use of marijuana as medicine PDF

Running Head: EDUCATION 1
Marijuana as Medicine
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EDUCATION 2
Introduction
The use of marijuana as medicine has always been a much-debated topic. A lot has been said
and written about the customary practice of using medical marijuana in the medical, legal and
moral communities. While the supporters of marijuana as medicine vouch for its effectiveness in
combating pain and side effects, the federal government still doesn’t approve it. The limited
awareness among public and scanty research done on marijuana are the reasons behind the
ongoing debate on the controversial subject of using marijuana as medicine. Adequate research,
higher awareness and greater cooperation between the federal and scientific bodies can help
build support for the legalized use of marijuana in the medication field.
Advocates of medical marijuana claim that marijuana provides an effective treatment for
many types of chronic pain. Most patients get permission to use medical marijuana suffer from
chronic pain. Certainly, cannabis compounds therapy includes not just pain but cancer, HIV,
seizures, and epilepsy as asserted by Patel, Williams & Wallace (2017). However, at the same
time, there is substantial evidence that those treated with cannabinoid products are seen to have a
modest reduction in pain symptoms. Likewise, the use of oral cannabinoid products for multiple
sclerosis-related spasticities, the effects of medical marijuana was modest (Patel, Williams &
Wallace, 2017). However, as research in these trials were short-term, the findings are generalized
and thus point to the need for further research in this area.
It is claimed that there are already some prescription drugs in the market that are far more
addictive than marijuana. One cannot deny that there are several legal and illegal drugs in the
market that contain addictive properties. There are prescription drugs, nicotine, and substances
like Alcohol and caffeine that are widely used and are addictive (Rehabs, 2018). Many
physicians face difficulties in weaning their patients off some prescription drugs that can be

EDUCATION 3
dangerously addictive, for example, OxyContin, Percocet as stated by Boeri & Lamonica (2017).
Nevertheless, marijuana tends to be the most addictive, and it is because of the chemical
compound, THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the psychoactive constituent of cannabis. The
recent research on the usage of Cannabis, cannabinoids and medicinal marijuana reveal potential
dangerous and adverse effects of cannabis use (Greydanus, Hawver, Greydanus & Merrick,
2013). Generalized consumption of specific cannabinoid compounds can lead to serious health
risks like psychosis, dependence, and schizophrenia. Moreover, long-term consumption of
marijuana components can weaken the immune system and impair the motor coordination as
asserted by Greydanus et al. (2013).
The supporters of medical marijuana encourage marijuana legalization and cite the
example of many US states where the use of marijuana for medical purpose is legalized. While
there are surprising potential benefits of marijuana legalization and in an epidemiological study,
it was found that mortality rates due to opiate-related overdose were lower in states where
marijuana was legalized for medical purposes as stated by Boeri & Lamonica (2017). More
extensive use of medical marijuana is known to lower the abuse of addictive pain medications.
Still, even in those states where medical marijuana is allowed, the physicians are not permitted to
recommend it and only advise such therapy (Marcoux, Larrat & Vogenberg, 2013). Even with
those positive findings, there is still a need for more in-depth research on the benefits of using
medical marijuana and getting FDA and DEA approval is not easy. Drug researchers are well
aware of those uncertainties, and the public is confused about the effective use of marijuana
medical purposes. The American Society of Health System Pharmacists advises the pharmacists
to be aware of the medical marijuana laws and carry comprehensive information about marijuana
for medical use (Marcoux et al., 2013).