longer be handled as serious crimes.  This 
could be compared to the legal actions taken towards traffic 
violations.  Legalization is where charges would not exist on the state level.

There is an accumulation of evidence that shows the proven medical 
benefits marijuana is able to provide.  Medical marijuana has been 
shown to help individuals suffering from various cancers, AIDS, 
glaucoma, and several other physical and mental conditions.

When marijuana comes to mind, most people would think of it as a 
plant that is being smoked.  Many feel that those who would be using 
medical marijuana would be smoking it and that this would be 
inappropriate and harmful for children and adults.  Many forms of 
medical marijuana are ingested orally rather than smoked.  It can be 
turned into a liquid, pill, or edible form to consume.

Many modern medicines can affect the health of patients just as much 
as the disease the medicine is treating.  Chemotherapy, a method of 
treating cancer, is one example of a medical treatment that harms 
patients while it treats them.  Chemotherapy uses chemical substances 
that are delivered to a patient intravenously.

Chemotherapy related toxins could affect the health of an individual 
after administration.  This can occur immediately after 
administration or several months later.  Chemotherapy can damage the 
immune system, resulting in serious health risks to the patient.

Marijuana is a natural substance that can be grown in a natural 
environment devoid of chemicals.  While it does not necessarily cure 
diseases on its own, it can be paired with treatments to be more 
effective than treatment by itself.  Medical marijuana has research 
backing its ability to ease chemotherapy-induced symptoms including 
nausea, loss of appetite and anxiety.

Pain relief is one of the most important benefits of medical 
marijuana.  This can be beneficial for individuals suffering from 
arthritis symptoms or other severe chronic diseases where the only 
alternative is a highly addictive prescription pain killer with a 
long list of unpleasant side effects.

While marijuana remains controversial and criminal in most of the 
country, it has the promise to heavily impact the country 
financially.  According to an article published on CNN, there is an 
estimated $7.6 billion being spent annually by state and local 
justice systems on marijuana arrests and prosecutions.  Marijuana is 
an extremely lucrative industry and not only would its legalization 
weaken the criminal element associated with the substance, it would 
increase tax revenues and jobs around the country.

Medical marijuana is an emotional subject because it blurs the line 
between "medicine" and "drugs".  The emotion needs to be taken out of 
medical marijuana and the focus should be put on the wealth of 
benefits it offers to those in need.   
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D