Term Paper on "Legalization of Medical Marijuana"

Term Paper 11 pages (2800 words) Sources: 1+

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Medical Marijuana

Legalization of Medical Marijuana

The legalization of medical marijuana has been an issue of passionate debate during recent years. Opponents fear that legalizing marijuana for medical purposes will open the door for legalization across the board, and cite that synthetic versions of the drug work as well or better. Proponents hail it as a wonder drug for a number of medical complaints, and claim that synthetic marijuana does not offer the same relief as the pure form. Based on available research, there appears no true logical reason for allowing medical marijuana to remain an illegal drug.

Archeologists in Taiwan uncovered clay pots from 8000 B.C. that were decorated with strands of hemp (Earleywine 4). Societies have been smoking, eating, making clothes, and trading marijuana for thousands of years. In fact, in 2737 B.C., the Chinese Emperor Sheng Nun declared cannabis as a "superior herb"(Merrett). Roughly a thousand years later, the Scythians, a cannabis-smoking tribe, came through Europe and Asia, introducing a useful tool for harvesting the crop (Merrett). The plant is even mentioned in the Bible: in Exodus, Chapter 30, God instructs Moses to take sweet "kineboison" as one of several ingredients to make holy oil (Merrett). Roman Emperor Nero's surgeon, Dioscorides, praised cannabis for its medicinal properties, and Queen Victoria was known to use it to relieve the discomfort of her period pains (Merrett). In 1901, the Royal Commission released a report declaring it "relatively harmless and certainly not worth banning" (Merrett).

Marijuana's use as a treatment for a variety of illnesses spread from ancient Asia throughout the world, and it consistently appeared in pharmacopoeia and folk medicine as a treatment for pain, seizure, muscle spasm, poor appetite, nausea, insomnia, asthma, and depression (Earleywine 9).

From ancient times to the present, marijuana has received attention in multiple medical reports on its potential to alleviate labor pains, premenstrual symptoms, and menstrual cramps (Earleywine 9). The history of marijuana as medicine is extensive and includes many characters on many continents.

Medicinal use of marijuana began around 2737 B.C. when the mystical Chinese emperor Shen Neng introduced the pharmaceutical uses of the plant for gout, malaria, beriberi, poor memory, and rheumatism (which remains part of modern research) (Earleywine 10). By 1400 B.C., the sacred Indian text Atharvaveda listed marijuana as a holy plant that relieved stress, and in ancient Rome, Pliny the Elder mentioned the plant as a painkilling analgesic (Earleywine 11). Marijuana was being used in the fourth century A.D. during childbirth, since it apparently eased labor pains and increased uterine contractions. This obstetric use, which dates back at least 2,400 years ago, continued into the 1800's, and even today, women in parts of Asia drink marijuana tea to alleviate postpartum distress (Earleywine 11).

In the early 1900's, the Squibb Company offered a cannabis and morphine combination called Chlorodyne for stomach problems, and by the 1930's, Eli Lilly and Parke-Davis marketed medical marijuana products (Earleywine 14). However, the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937, which required a special fee for the transport of marijuana that could reach $100 per ounce, decreased its medical use (Earleywine 14).

Recent developments of medical cannabis and its derivatives concern the treatment of nausea and weight loss associated with chemotherapy and AIDS, and many sufferers have turned to the drug for relief (Earleywine 16). Lily Research Laboratories developed Nabilone, a chemical derivative of one of marijuana's active components, which has the same healing qualities as marijuana, however it has proven toxic with continued use as it apparently builds up in brain tissue, thus preventing long-term prescription (Earleywine 16). Dronabinol, a synthetic version of THC sold under the name Marinol, mimics some of marijuana's therapeutic effects, such as increasing appetite and decreasing nausea, yet many still argue for marijuana's superiority on medical and economic grounds (Earleywine 16). Patients prefer smoked marijuana to this medication because anyone who is vomiting and nauseated often find swallowing a pill difficult, and patients must digest the orally administered dronabinol, thus the effects do not appear as rapidly. Moreover, patients claim that the dosage is easier to modify with smoked marijuana, since after a few puffs and a brief waiting period, they can decide to increase the dose as they see fit, whereas pills do not lend themselves to alteration of dosage (Earleywine 16).

Furthermore, the pills are markedly more expensive, and a patient may spend from $600 to over $1,000 per month on dronabinol, while natural marijuana cost considerably less (Earleywine 16).

In 1970, the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act, which separated substances based on perceptions of their medical utility and liability for abuse, placed marijuana in Schedule I with heroin, mescaline, and LSD, thus making it unavailable for medical use (Earleywine 168). Doctors cannot prescribe it, and possession can lead to harsh penalties, including fines and imprisonment (Earleywine 16).

In contrast, the FDA approved Dronabinol for cancer patients in 1985 and for AIDS patients in 1992, and in 1999, the Drug Enforcement Agency even reclassified Dronabinol from a Schedule II drug to a Schedule III, thereby decreasing much of the paperwork and hassle required for prescribing it (Earleywine 16). Given marijuana's lower cost and potential efficacy, many have challenged its classification in Schedule I, and many physicians and organizations continue to work toward reclassification (Earleywine 16).

Concerning the costs and benefits of marijuana, many evaluators suggest that cannabis must outperform all other available drugs in order to receive approval for treatment. Supporters of this idea prefer established drugs based on the belief that they have lower potential for abuse, while critics accuse drug companies of interfering with marijuana research because of its low potential for increasing their profits, highlighting the fact that approval of other medications usually requires simple evidence of safety and efficacy, not superiority to other drugs (Earleywine 170). For example, the FDA approved fluoxetine (Prozac) based on its ability to relieve depression better than a placebo, and did not require data comparing it to other standard antidepressants. Thus, say proponents, marijuana should only be required to prove efficacy and safety to receive approval for medical use (Earleywine 170). Furthermore, to established efficacy, the price of the drug and side effects contribute to its costs and benefits.

For example, the synthetic version of THC, Dronabinol (Marinol), costs approximately $13 for a 10mg pill, and $8 per pill when purchased in bulk (Earleywine 171). The same 10 mg of THC appears in half of a typical marijuana cigarette, which would cost less than $5 if purchased in bulk on the underground market (Earleywine 172). If the National Institute on Drug Abuse provided the marijuana or if the federal government lifted legal sanctions, the price could fall markedly, thus smoked marijuana is cheaper, and provides a distinct advantage over oral THC and many other drugs (Earleywine 172).

Controlled studies show that cannabinoids can decrease pressure inside the eye for glaucoma patients, alleviate pain, reduce vomiting, enhance appetite, promote weight gain, and minimize spasiticity and involuntary movement, while other studies suggest additional therapeutic effects for asthma, insomnia, and anxiety, however only a few studies have compared cannabinoids to established treatments for these problems (Earleywine 172). Case studies and animal research suggest that marijuana may also help numerous other medical and psychological conditions, including "seizures, tumors, insomnia, menstrual cramps, premenstrual syndrome, Crohn's disease, tinnitus, schizophrenia, adult attention deficit disorder, uncontrollable violent episodes, post-traumatic stress disorder, and surprisingly, drug addiction" (Earleywine 172)

Although a few states have passed legislation approving marijuana prescriptions, possession still violates federal laws even in states that have passed medical marijuana laws, thus local authorities may not prosecute, but federal authorities often do (Earleywine 193). Legal advisors recommend that those seeking marijuana for medical purposes should follow legal channels so as to establish defense in the event the user is arrested. Treatments should begin with THC pill form through a physician's prescription, and any reactions to the drug appear in medical records (Earleywine 193). Then if the synthetic THC does not alleviate the symptoms, patients may apply to the Investigational New Drug program through their physicians. Although the program remains closed, evidence of attempts may help a later defense of medical necessity (Earleywine 193).

On June 6, 2005, the United States Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision in Gonzales vs. Raich, that it is within the constitutional powers of Congress "to prohibit the local cultivation and use of marijuana in compliance with California law" (St. John). The decision was based on Article 1, section 8 of the U.S. Constitution that states that "Congress shall have power" to "make all laws which shall be necessary and proper" to "regulate commerce...among the several states" (St. John). Author of the majority opinion, Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stephens argued that it was reasonable to expect that locally grown marijuana would leak into the national black market, thus Congress has the right to prohibit local growth and use of the narcotic (St. John). Thus, based on the Court's ruling, the federal government can prosecute anyone who possesses marijuana for… READ MORE

How to Reference "Legalization of Medical Marijuana" Term Paper in a Bibliography

Related Term Papers:

People Who Use Medical Marijuana Favor Legalization Research Paper

legalization of marijuana for medicinal use is a controversial topic in American society. Several states have enacted laws allowing the sale and consumption of marijuana for medicinal purposes, but so… read more

Research Paper 4 pages (1276 words) Sources: 4 Topic: Drugs / Alcohol / Tobacco

---

Is Medical Marijuana a Crime or a Contravention on Our Civil Liberties? Term Paper

medical marijuana a crime or a contravention on our civil liberties?

Are the Federal Laws against Medical Marijuana Constitutional?

There is not a shred of scientific evidence that smoked marijuana… read more

Term Paper 10 pages (3336 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Drugs / Alcohol / Tobacco

---

Medical Marijuana: "The Use Term Paper

Medical Marijuana: "The Use of Marijuana for Medical Purposes"

Even though, marijuana is an illegal drug it has many advantages and disadvantages for medical purposes, but because of the legal… read more

Term Paper 8 pages (2587 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Drugs / Alcohol / Tobacco

---

Medical Marijuana Is Something to Consider Bill Term Paper

Medical Marijuana Is Something to Consider

Bill Number CA 345657686

This bill will legalize the use of marijuana in its natural form for those that meet the criteria set forth.… read more

Term Paper 10 pages (2854 words) Sources: 8 Style: MLA Topic: Drugs / Alcohol / Tobacco

---

Medical Marijuana to a Great Degree Term Paper

Medical Marijuana

To a great degree, drug policy in America has long been irrational, based more on fear than evidence. Drugs are targeted when someone perceives that they are a… read more

Term Paper 5 pages (1575 words) Sources: 5 Style: MLA Topic: Drugs / Alcohol / Tobacco

---

View 100+ more related papers  >>