The Benefits of Medical Marijuana Essays -- Argumentative Essays

According to a report put out by the British Police Foundation in March 2000, cannabis has been shown to produce less harmful effects than its other legal counterparts such as alcohol and tobacco. This kind of information calls into sharper focus the question on the minds of many as to why such a plant that is not only less harmful than legal drugs but has significant health benefits has remained illegal. People all over the world, continue to be tendered prescription medication, which in many cases further complicate health issues with its myriad of side effects. In fact, statistics have shown that approximately 100,000 people around the world die as a result of prescription drugs annually (Smith, 2012). On the contrary, according to Smith (2012) there has, in 10,000 years only 1 death that has been blamed on cannabis use. It is no wonder why cannabis or marijuana continues to play such an integral role in the medical field, despite it being marginalized and frowned upon by many societies. Clark (2000) describes marijuana as an alternative medicine that is moving away from the conventional prescribed medications and is seen as a treatment for pain, nausea and vomiting incurred from chemotherapy and rapid weight loss associated with HIV/AIDS, which he says adds to the accolades levied at the feet of medical marijuana as it not only serves as treatment for several illnesses but it also helps with the many side effects associated with various ailments. Though, scientific evidence is limited in supporting the value of medical marijuana, several clinical studies have been carried out which supports its effectiveness in treating numerous conditions and aiding in quelling the side effects associated with several others. Throu... ...www.jabfm.org/content/24/4/452.lon McPartland, JM, and PL Pruitt. "Medical marijuana and its use by the immunocompromised." Diss. 1997. Abstract. Altern Ther Health Med. (n.d.): n. pag. Web. 11 Nov. 2013. . ‘Medical’ Marijuana: 10 Health Benefits That Legitimize Legalization. (n.d.).International Business Times. Retrieved November 12, 2013, from http://www.ibtimes.com/%E2%80%98medical%E2%80%99-marijuana-10-health-benefits-legitimize-legalization-742456 Seamon, M., Fass, J., Maniscalco-Feichtl, M., & Abu-Shraie, N. (2007). Medical marijuana and the developing role of the pharmacist . Am J Health-Syst Pharm, 64. Retrieved November 11, 2013, from http://axon.psyc.memphis.edu/~charlesblaha/770 The Daily Smoker. (n.d.). Cannabis Quotes. Retrieved November 12, 2013, from http://www.dailysmoker.com/various/cannabis-quotes