Marijuana use has been in the news over the past few decades with specific regard to the medical uses of marijuana. There has been increased attention and research into the medical properties and benefits of marijuana, which is a new endeavor or perspective from mainstream America, as it has been historically viewed and publicized as a narcotic that makes users vulnerable to the use of much harder and more dangerous drugs.
¶ … Medical Marijuana Use
Drugs & Alcohol
Marijuana is a plant or herb that grows on various parts of Earth. Other names for marijuana are hemp and cannabis, which refers to its biological name in Latin, cannibus sativa. Cannibus simply is the Latin word for marijuana, and sativa is the supine form a Latin verb meaning "sown" and "useful." The issue of marijuana use has been prominent in American culture since at least the 1930s, with propaganda films against the use of marijuana like Reefer Madness. Marijuana use has been in the news over the past few decades with specific regard to the medical uses of marijuana. There has been increased attention and research into the medical properties and benefits of marijuana, which is a new endeavor or perspective from mainstream America, as it has been historically viewed and publicized as a narcotic that makes users vulnerable to the use of much harder and more dangerous drugs. Cocaine is a drug that comes from a plant and so is heroin. They, like other drugs, are directly derived from plants and have the potential for medicinal purposes and for narcotic abuse. Where marijuana differs is that it does not need any special process like cocaine, crack cocaine, or heroin to "become" a drug or be transformed into medicine. People simply harvest the plant, distribute, and sell it. The paper explores the uses and perceptions of marijuana providing insight as to why this plant draws so much attention.
Numerous cultures around the world have used hemp for medicinal and recreational purposes for many generations. Over the past few decades, in the United States, there has been an increase in the number of research studies conducted so as to ascertain the medical properties of marijuana, if any. For some years, the findings of American studies were inconclusive and the results were often contested. Attitudes in America have shifted somewhat, but the mainstream attitude is still to keep marijuana illegal as well as to discredit any medicinal properties found or experienced. Nonetheless, there are some states that have legalized marijuana for medical use. It has become more common knowledge for those familiar with the issue that medical marijuana is often used for various kinds of cancer patients who suffer severe effects from chemotherapy and pain from the cancer itself, as well as for AIDS patients to help counteract nausea and severe weight loss because of their treatments and the disease. Marijuana use for medical purposes has expanded exponentially into other areas:
Marijuana may also alleviate symptoms associated with certain neurologic disorders. For instance, marijuana has been used to treat muscle spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and spinal cord injuries. In patients with MS, marijuana is primarily used to treat lower urinary tract symptoms, including urge incontinence.16 Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis reportedly use marijuana for analgesia, muscle relaxation, bronchodilation, saliva reduction, appetite stimulation, and sleep induction. Marijuana is also used in the treatment of various movement disorders including dystonia, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and tics associated with Tourette's syndrome. Marijuana is also used to prevent seizures in patients with epilepsy and is believed to have neuroprotective properties. (Seamon et al., Medical marijuana, 2007)
In people who use marijuana for medical reasons, there are many affects. The marijuana seems to change the effect on the patient depending on the need of the patient. Two patients may be prescribed the same strain marijuana for different reasons/ailments, and perceive different (positive) effects as well. There are additionally a number of medical conditions for which marijuana use would be detrimental to the patient; thus it must be prescribed and treated like any other pharmaceutical. (Seamon et al., 2007)
Just as with most substances, there is a potential for harm and abuse. Marijuana is a substance that has the potential for medical assistance as well as the potential to wreak havoc on people's lives.
Heavy marijuana use can result in psychological dysfunction, affecting a person's ability to form memories, recall events, and focus. Acute toxic psychosis induced by marijuana may be characterized by hallucinations, delusions, depersonalization (a loss of the sense of personal identity or self-recognition), fear of dying, paranoia, anxiety, changes in mood (e.g., depression), and altered mental astuteness. Marijuana has been reported to cause dose-related impairments in cognitive and behavioral functions and may impair the ability to drive a motor vehicle or operate heavy machinery…In 1999, more than 200,000 Americans entered substance-abuse treatment due to marijuana use. It has been estimated that 10% of marijuana users are at risk of dependence.(Seamon et al., Medical marijuana, 2007)
You’re 85% through this paper. Sign up to read the full paper.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.