Due to the worldwide use of marijuana for spiritual and therapeutic purposes, the disputes over medical marijuana seem to be misconceived and peculiar. Throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, marijuana, also known as cannabis, played an important role in medicine and treatment. However, the federal government is still doubtful about the mind-altering substances that had a negative effect on the psychological state of individuals. In 1970, the substance was prohibited by the government and was recognized as illegal, having no redeeming qualities (Bostwick, 2012). Later, marijuana has become the most rigidly abused substance among American citizens. However, the restriction imposed on the use of cannabis is predetermined mostly by a deficiency in research on the therapeutic use of the substance. It is acknowledged that marijuana contributes to treating significant weight loss among AIDS patients, as well as severe vomiting and nausea caused by chemotherapy among cancer patients. In this respect, scientific, legal, and ethical concerns should be considered to support the use of marihuana.
The suspiciousness of the federal government toward is explained by the discrepancies in definitions and types of marijuana that is are dispread in the United States. In this respect, Bostwick (2012) underlines that “medical marijuana will be synonymous with botanical cannabis” (p. 173). Thus, this kind of marijuana had long been used in ancient times to treat many ills. Today, the substance also belongs mostly to untraditional medicine, as well as to the decision of last resort for terminally ill patients. According to Bostwick (2012), the controversy that arises around marijuana relates to blurred boundaries between recreational and medical purposes of the substance. Despite that, the researcher has introduced sufficient evidence testifying to the positive effect of botanical cannabis on the physical state of patients (Bostwick, 2012). In particular, medical professionals have considered the advantage of breathing in cannabidiol, a marijuana component, which purports to act together with THC to reduce the negative effects and increase the health benefits. Finally, the research has proved that negative effects of medical marijuana can occur in cases of chronic use. Consequently, using the substance for medical purposes only can minimize the chances of dependence.
Previously known threats of using marijuana should be withdrawn as soon as sufficient research is done on the appropriate dozing, treatment approaches, as well as additional capabilities of the substance. To prove the issue, Lamarine (2012) has introduced evidence revealing the benefits of using marijuana to treat “pain, nausea, anorexia, muscle spasticity, sleep” as well as “to decrease the levels of opiates prescribed for pain” (p. 2). The report also focuses on the positive effects of cannabis on treating various types of pain, depression, and other mental and physical disorders. The only obstacle to using medical marijuana can a be lack of awareness, or even ignorance, of the differences between recreational and therapeutic purposes.
With regard to the above-presented arguments and evidence, negative attitude to the erapeutic use of marijuana is predetermined by lack of evidence and insufficient research dedicated to the analysis of beneficial qualities of the substance contributing to the treatment of patient. However, it is strongly suggested that marijuana can be the only solution for terminally ill and AIDS patients to cope with pain, nausea, anorexia, and relates outcomes of treatments. Therefore, the government should reconsider their legislature to introduce new principles of using medical marijuana.
References
Bostwick, J. (2012). Blurred boundaries: the therapeutics and politics of medical marijuana. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Mayo Clinic, 87(2), 172-186.
Lamarine, R. (2012). Marijuana: modern medichimeraaera. Journal of Drug Education, 42(1), 1-11.