MEDICAL MARIJUANA: CRITICISM2
ignores aspects such as differential composition, the psychotic effects of marijuana and
ethical dilemmas in testing (BBC News, 2019).
It has been evidenced that CBD, a key component in medical marijuana, may
stimulate selective cannabinoid receptors in the brain and suppress feelings of pain, vomiting
and nausea felt by chronically ill patients, without psychoactive side effects, especially those
with cancer (Park & Wu, 2017). However, as evidenced by Murray et al., (2016), CBD
concentrations are much lower and its potency has not yet been evidenced, as compared to
tetrahydrocannabinoid (THC) the cannabinoid with the highest potency and concentration
playing a key role in initiating psychotic symptoms in marijuana. Additionally, as researched
by Chan et al., (2017), pain reduction is just the tip of the iceberg and stimulation of
cannabinoid receptors by marijuana gives rise to a host of other symptoms like:
disorientation, psychosis, anxiety, paranoia, impaired judgment and depression.
Further, different strains of marijuana possess different concentrations of CBD, which
is why, self-administration of medical marijuana is likely to yield in a ‘hit or miss’ situation
where one individual is likely to encounter fatal impacts as compared to someone
experiencing benefits (Park & Wu, 2017). As reported in the Medical Journal of Australia
(Martin & Bonomo, 2016), not only is there a need to administer advanced technologies and
investments to carefully measure the pros and cons of each strain, understanding the benefits
of medical marijuana on chronically ill patients raises a serious ethical and scientific
challenge since it will involve testing on human lives which are already inflicted with a host
of physiological and neurological complications.
Conclusion
Medical experts and professionals alike, must remember that no cost is greater than
the cost of human life. Legalization or not, our nation strives in providing evidence-based,

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