Blog #9

Blog #9

Discuss whether or not you believe the use of medical marijuana is justified or should be legalized.

 

Is marijuana a harmful drug or a beneficial medicine? Put all the arguments together and you might answer, “a little of both.” Marijuana can be addictive and have short-term side effects like memory loss and trouble thinking. It may have harmful long-term effects, like lung cancer, a weakened immune system, and increased heart-attack risk in the hour after smoking it. Marijuana also may have good health effects, like treating glaucoma, nausea, appetite loss and seizures. Proponents say it’s helpful for people experiencing side effects from AIDS and cancer medications and may help treat multiple sclerosis and epilepsy.  Medical marijuana is illegal at the federal level. But it’s legal in certain states. Those states won’t come after providers, but the federal government can. Confused? Don’t blame ya. In its policy statement, the American Medical Association recommends that for now, marijuana remain classified as a Schedule I Controlled Substance. The government deems drugs in this category to have a high abuse potential, no accepted medical use and a lack of acceptable safety. Then again, the AMA sees enough promise to recommend more studies on the drug and urges the National Institutes of Health “to implement administrative procedures to facilitate grant applications and the conduct of well-designed clinical research into the medical utility of marijuana.”  Marijuana is a lousy drug but can be a great medication. The same applies to most medications. Drugs can be used for medicinal purposes and/or abused in order to alter mood and run away from life. There is no question that marijuana should be considered a dangerous drug. It is carcinogenic, mood altering, motivation destroying and life wrecking. In the alternative, the same may be said for such dangerous medications as Valium, opiates, diet pills and even Tylenol. When any medication is misused it becomes a clear and present danger.