Marijuana is a plant that has been around for a very long time. Popularized in the 70s and legalized in the 2000s, there is still a lot to address around the drug. Though the drug was popularized in the 70’s the drug had been around for a long time. People realized that there are very outstanding medical benefits to the use of the plant. However, with it being a ‘drug’ and a controlled substance there is a lot of taboo and controversy surrounding the product. This paper will address the past, present, and possible future of the drug.
History of Marijuana
The marijuana plant is one of the oldest cultivated plants. There are many negatives and positives in history associated with the use of marijuana. The earliest records of marijuana use date to the 6th century B.C. There is evidence suggesting use from all over the world. For example, Europe, East Asia, Ireland, and Africa. In the 19th century practitioners gave medicinal properties to marijuana after it was found in Europe. This was during the colonial expansion period. It was an Irish doctor named William B. O’Shaughnessy who first introduced marijuana to Western Medicine. A French doctor named Jean-Jacques Moreau de Tours was experimenting with marijuana at the same time. Medical marijuana has clearly been around for many generations. From country to country, these stories and fables told the beneficial effects this plant had on people across the globe. To treat the same conditions now as back then. From physical pain to mental health disorders, and has even been a part of experiments. In 1851 marijuana was added to the 3rd edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the United States (USP). The Pharmacopoeia of the United States is a non-profit organization responsible for testing products. The products tested by them are medicines, food ingredients, and dietary supplements. The USP then gave details of how dried marijuana flowers can be used. As many people would concerns started to grow about marijuana this then resulted in many states outlawing it. To this day there are still states with a firm law on marijuana, but others have come around to the idea of legalizing medical marijuana. Or in other completely legalizing the flower with the same age limit as alcohol. In 1937 with the Marijuana Tax Act, the American and growing concern the Medical Association removed marijuana from the 12th edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the United States.
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Medical Marijuana is Helpful
The marijuana plant has been used for thousands of years. There are many different things inside the marijuana plant. For example, cannabinoids, terpenes, and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). What are these exactly and how do they affect you? Terpenes are common in plants the compound which gives them a fragrance. Cannabinoids are the main biological active particle in marijuana. THC is the chemical responsible for most of the psychological effects. The most commonly known are THC and Cannabinoids. The strength and speed of marijuana are based on the route the person takes to administer it inside the body. For example, the brain. The THC is then distributed to the fatty tissues of the body, which then starts to take effect. Medical marijuana has evidence to help with symptomatic treatment. For example, Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, loss of appetite, and epilepsy. Marijuana is also used to treat some forms of cancer. It is used for treating patients with glaucoma, Huntington’s Disease, and dystonia. Medical marijuana can help with other medical conditions such as cerebral palsy. For these patients, it helps with joint pain and calms the spasms of the nerves in the joints. This then allows the patients to continue with everyday tasks. Although there are some side effects of medical marijuana such as psychosis and anxiety. There is also not enough evidence to prove the efficacy of medical marijuana in helping with cancer treatments. There is evidence from many other researchers proving its helpfulness with medical disorders, mental health disorders, etc. Without the legalization of medical marijuana, these patients would then be described many different types of medication, all to treat their pain. Instead of several types of medication doctors can prescribe medical marijuana to help ease their pain.
Medical Marijuana vs. THC
According to Klumpers and Thacker (2019), the research we have shown that marijuana positively affects many of the common disorders we have today. Things as simple as nausea and pain decrease with the use of medicinal marijuana. Unfortunately, with the policies in place in many states this limits the research we can do. Medicinal marijuana is legal in 33 states here in the U.S. Although the plant is illegal scientists have created a synthetic form of marijuana. This oral supplement or liquid substance is used for most cancer patients. This drug is administered to patients who are currently taking chemo drugs. There are currently only three pharmaceutical drugs that have synthetic THC in them and are closely regulated by the F.D.A. (The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, 2017).
Medical Marijuana to Treat Children
When using marijuana to treat child illnesses, it has a better effect compared to other ‘hard’ drugs. In the article, I found there was a child who had a rare form of epilepsy. Before the family treated him with marijuana, they had tried therapy, acupuncture, and various forms of medication. The only thing that helped his epilepsy and had a comforting effect was medical marijuana. (Rollins, 2014) With the treatment of kids using Marijuana, there are many different views on the ethics of treatment. Personally, I’d say that if the patient, no matter what age, is comfortable and consents to treatment using Marijuana and it has a positive effect on the illness; keep using the marijuana. In a survey taken in 2013, out of 1,000 people interviewed 85% believed that medical marijuana should be prescribed to adults. Unfortunately, at the time this document was written, there was not enough research done to support the science behind medical marijuana used on children. I can understand the thoughts that smoking for children can be negative when it comes to inhalants. For children to be using it, it should be edible or an oil treatment. Personally, if it works, keep using it.
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