Debating in a theme about marijuana is controversial and opinions may vary. This article will refute the article from Bill Frist, MD titled Should marijuana be a medical option? The following discussion is intended to refute Bill Frist opposition to marijuana as a medical alternative and his reasoning to caution others not to utilize marijuana.
The first argument to rebuttal is the former senator indicating that “There is no evidence that this (marijuana) is helping patients or that it really relieves pain” (Bill Frist, 01). Bill Frist validates his argument as a physician with a degree in Medicine, his participation in the Senate as Senator, and many other key positions in the government system. The level of credentials for MD Frist is of high ranking credibility. However, the article was submitted in 2009; about 4 years ago. Perhaps, at the time there was not enough collected information, or the data was omitted, or ignored. The article is also a personal opinion sent via email, which deducts reliability to the statement. Researched to rebuttal the argument in question is reported in Toke of the Town. An article by Steve Elliot from 2012, Worth Repeating: Suicide Rates Fall in Medical Marijuana States includes researched facts and statistics. Elliot’s article is based on a research conducted by Ron Marczyk, R.N., retired health education teacher. The research included the following arguments:
• “Marijuana improves the "psychological well-being" of young adult males and saves lives!
• Marijuana's major actions are that of an anti-depressant, anti-anxiety and anti-anger medication.
• Marijuana reduces alcohol consumption in this at risk population.” (Elliot, 2012)
The abstract of the research indicates the collection of “state-level data (from Centers for Disease Control) for the period 1990 through 2007” (Elliot, 2012). The research data compared states where marihuana was legal to those that were not. The results suggested “that the passage of a medical marijuana law is associated with an almost 5 percent reduction in the total suicide rate” (Elliot, 2012).
The second argument is Frist’s opinion “I would caution against this assumption due to the lack of consistent, repeatable scientific data available to prove marijuana's medical benefits” (Bill Frist, 01). Again, despite of the factual educational level and career preparation that the former senator presents to validate his opinion, the article is aged in comparison with the research utilized for rebuttal arguments. Elliot indicates how the use of marijuana reduces the use of other narcotics, painkillers, tranquilizers and psychiatric medication. An article titled, More U.S. Soldiers Killed Themselves than Died in Combat in 2010, presents an alarming statistic about are military comrades.
"For the second year in a row, more American soldiers -- both enlisted men and women and veterans -- committed suicide than were killed in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Excluding accidents and illness, 462 soldiers died in combat, while 468 committed suicide. A difference of six isn't vast by any means, but the symbolism is significant and troubling. In 2009, there were 381 suicides by military personnel, a number that also exceeded the number of combat deaths."
Then, if Marzyck’s research results concluded that legalizing medical marijuana “leads to an improvement in the psychological well-being of young adult males, an improvement that is reflected in fewer suicides (Elliot, 2012)", why has the government turned “a blind eye to the appalling number of military suicides” (Bill Frist, 01). The evidence presented by Elliot are a collection of over 10 years that, according to his reasoning, “shows that marijuana can treat anxiety, depression, PTSD, and increases subjective well-being and positive states of cognitive, emotional and existential wellness (Elliot, 2012)”.
Bill Frist, MD argument is so short that does not provide enough information to refute a third argument. However, additional supporting information that to refute his argument is provided by Walters in his article Treating PTSD with Medical Marijuana Could Curb Veteran Suicide. Walters provides a more updated piece of information about suicide statistics for military veteran where the rates are increasing with an average of 22 suicides per day (Walters, 2013). Compared to 2007, suicidal rates increased by 20 percent. If we utilized Marzyck’s research as evidence to argued suicidal rates, the results will indicate that those states that have legalized medical marihuana has experience a decrease in suicidal rates compared to those state where medical marihuana is not implemented.
The debatable arguments can go on forever, but until the Federal government or the Supreme Court approaches medical marihuana as a positive addition to the medical field, then marijuana will continue as an illegal substance that will continue enriching the black market. A key argument to consider is how many lives can be saved by utilizing medical marijuana as an alternative medical treatment. Additionally, why the government avoids legalizing medical marijuana when it can help to resolve the economical deficit of the country? Was not alcohol considered illegal? Are not tobacco products (cigarettes), the same as marijuana?

Work cited:
Bill Frist, M. (01, 30 2009). ProCon.org. Retrieved 04 01, 2013, from "Should marijuana be a medical option?": http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.source.php?sourceID=000197
Elliot, S. (2012, 03 09). TOKEOFTHETOWN. Retrieved 04 01, 2013, from Marijuana and Cannabis News: http://www.tokeofthetown.com/2012/03/worth_repeating_suicide_rates_fall_in_medical_mari.php
Walters, J. J. (Mar. 22, 2013 1:45 pm). Treating PTSD with Medical Marijuana Could Curb Veteran Suicides. Retrieved from http://reason.com/blog/2013/03/22/treating-ptsd-with-medical-marijuana