Legalization of Medical Marijuana in United States - Essay Example

Legalization of Medical Marijuana in United s Executive Summary: The medical use of marijuana has a long history though it was banned by the Federal Government of late citing its ill effects similar to other narcotic drugs. But several recent studies found its significant medical benefits when used in patients with cancer and AIDS. It significantly reduces pain and other health implications in patients. Under these circumstances efforts have been made to legalize its medical use. The present study reviewed a number of research documents, journal and newspaper articles to study the current legal status of the medical use of marijuana in the United States. The medical benefits and adversities were also taken into account. Findings: The findings of the study showed that the positive effects of marijuana can certainly overwhelm its ill effects which are again found to be very mild and of low occurrence. Still the Federal laws are found to be against its legalization. Though some states have legalized its use, they are also under the influence of the Federal laws. Cultural and political barriers also play a significant role in this regard. It is seen that the battle is still on and a growing number of states including New York, Connecticut, Oklahoma, etc. are on the way of legalizing its use. Conclusion: While the positive effects of the medical use of marijuana can not be denied, its adversities related to health and recreational use need also be considered for the purpose of its legalization. But the restricted use of marijuana in medical purposes only can always be encouraged for the benefits of the patients with painful ailments. Table of Contents Items Page Number Introduction 3 Background of the Problem 3 Methodology 4 Results and Analysis 4 Conclusion 7 Works Cited 8 Introduction: The medical use of marijuana can be dated long back in the world history of medicine. It has been found to be used in several countries and cultures to relieve chronic pain and in the treatment of various ailments like asthma, nausea, migraine, hypertension, anxiety, insomnia, epilepsy and even cancer. But the wide use of marijuana as the recreational drug was also common historically. The active ingredient in marijuana, the delta tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), was found to boost mood, perception and consciousness. This property of marijuana resulted in controversy related to the legalization of its use. The critics argue that legalization of marijuana may provoke its use for recreational purpose rather than medical purpose. Some critics also disagree with the medical benefits of marijuana. The current paper concentrates on the issue of legalization of the medical use marijuana focusing on the pros and cons of its use and on the medical, government and legal approaches regarding the controversy. Background of the Problem: The use of marijuana for medicinal purposes was common historically. Its earliest written evidence was found in Chinese literature from fifteenth century B.C. Several articles were published in medical journals regarding the therapeutic use of marijuana. The modern phase of therapeutic use of cannabis began about 140 years ago when reports on its effectiveness as an analgesic and anticonvulsant were found. At about the same time its use in melancholia and other psychiatric illnesses was also demonstrated. The favorable results of marijuana use were observed in producing sleep, enhancing appetite and not causing physical addiction (Zeese). But several researchers also advocate the ill effects of marijuana in terms of respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous system disorders. They are seriously against the use of marijuana through smoking. The recreational and addictive use of marijuana is also a great concern for them. This has led the Federal government to make the use of marijuana illegal at national level through the implementation of Controlled Substances Act. Campaigns have also been launched to discredit marijuana. But the modern researches were able to find the beneficial effects of marijuana on patients with serious ailments and twelve states including Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington have made the medical use of marijuana legalized at the state level. Important debate is under way regarding its legalization in states like Oklahoma, Connecticut, New York, etc. and marijuana use is increasingly getting support in these states. Methodology: For the current paper I used the approach of reviewing some published newspaper articles regarding the legalization of medical use of marijuana. Some online articles and research documents were also studied to get an insight of the beneficial and harmful effects of the plant. The approach of the government and the legal authorities is reviewed from these articles. Medical journal articles are also a good source for the study. The papers selected were focused on the medical use of marijuana only and not on its recreational use. The newspaper articles selected are focused on the legal status of the medical use of marijuana in different states of the United States. Results and Analysis: Several studies were made in relation to the medical benefits of the use of marijuana and those papers presented solid base for recommending marijuana to the patients and thereby supported the legalization of its medical use. Marijuana is found to be beneficial for AIDS patients in controlling appetite, vomiting and nausea. It is also a reliever of pain and side effects of chemotherapy in cancer patients. Studies showed that about 80% of AIDS patients using marijuana as anti-emetic prefer it over any other synthetic prescription drugs. Marijuana is also found to lower intraocular eye pressure in glaucoma. It controls muscle spasm in patients with multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, spinal cord injury, paraplegia and quadriplegia (Zeese). The studies conducted by the state departments of New Mexico, Michigan, Tennessee, New York, Georgia and California found marijuana to be highly effective anti-emetic drug with very mild or no side effects even in patients who failed to improve with other prescribed anti-emetics (Zeese). Marijuana taken through smoking is found to work fast but the effects also remove fast. The oral intake of marijuana takes time to work but the effect lasts longer. But use of marijuana also showed some adverse effects as found by Wang, Collet, Shapiro and Ware (1669). The most common adverse effects that were reported in their study are the relapse of multiple sclerosis in 12.8% cases, vomiting in 9.8% cases and the infection of urinary tract in 9.1% cases. The most common non-serious adverse effect was dizziness as reported by 15.5% subjects. The study could not point out towards any long term serious effects of marijuana use due to lack of enough studies. The Federal laws of USA prevents the use of marijuana treating it as a narcotic drug and keeping in mind its ill effects on brain functioning related to memory, learning and coordination. A 2005 report in the San Francisco Chronicle by Herel points to a ruling by the Supreme Court which enabled the Federal Government to prosecute people who use marijuana for medical reasons. But more recent newspaper reports showed increasing tolerance towards the use of marijuana in different states of the country. Some states have already legalized the use of marijuana. California, allows for the rapid proliferation of cannabis clubs and privately owned distribution centers. New Mexico requires the state’s Department of Health to oversee production and distribution of marijuana. Legalization of the medical use of marijuana is also being considered in a more states. In New York a bill has already been passed regarding the legal use of marijuana by the doctors. The issues related to its plantation, distribution, etc, are under consideration, clearing which it will be legalized in the state (Hakim & Grynbaum). The Drug Policy Forum of Oklahoma is a long time warrior in this field. They knew patients with serious diseases who would be benefited with the legalization of marijuana. They also cited cases where patients had been prosecuted by Federal law for using marijuana. One such example is the 38-year-old Will Foster who was imprisoned for 93 years because of cultivating marijuana to use for his crippling arthritis (Bryce). Connecticut also followed the way when the state senate passed a bill allowing people with serious medical needs to grow four marijuana plants with doctor’s recommendation and registration with the State Department of Consumer Protection (Stowe). The legalities related to the medical use of marijuana suffer when some doctors believe that marijuana dose not have any positive health effect, rather it damages health. There are cultural barriers also considering marijuana to be harmful and illegal. From the legislative point of view it was seen that the Federal court is completely against marijuana and consider it to be as dangerous as cocaine though some state level courts as found above are more lenient to marijuana and are not always against its legalization. The government approach is the most important factor related to the legalization of marijuana as officials are often found to use power to discourage people from using it. Even the FDA has been influenced to stop researching on marijuana use. State governments are hugely influenced by federal government in the use of marijuana. The police department finds it confusing to distinguish legal and illegal users in the states which legalized marijuana as the use is still illegal under Federal law (“The Legalization….”). Thus as a whole it can be said that the issue of legalization of medical use of marijuana is a very complex one and requires consideration of various aspects other than the medical one only. But it is evident from the above findings that the adverse effects of marijuana are really mild and insignificant when compared to the benefits it provides to the patients. Conclusion: To conclude the entire discussion it can be said that the positive effects of marijuana to the seriously ailing patients are surely able to overshadow the negative effects it has. The occurrence of adverse effects is also very low compared to the occurrence of benefits. Thus legalizing the medical use of marijuana should be considered seriously to give some relief to such patients. The huge cost of the drug needs also be considered in this regard to make it more easily available to the patients. The possibility of recreational use may not be ignored in this regard and the governments can consider restrictive plantation, distribution and use of the drug under strict supervision by the legislative authorities and the registered medical practitioners. Strict medical supervision can also be helpful to restrict the possible adverse effects of marijuana. Works Cited 1) Bryce, Courtney. “Forum to discuss medical marijuana”. Edmond Sun. 18 April 2008. 2) Hakim, Danny and Michael M. Grynbaum. “Legislators grapple over how to legalize medical marijuana use”. The New York Times. 14 June 2007. 3) Herel, Suzanne. “Supreme Court: Feds can prosecute medical pot users”. San Francisco Chronicle. 6 June 2005. 4) Stowe, Stacey. “Marijuana Law in Connecticut Gains Ground”. The New York Times. 11 June 2007. 5) “The Legalization of Marijuana for Medical Use.” 123HelpMe.com. 2007. Available at:     (accessed on 28 July 2008). 6) Wang, Tongtong, Jean-Paul Collet, Stan Shapiro and Mark A.Ware. “Adverse effects of medical cannabinoids: A systematic review”. Canadian Medical Association Journal 178.13 (2008): 1669-1678. 7) Zeese, Kevin B. “Research Findings on Medicinal Properties of Marijuana”. Common Sense for Drug Policy. 1999. Available at: (accessed on 28 July 2008). Read More