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Rise in Medical Marijuana

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Rise in Medical Marijuana
Legalization of Medical Marijuana
Tiffany Strangio-Knopp
ENG103 Dana LaMantia
January 30, 2013
Colorado Technical University

Abstract
Over time the use of medical marijuana has grown significantly. Research shows that the opposed opinions of well noted people and agencies have fought to both keep marijuana illegal as well as make it legal. Both sides stake claim to the use medically. This battle has been escalating greatly over the last 20 years. Marijuana has many uses, as well as risk. Further investigation is always needed when science and law are involved.

Legalization of Medical Marijuana The legalization of medical marijuana has been a continued hot topic in the United States for the last two decades. Marijuana is not a new drug. The use of marijuana dates back as far as 2700BC in ancient Chinese culture. History shows us that marijuana has been used in many cultures for common ailments like nausea, vomiting, nerve pain, menstrual cramps and glaucoma, even for the use of multiple sclerosis pain in modern time. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has done extensive research and continues to do so in order to validate marijuana as a safe and viable medical option in our current western civilization. Many scientists have found both positive and negative effects of marijuana. Smoked marijuana can contribute to some risk factors like bronchitis or a weakened immune system as well as an altered state of mind. Marijuana used to treat cancer patients with severe effects from chemotherapy has proven extremely effective. Medical marijuana has also been proven safer than most pain medications that are FDA approved. The FDA and Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) have continued to fight the use of medical marijuana even though it has become more commonly used across the nation. Medical marijuana is federally illegal but more and more states continue to change state law opposite of federal law. Medical marijuana has seen an increase in use


References: ProCon.org. (2011, July 25). Should marijuana be a medical option? Retrieved from http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=001325 ProCon.org Hall W, Degenhardt L, Lynskey M. The health and psychological consequences of cannabis use. Canberra (AU): Australian Publishing Service, 2001
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