The Debate Surrounding Marijuana as Medicine: A Comprehensive Analysis

This essay examines the ongoing debate surrounding the use of marijuana as medicine. It explores the arguments of proponents, who highlight its potential in treating chronic pain, cancer, HIV, and other conditions, and the concerns of opponents, who emphasize the lack of sufficient scientific resear...Read More

Running Head: EDUCATION 1
Marijuana as Medicine
Author's Name
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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

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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).

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Marijuana supporters claim that the drug has been used for centuries as a medicinal agent
and given positive results. While one cannot deny that, it is hard to ignore the fact that is still not
sanctioned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (National Institute of Drug Abuse,
2018). The relaxing and recreational use of marijuana or cannabis has changed dramatically in
the past few decades. About 28 states in the US have legalized marijuana for medicinal use. The
recreational use of marijuana is growing at a steady rate, and more than 22 million Americans
have been reported using cannabis (Patel et al., 2017). Ever since, under the Controlled
Substance Act, marijuana is categorized as a Schedule 1 drug and with no medical use. The
FDA. necessitates careful clinical trials on hundreds and thousands of humans to conclude the
possible risks and benefits of a potential medication. Until now, there is still limited research
done in this direction.
Promoters of medicinal marijuana advocate that physicians and the public agree on the
promising use of Cannabis in battling various medical ills. Of course, one cannot deny that, but
at the same time, the term medical marijuana itself is getting vague. The term medical marijuana
could include endocannabinoids, phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids or
pharmaceutical cannabinoids and botanical cannabis (Bostwick, 2012). In modern times, the
boundary between health care and pleasure has blurred, and it has become increasingly clear that
it is not easy to discreet one from the other. While the proponents of legalization marijuana claim
that it improves quality of life as it lowers pain and stress, there is a mounting body of evidence
that shows increased psychosis and addiction among marijuana users. The federal government
upholds its stance that endorsing marijuana use for any motive is criminal as stated by Bostwick
(2012).

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FDA approval could impact the future of the medicinal marijuana and its drug
development. FDA has recently approved Epidiolex, and it can be seen as an encouragement for
marijuana-based treatments. However, the illegals status of marijuana makes it difficult for
research institutions to investigate this class of compounds (PR Newswire, 2018). With the
expansion of the usage of medicinal marijuana, a new Research Centre in Ontario is looking into
the potential of marijuana as an effective treatment for different ailments (CBC News, 2017).
Although the number of people using medicinal marijuana rising and for a growing number of
possible conditions, there is still little research done in this direction and the cut rent evidence is
quite weak. Thus, there is a pressing need for multidisciplinary study on the use of marijuana as
medicine before encouraging grounds for marijuana legislation and medicinal marijuana
products.
To conclude on the above discussion, the principal critic that goes against medical
marijuana is the lack of sufficient scientific studies done on the subject. Several states have
already approved the steps taken towards sanctioning marijuana for medicinal purposes.
However, the federal government continues to be a hurdle in the state law rights. It is evident
that the potential risks of marijuana in the medical management of illness outweigh any potential
benefit. The therapeutic window of medicinal marijuana is still narrow, and one cannot ignore
the unwanted effects of using marijuana. While marijuana supporters look at marijuana to be
similar a soft drug, however, there is evidence that its uses can lead to addiction. While there are
some palliative effects of the drug medically, the research in this direction is still limited. It is
high time that the federal government and medical community acknowledge the need for
reclassifying marijuana and its medicinal value backed by an adequate body of research. There is
still legislative and scientific chaos that surrounds medical marijuana. Unless and until there is

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ample evidence that the advantages of using marijuana for medicine outweigh its risks, the chaos
and confusions are likely to continue.

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References
Boeri, M. & Lamonica, A. K. (2017). The Social Re-Construction of Marijuana as Medicine.
Journal of Ethnographic & Qualitative Research, 11(4), 257–276.
Bostwick, J. Michael (2012). Blurred boundaries: the therapeutics and politics of medical
marijuana. Mayo Clinic proceedings, 87(2), 172-86.
CBC News. (2017). How useful is marijuana as medicine? New research Centre aims to find out,
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). Retrieved from
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/how-useful-is-marijuana-as-medicine-new-
research-centre-aims-to-find-out-1.4392515
Greydanus, D. E., Hawver, E. K., Greydanus, M. M., & Merrick, J. (2013). Marijuana: current
concepts(†). Frontiers in public health, 1, 42.
Marcoux, R. M., Larrat, E. P., & Vogenberg, F. R. (2013). Medical marijuana and related legal
aspects. P & T : a peer-reviewed journal for formulary management, 38(10), 612-9.
PR Newswire. (2018). ProfNet Experts Available on Marijuana-Based Medicine, Relationship
Debt, More. PR Newswire. Retrieved from http://lib-proxy.sunywcc.edu/login?
url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=edsgao&AN=edsgcl.544723827&site=eds-live
National Institute of Drug Abuse. (2018). What is medical marijuana?, drugabuse Retrieved
from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana-medicine
Patel, S., Williams, J. W., Jr, & Wallace, R. B. (2017). What We Do (and Don’t) Know About
the Health Effects of Cannabis and Whether Marijuana Is Medicine. Annals Of Internal
Medicine, 166(10), 747–748.

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Rehabs. (2018). The Most Addictive Drugs, Rehabs Retrieved from
https://luxury.rehabs.com/drug-addiction/most-addictive/