Arguing a Position/ Medical Marijuana

Medical Marijuana Arguing a Position Jon Doe May 7, 2006 English 101 Jane Doe The cannabis plant (marijuana) has been used medicinally by a variety of cultures around the world. It was used as medicine in the United States until when a new tax fee led to its discontinued use. Congress has voted on several bills to legalize the medical use of marijuana; however none of those bills were passed. In June 2005 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that federal laws against marijuana, including its medical use, are valid. The government has authorized few research studies into the health effects of medical marijuana. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved marijuana as a medicine, citing the fact that it has not gone through rigorous clinical testing like other new drugs must. The Government is not allowing enough testing, why? Many Americans using medical marijuana claim it helped them when other medicines couldn’t, the United States Government owes it to these sick Americans to do the proper testing. The United States Government claims, marijuana has no accepted medical use and has a high potential for abuse. Many patients, physicians, medical organizations, and lawmakers opposed to medical marijuana believe that because marijuana has not been FDA-approved it is too dangerous to use. Some physician’s ague the drug is addictive, it’s a gateway drug, and it sends the wrong message to children. These are valid points and should be considered. These risks are still unclear due to the lack of testing by the American Government. However, the few tests that have been done seem to demonstrate more of an upside. Dr. Joycelyn Elders says, “The evidence is overwhelming that marijuana can relieve certain types of pain, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms caused by such illnesses as multiple sclerosis, cancer and AIDS -- or by the harsh drugs sometimes used to treat them. And it