Should Medical Marijuana be used for Treatment - Essay Example

Should the Medical marijuana be used for treatment? Outline Outline 2 3 Background 4 Introduction 5 Pro argument 1 5 Pro argument 2 6 Pro argument 3 7 Counter argument 1 7 Conclusion 9 Abstract Marijuana has been used as a drug for very many years and its negative effects has led to its illegalization in many countries. It has adverse effects ranging from addiction to complex conditions such as heart attacks. However, doctors have realized that it also has medical advantages and can treat diseases such as cancer which have no other medication. Doctors are now torn between its advantages and disadvantages and whether it may be used for medical purposes or not. However, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages and hence it is not recommended for medical use. Background Marijuana is a popular drug worldwide which comes from a plant called cannabis sativa and can either be in the form of dried leaves, flowers, stem or the seeds of the plant (Harris et al, 2000). Marijuana is also known as marijuana and comes from the cannabis plant and it has psychoactive chemicals such as the tetrahydrocannabinol among other 84 chemicals. Marijuana contains a mind altering chemical scientifically known as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and has high concentration of hash oil (Harris et al, 2000). The drug is taken in hand rolled cigarettes or in emptied cigars or can also be taken in food or tea. Marijuana has been used as an illicit drug for many years but debate has risen on whether it can be used for medical reason after a discovery by doctors on its medical benefits despite being a drug. Introduction Medical researchers have come up with an argument that the components in marijuana are medically advantageous since they have the potential to treat pain, nausea and vomiting. However, the researchers have also stated that it has a potential health risk since its prolonged use can cause lung damage, mental complications and have potential to impair cognitive ability of its user. The researchers also say that despite being medically important, it can cause risk of addiction and leaves everyone with the question of whether it should be used or whether it should not be used Pro argument 1 The THC chemical in marijuana penetrates into the blood and lungs very first when the drug is smokes or taken by any other means. The rate of penetration is higher when smoked as compared to when taken in food or in tea (Stephens, Roffman & Curtin, 2000). The chemical in marijuana affects the cannabinoid receptors which are brain cells that play an important role in brain development (Shohov, 2003). The cannabinoid receptors are responsible for thinking, reception and coordination of movement and hence are very important to human life. Marijuana makes the cannabinoid receptors to overreact when performing their function in that the user will have altered perceptions, difficulty in thinking and impaired coordination (Winterborne, 2008). Marijuana also affects the rate of brain development and its negative effects on thinking and memory capacity last forever especially when the drug is used by adults(Stephens, Roffman & Curtin, 2000). A study done in the USA revealed that the use of the drug among teenagers led to reduction in IQ by 8% every year as compared to a normal teenager who did not use the drug. The research also showed that the drug led to loss of cognitive abilities among the teenagers and they did not regain normal condition even after they stopped using the drug. Any type of smoke regardless of its source, when inhaled into the lungs is unhealthy and can cause malfunction of the lungs. The smoke produced by marijuana affects the lungs and has similar effects to those that tobacco smokers cause to their lungs. Smoking of marijuana causes a lot of coughing, chest sickness and poses a danger of infecting the lungs(Abrams, 2008). A research conducted in Canada showed that people marijuana smokers missed more days in work as a result of respiratory illnesses. Medical experts say that marijuana smoke damages the airways and prevent sufficient oxygen intake which is essential for effective operation of body organs. Smoke from marijuana produces tar that that blocks the respiratory tract by 5 times as compared to normal tobacco smoking(Abrams, 2008). The smoke in marijuana also lads to increase in carboxyhaemoglobin saturation which poses a great health risk to the user and also causes poor functioning of body organs such as the brain, liver and the kidneys Pro argument 2 Marijuana smoking affects the heart instantly after smoking and can raise the heart rate by 20-100 % which is very dangerous(Harris et al, 2000). This effect lasts for at least three hours and to people suffering from high blood pressure, it causes instant death. The increased heart rate poses a risk of heart attack immediately after smoking which is a dangerous condition that causes quick death especially among the older individuals or those with cardiac vulnerabilities. In Jamaica, marijuana accounts for 35% of all the cases of mental illness that are reported. This rate is very high and it shows the extent to which the drug damages the brain. Intake of marijuana regardless of the quantity taken lead to hallucinations and paranoia and these effects could last for about five to eight hours depending on the quantity taken. Other mental problems such as depression, suicidal thoughts and lack of motivation have close connection to prolonged intake of marijuana(Harris et al, 2000) Pro argument 3 The women who take marijuana while pregnant have a risk of causing neurobehavioral problems to the babies they are carrying. Due to the ability of the chemical compound in marijuana to copy the bodies’ endocannabinoid chemicals, its intake can affect the brain development of the infant and eventually lead to the birth of a child who has complications in attention, memory capacity and low IQ (Winterborne, 2008). Another common risk caused by marijuana is the risk of causing accidents due to impaired judgments and poor coordination. Marijuana like many other drugs is very addictive and research has shown that 17% percent of people who smoke marijuana are highly addicted to it. The rate of addiction is higher in the young people as compared to the old people. Attempts to quit using the drug leads to symptoms such as sleeplessness, depression and anxiety which are all dangerous to the health of the user. There is no medication available for withdrawal from marijuana addiction since workings on endocannabinoid systems have not shown positive effects in terms of recovery Counter argument 1 Despite having many disadvantages in terms of negative effects on the user, marijuana also has some positive effects which are leading to researchers proposing that it be used for medicinal purposes. Marijuana is very effective in fast relieve of pain on patients. Many patients suffer from excessive pain while undergoing treatment and the normal painkillers seem not to withdraw pain fully. When marijuana is used in such situations very positive outcome is shown since the patient experiences instant pain relieve. Apart from relieving pain, marijuana has also been found to treat nausea caused by diseases such as cancer and HIV/AIDS which are very common diseases currently. The therapeutic benefits of marijuana have made it gain support by many doctors who propose that it should be legalized for medicinal purposes. The high cannabinoid concentration in marijuana plays a role in strengthening the immune system and can also have a positive effect in memory. Research has proved that rare Consumption of marijuana in small quantities can lead to increase in memory and IQ. Doctors have also realized that marijuana can be used as a getaway drug although its prolonged use can lead to the body building up tolerance. Some researchers have also proved that when used in a non-smoke form, marijuana can be beneficial in improving the immune system in HIV/AIDS patients and prolong their lives (Mikuriya, 2009). Marijuana has been found to be medically important since increase appetite and hence can be used by patients experiencing low appetite. Its chemical composition can be used to treat health complications such as epilepsy and sexual dysfunction which are very common medical conditions. Marijuana has chemical properties that enable it to cure which is the current world greatest killer disease. Marijuana cures cancer and can help save the costs that people pay while undergoing cancer therapies and many times the cancer even re occurs after the therapy. A research performed by the California University showed that Cannabidiol chemical present in marijuana prevents spreading of cancerous cells (Mikuriya, 2009). It can also be used to increase the rate of recovery in cases of spinal cord injuries and bipolar disorders. The biggest benefit associated with marijuana is the relief of chronic and neuropathic pain and this has been proved in countries where marijuana use is legal (Mack & Joy, 2000). Conclusion Despite marijuana having a couple of medical benefits, the numerous disadvantages and risks it poses to the health of its user outweigh the advantages. Allowing use of marijuana for medical purposes would otherwise mean that the drug is legal for use and chances of abuse will increase. Researchers have identified the various positive effects it has but up to now no research has shown the quantity to which it should be taken and hence more research should be done before using it for medical purposes. There are many other substitute drugs that can be used instead of marijuana and medical experts should capitalize on inventing new drugs rather identifying positivity in drugs that have already shown negative effects among the users. Using the drug for medicinal purposes will increase the risk of the drug being abused and in the end the outcome will be more negative. References Abrams, D. I. (2008). Medical marijuana: tribulations and trials. Journal of psychoactive drugs, 30(2), 163-169. Harris, D., Jones, R. T., Shank, R., Nath, R., Fernandez, E., Goldstein, K., & Mendelson, J. (2000). Self-reported marijuana effects and characteristics of 100 San Francisco medical marijuana club members. Journal of Addictive Diseases, 19(3), 89-103. Mack, A., & Joy, J. E. (2000). Marijuana as medicine?: The science beyond the controversy. Washington, D.C: National Academy Press. Mikuriya, T. H. (2009). Marijuana in medicine: past, present and future. California medicine, 110(1), 34-35. Shohov, T. (2003). Medical use of marijuana: Policy, regulatory, and legal issues. New York: Nova Science Publishers. Stephens, R. S., Roffman, R. A., & Curtin, L. (2000). Comparison of extended versus brief treatments for marijuana use. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 68(5), 898-900. Winterborne, J. (2008). Medical Marijuana / Cannabis Cultivation: Trees of Life at the University of London. Pukka Pr. Read More