Increasing Use of Medical Marijuana - Case Study Example

Introduction Cannabis is described as medical marijuana that includes seeds, pulp and medicines. The seeds of the cannabis plant are used in a number of food products as well as the oil of the seed might be utilized as a base in paints. Moreover, the blossoms as well as the leaves of the cannabis plant might be used in varied types of medical purposes to develop recreational drugs such as Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as well as Cannabidiol (CBD). All these drugs might be used to treat varied types of disorders and diseases like nausea, vomiting, muscle spasticity and many others. So, the medicines developed from cannabis are also known as psychoactive drugs. So, these drugs are offered high attention by the young generations of this era as compared to many other medical drugs (Politics. Co.UK. n. d). The thesis statement of this essay is to analyze the prime reasons for the increasing use of medical marijuana in the entire globe in this recent age. Body What is cannabis? Cannabis is recognized as marijuana. Cannabis or marijuana drugs are mainly used as a stimulant to increase the appetite of the body, improve the mood or relaxation of the entire body. So, it is also recognized as recreational drugs and excess intake of these drugs might cause negative impacts over the health of the body such as anxiety, reddening of the eyes, dry mouth, loss of memory and many others. Therefore, due to these sorts of side effects, it is illegal to carry or consuming a small amount of cannabis or medical marijuana in any of its form. But, in-spite of implementation of numerous rights and regulations of the government, the use of cannabis or medical marijuana is increasing at a rapid rate among the individual of all age groups and all income groups (Politics. Co.UK. n. d). Cannabis - High Use Rates increases Harms Cannabis or medical marijuana is considered as one of the most illicit drug in the entire globe, but legalizing its use for medical purposes created a considerable challenge for all. Due to such legalization, the usage rate of medical marijuana increased mainly among the youth adults of age-groups, 12 to 20 years. However, the rate of consumption of medical marijuana is also extremely high in the nations comprising of numerous rules and laws against its consumption rather than those, without comprising any laws. Therefore, due to increased rate of consumption of medical marijuana, the rate of crimes, alcohol consumption, loss of memory and deaths increased to a significant extent as compared to previous era. According to a research, conducted by Moir & et. al. (2008), it might be clearly depicted that the smoke of cannabis or marijuana comprises of more than 15,00 harmful and toxic chemicals such as carbon monoxide, irritants, hydrogen cyanide, carcinogens, ammonia and many others that may hinder the respiratory system, neurological system, heart, skin, mouth, eyes etc. Thus, chronic use of these drugs might also cause teratogenic, oncogenic as well as mutagenic impacts (Joycelyn, 2004). In addition to this, long term utilization of these recreational drugs might cause varied types of respiratory as well as psychiatric defects. Besides, use of cannabis or medical marijuana reduces the functioning or operations of the brain and it results in varied types of roads and vehicle accidents. Still its rate of consumption is increasing day by day among the young generations of the entire globe that increased the death rate as compared to birth rate (Moir & et. al. 2008). Supporting information in the form of quotes or paraphrased passages In-spite of numerous harmful impacts, the recreational drug or medical marijuana usage is increasing day by day in the recent years. The prime causes behind such usage might be described below. Medical usage: Cannabis or recreational drug might be consumed to improve the appetite of an individual. Moreover, it is also useful for treating varied types of non-cancerous pains, vomiting tendencies, nausea etc. Keeping these positive effects, in mind, some of the young individual desire to consume recreational drug or medical marijuana (David, 2012). Relief from HIV or AIDS: medical marijuana is also quite useful for the patients suffering from the disorder of HIV or AIDS. However, such drugs might be prescribed only for a specific time period and not for long run. Long term usage of these drugs may offer adverse impacts for the entire body. Vomiting: nausea, vomiting, dizziness, dysphoria and many more might get efficiently reduced with the help of consumption of recreational drugs or cannabis. Purpose of relaxation: the use of recreational drugs or medical marijuana is also increasing among the young adults of the society, just for recreational purposes. However, as per the statement of Dr. Geoffrey Guy, chairman GW Pharmaceuticals, in-spite of numerous medical usage, these drugs are not encouraged as they are controlled drugs and excess use may cause negative harm (Baxter & et. al. n. d.). However, in-spite of being a controlled drug, its consumption is increasing due to its legalization mainly within the nations of United States of America, Afghanistan, Burma, China, Jamaica, Lebanon, Mexico and many others. Identification and History of the Issue/Problem Cannabis or medical marijuana is mainly found in parts of Central and South Asia as Chinese medicinal herbs (Amar). It came into existence almost ten thousand years ago and in 2737 B.C, the Chinese Emperor Shen Nung, introduced its therapeutic utilizations. Moreover, in 18th century, Journals related to medicines of America stated that these recreational drugs are used to treat inflamed skin, incontinences, as well as venereal diseases. Furthermore, Dr. William O’Shaughnessy introduced that marijuana or recreational drug might be used to ease the signs of rheumatism, rabies, tetanus as well as cholera. Thus, due to these above mentioned positive impacts, the utilization of marijuana or cannabis in medical purpose increased significantly. However, keeping the positive impacts in mind, the government of numerous nations legalized the consumption of marijuana (Patrick, 2009). This increased the use of marijuana among the young adults within the nation of USA as presented in the below graph. (Whitehouse.gov, n. d.). Multiple proposed solutions and call of action In order to reduce the utilization of medical marijuana, strict government rules and regulations might be introduced. This strategy might prove effective in increasing the rate of births that may reduce the ratio of deaths. In addition to this, medical marijuana might be sold only to the adult citizens, only by showing a specific identification cards, address proof and telephone numbers. This might reduce the ratio of consumption of medical marijuana by the college students or young generations. In addition to these strategies, the government might improve the rate of advertisements in varied media’s in order to enhance the level of awareness among the young generations. The most effective strategy among all, mentioned above is proper evaluation of the identification proof of the individual desiring to purchase, medical marijuana from the shops or dealers. The prime reason behind this strategy is that, due to the implementation of identification cards, address proof and telephone numbers, in-spite of extensive desire, the college students with age groups below 18, may not purchase it. This might prove worthy in reducing the use of medical marijuana among the young generations. In order to implement it, firstly all the dealers and shop owners need to be presented its message. The shop owners need to check the identification proofs of the interested customers very vividly along with address proof and telephone numbers, before presenting the marijuana in the small amounts. Conclusion Conclusively, it might be stated that in order to reduce the increased usage of medical marijuana within the young generations of the society, the best way is to implement the law of presenting appropriate identification proofs. Proper identification proofs may not be available with each and every college students, desiring to consume marijuana and in this way the consumption rate might be reduced efficiently. Moreover, due to decreased rate of consumption, the birth rates of the individual might get enhanced as compared to death rates in the entire globe. References Baxter, J. H. & et. al. (No. Date). The Use of Cannabis for Medical Purposes. Retrieved from: http://www.drugfree.org.au/fileadmin/library/Cannabis/UseOfCannabisMedicalPurposesFinal.pdf. David, S. (2012). Is marijuana good medicine? Retrieved from: http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jul/26/opinion/la-oe-0726-sack-medical-marijuana-20120726. Joycelyn, E. (2004). Myths About Medical Marijuana. Retrieved from: http://americansforsafeaccess.org/section.php?id=344. Moir. D. & et al. (2008). A comparison of mainstream and sidestream marijuana and tobacco cigarette smoke produced under two machine smoking conditions. Chemical Research in Toxicology, Vol 21, pp. 494-502. Patrick, S. (2009). A Brief History of Medical Marijuana. Retrieved from: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1931247,00.html. Politics. Co.UK. (No. Date). Cannabis - Medicinal Use. Retrieved from: http://www.politics.co.uk/reference/cannabis-medicinal-use. Whitehouse.gov. (No. Date). What are the trends in marijuana use in the United States. Retrieved from: http://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/frequently-asked-questions-and-facts-about-marijuana. Read More