Use of marijuana for medical purposes in Florida - Essay Example

Running head: Use of Marijuana for Medical Purposes in Florida USE OF MARIJUANA FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES IN FLORIDA Goes Here al Affiliation Goes HereAbstractThe paper pertains to the pros and cons of using Marijuana for medical purposes in the state of Florida. Marijuana and its Medical UseThe term marijuana refers primarily to the unprocessed marijuana plant or its extract that is used as the recreational drug all over the world. Since some years, increasing number of people is using unprocessed marijuana for medical purposes.

Although, FDA or U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the two medications that contain chemicals found in marijuana that is widely known as cannabinoids, but it has not approved marijuana as the medicinal plant (Norml, 2015).The scientists in pharmaceutical fields are conducted continuous research and development upon marijuana for treatment of vast range of symptoms as well as illness including mental as well as physical health issues. As per these scientists, the chemicals contained in marijuana have lot of potential for treatment of various diseases.

Due to these reasons, more and more people support the arguments regarding making it legal for medicinal purpose (Norml, 2015). In fact, more and more states in the country are legalizing the use of marijuana in medications. Till the last count, twenty four states of the country have allowed the use of marijuana for various medicinal purposes. StakeholdersAs regards legalizing marijuana, the primary US stakeholders are the law enforcement wing, the medical community and of course, the citizens.

As per a survey, the strongest supporters of legalizing marijuana are the 18-35 age groups (Millennials). On the other hand, the most vociferous opposition is from the age group of 70-87, the Silent Generation (Pew Research, 2015).The Advantages of Using Marijuana The people who are supporting the use of marijuana point out that marijuana can be used for various medicinal purposes. One of the main uses of medicinal marijuana is to reduce pain. There can be many reasons of the pain, such as a normal headache or a fatal disease such as cancer, or any long-term health issue such as nerve pain or glaucoma (Harding, 2015).

If the patient stays in a state where it is legal to purchase medical marijuana, he or she can get marijuana card with permission of the doctor. Further, he or she can enroll in the list so that they can purchase medical marijuana from any authorized seller. The other diseases where medical marijuana can be prescribed are weight loss that is caused due to chronic illness such as nerve pain or HIV, the seizure disorders, muscle spasms due to multiple sclerosis and Crohn’s disease. Some other health issues include the treatment for nausea caused due to cancer chemotherapy (Harding, 2015).

Disadvantages of Using Marijuana for Medical PurposeAlthough there are experts who swear regarding the medicinal uses of marijuana, but studies regarding these properties are still at a trial stage. Before complete approval, FDA or U.S. Food and Drug Administration require the results of extensive clinical trials that have not been conducted (Drugabuse, 2015). Although doctors in approved states have started using medical marijuana for pain and other health issues, there is really not any difference between medical marijuana as well as the unprocessed recreational drug, to which many people in USA are addicted.

The legalization of medical marijuana would create more health and law issues than solutions, as teenagers and young adults may start abusing marijuana in an unrestricted manner, causing potential antisocial issues. In addition to that, medical marijuana has lot of side-effects such as short-term memory loss, psychosis, severe anxiety, euphoria, dizziness and drowsiness. With regular use, the patient also runs the risk of becoming an addict. ConclusionSince its discovery as a recreational drug in Western countries, marijuana has been banned all over the world due to its addictive nature as a recreational drug.

But since last few years, more and more people are extolling its virtue for medicinal qualities. However, I am opposed to this position as medicinal marijuana is just another name of unprocessed product that is used on streets as the recreational drug that has ruined the life of many people around the world.As for its medicinal qualities, the research, tests and the clinical trials are still under process, so there are not much scientific proof for the claims. Works CitedDrugabuse.gov. 2015.

“What is medical marijuana?”[ ONLINE], Available from, http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana-medicine, [ Accessed 18 May, 2015].Harding, A., 2015. “ Medical Marijuana” , ?”[ ONLINE], Available from http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/features/medical-marijuana-uses, [ Accessed 20 May, 2015].Norml.org. 2015. “About Marijuana” [ONLINE], Available from, http://norml.org/aboutmarijuana, [Accessed 18 May, 2015]. Pew Research Center (2015). Why Americans Support or Oppose Legalizing Marijuana.

http://www.pewresearch.org/topics/drugs/ [Accessed 21 May, 2015].