The Importance of Medical Marijuana
Individual Project # 3
Erricka Mayfield
Colorado Technical University
ENGL126-1204A-03: Sound Writing
October 29th, 2012
Professor: David Mulvihill
Introduction: The use of medical marijuana has been a controversial issue since it has been suggested as a method for use as medication. Despite its dissention, it comes by patient recommendation and Doctors prescribe it to their patients based on its medical benefits. Marijuana has been classified as a Controlled Substance and there have been statements that it is a “gateway drug,” in spite of the accusations against it, patients who use medical marijuana opinions differ greatly. Although documented studies exist weighing the benefits or non-benefits of medical marijuana, it is heartfelt that it should be legalized on the basis that it helps those who are critically ill to cope with various side effects of the diseases like AIDS, Cancer, and Multiple Sclerosis by alleviating pain, vomiting, and nausea. While many patients are afflicted with side effects from the medications that are used to treat their diseases, the United States Government approved marijuana in pill form called “marinol” which is available as a prescription and has been proven to not be as effective due to the synthetic ingredient known as delta-9-THC. Whereas, marijuana derived directly from the plant has the original ingredient of delta-9-THC which works with the body’s natural endorphins by working in direct correlation of the body’s opioids receptor system and creating benefits to the patients who use it be restoring ailing patients to some quality of life, while battling these life altering diseases.
Body:
In 1997, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy asked the Institute of Medicine to “review the scientific evidence on the potential health benefits and risks of marijuana” as a gateway drug. To the White House’s surprise and to the benefits of those who desperately need medical marijuana, the
Erricka Mayfield
Colorado Technical University
ENGL126-1204A-03: Sound Writing
October 29th, 2012
Professor: David Mulvihill
Introduction: The use of medical marijuana has been a controversial issue since it has been suggested as a method for use as medication. Despite its dissention, it comes by patient recommendation and Doctors prescribe it to their patients based on its medical benefits. Marijuana has been classified as a Controlled Substance and there have been statements that it is a “gateway drug,” in spite of the accusations against it, patients who use medical marijuana opinions differ greatly. Although documented studies exist weighing the benefits or non-benefits of medical marijuana, it is heartfelt that it should be legalized on the basis that it helps those who are critically ill to cope with various side effects of the diseases like AIDS, Cancer, and Multiple Sclerosis by alleviating pain, vomiting, and nausea. While many patients are afflicted with side effects from the medications that are used to treat their diseases, the United States Government approved marijuana in pill form called “marinol” which is available as a prescription and has been proven to not be as effective due to the synthetic ingredient known as delta-9-THC. Whereas, marijuana derived directly from the plant has the original ingredient of delta-9-THC which works with the body’s natural endorphins by working in direct correlation of the body’s opioids receptor system and creating benefits to the patients who use it be restoring ailing patients to some quality of life, while battling these life altering diseases.
Body:
In 1997, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy asked the Institute of Medicine to “review the scientific evidence on the potential health benefits and risks of marijuana” as a gateway drug. To the White House’s surprise and to the benefits of those who desperately need medical marijuana, the
References: http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID Retrieved from www.procons.org Gerber, Rudolph J. "Beneficial Effects of Marijuana as a Medical Prescription." Legalizing Marijuana: Drug Policy Reform and Prohibition Politics. Westport, CT: Praeger, 2004. Rpt. in Marijuana. Ed. Joseph Tardiff. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2008. Contemporary Issues Companion. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 29 Oct. 2012. Retrieved from http://ic.galegroup.com.proxy.cecybrary.com/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/Viewpoints Grinspoon, Lester. "Medical Marijuana Is an Effective Medicine." Medicine. Ed. Louise Gerdes. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2008. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Marijuana