Medical Marijuana Debate Summary

This subject has been debated numerous times over the past few years. People’s points of view and researches about the topic have varied greatly. Some people believe that marijuana should be legalized, while the rest feel should stay prohibited. Proponents of marijuana argue that there are numerous medical benefits and that the drug is not more harmful than tobacco or alcohol. On the other hand, opponents argue that marijuana is too dangerous; its legalization would increase the chances of the drug falling into the hands of teens and that marijuana use often progresses to the use of more dangerous drugs like heroin and cocaine.

Until recently the use of marijuana has been criminalized. In the article “Marijuana Legalization and Decriminalization” it states “Marijuana has been used for centuries for medicinal purposes.” However during its prohibition people were arrested and sent to jail for selling and using it illegally. Alcohol was banned in the 1920’s and the ban was persuaded by the Anti-Saloon League as well as ideas of progressivism and religion. Although both are now legalized and becoming legalized the legalization process is more dissimilar than it is similar because of the uses of the substance's, State vs. Federal position, effects of the movement, processes it went through, and causes of government action.

Back in the early twentieth century, marijuana was mainly used for medical purposes in the US. Now, both it 's recreational and medical use is increasingly being consumed by the population and the tendency is to continue increasing. Much has been said about the use of marijuana as a solution to different health problems, and although not everything that is said is true, it cannot be ignored that marijuana can help in the treatment of some cases of adult patients. CNN’s chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, was opposed to the medicinal use of cannabis. Based on his knowledge as a neurologist, he was convinced that the drug was dangerous and had dismissed its supposed therapeutic benefits.

According to the Center for Disease Control, “opioid-related overdose deaths now outnumber overdose deaths involving all illicit drugs such as heroin and cocaine combined.” Another study found that people who have access to medical marijuana are less at risk of developing painkiller abuse or dying from prescription drug overdoses. Prescription painkiller abuse and overdose is a rapidly-growing problem in America, and the signs are pointing to medical marijuana as a solution. Statistics show that about 53% of people who become addicted to opioid painkillers obtained them free from a friend or relative. The only way to stop this is to stop prescribing opioid-based narcotics.

MEMORANDUM TO: MINISTER OF HEALTH, THE HONOURABLE JANE PHILPOTT FROM: PARLIAMENT SECRETARY, SANDRA CERVANTES SUBJECT: MEDICAL MARIJUANA REGULATION IN CANADA DATE: NOVEMBER 27, 2015 Statement of the Problem: Although the current Federal legislation in Canada permits the usage of medical cannabis to aid in the treatment of various illnesses and diseases, smoking it continues to be illegal . Furthermore, various medical studies have proven that the ingestion of medical marijuana is far more beneficial than any other form of consumption . Additionally, many medical cannabis patients happen to be children suffering from extreme epilepsy, seniors who are constantly struggling due to severe Alzheimer’s or those with severe arthritis and smoking

Marijuana has long since been an illegal in the United States. Marijuana became illegal in the 1930’s. Before it became illegal in the 1930’s, it was very popular. The entire plant was used for medical, spiritual and industrial purposes. At the beginning of the century Marijuana was classified as a drug of abuse and categorized as a Class I drug.

Despite different medical cannabis laws in forty states, cannabis is still illegal under federal law. The federal government regulates drugs through the Controlled Substances Act, which does not recognize the difference between medical and recreational use of cannabis. These laws are generally applied only against persons who possess, cultivate, or distribute large quantities of cannabis. The federal government claims that cannabis is not medicine, it is a very harmful substance such as cocaine or heroine, the United States Supreme Court held that the federal government has the constitutional authority to prohibit cannabis for all purposes. Furthering, federal law enforcement officials may prosecute medical cannabis patients, even if they grow their own medicine and even if they live in a state where medical cannabis usage is protected under state law.

Marijuana, morphine, heroin, and cocaine continued to be used when the Prohibition was over in 1933. In 1937, 46 states decided to ban the use of marijuana for the reason that it was dangerous and a potential drug for addiction. Fast forward 60 years, states

Marijuana is easy to cultivate. It is illegal to cultivate a lot at once because even though the state allows it because the federal government never legalized it. In the end, it would greatly help the country and we would

In fact, many doctors already prescribe it.” Until this very day, I still question why has it this drug become illegal all over the world. After I did my research, I realized that we shouldn’t consider it harmful. These natural plants called cannabis, also known as marijuana are acknowledged everywhere.

Today the demands are changing in different states. In States such as Colorado and Washington, marijuana has been legalized for recreational use. This move raised several questions as far as decriminalization of marijuana is concerned. Besides portraying the US in a bad light, legalization of marijuana for recreation increases the risk of developing mental problems, increases government expenditure on public health, jeopardizes the future of children, and is a gateway to other dangerous drugs. Increased health problems and public health expenditure-

The legalization of marijuana has widespread benefits for the medical, law enforcement, and economic sectors. Marijuana has a variety of benefits in the medical field because it can control many side effects from different diseases. For instance, cancer is a deadly disease that kills over seven million people across the world every year. Patients diagnosed with cancer go through several painful treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy. Thankfully, marijuana helps to alleviate pain and suppress nausea from cancer treatments.

Marijuana is one of the plants that has both positive and negative side effects for the users. Most people have considered marijuana as a taboo, but the truth is, marijuana is not always illegal; it has been used by our ancestors since ancient times, as a traditional medicine. It has also been proven from laboratory research that marijuana can cure various diseases, including nerve-related disease. Therefore, the use of marijuana should not be regarded as controversial, but as an alternative treatment, especially for the nerve system.

Recently the use of medical marijuana has become a very controversial topic among the community and government. Marijuana has a stereotype with hippies and drug offences, often leading to its medical benefits being overlooked consequently marijuana is only rarely given to patients with extreme conditions. It is not being used efficiently as well as not being used to its potential. Several states in Australia still consider the use of medical marijuana a prohibited act and the few states and territories that don’t prohibit the drug only allow the use for medical conditions. However, it is very restricted regarding who can access the medicine.

There is no reason that a matter which can use in medical ways considered as illegal. Illegality of marijuana does not makes it unreachable and there is still a lot of people using and selling it. The using marijuana is not harmful than drinking alcohol and smoking cigarette. Illegality of marijuana does not makes it unreachable and