Legalizing Marijuana

Legalizing Marijuana
If Green is Life Why isn't it Legal?

Humanity throughout history has fought against diseases using drugs, with good results. Several medicinal drugs have been discovered since remote times, and have saved many lives or helped complement human nutrition. Not all drugs are medicinal, some are used however for recreational purposes. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (House of Representatives Conference Report, 1998) consider these kinds of drugs as Schedule I drugs (high potential for abuse, unsafe and with no medicinal properties). Heroin, cocaine, amphetamines and many other drugs appear in this classification. There are some kinds of drugs that are considered dangerous and have a high potential for being abused of, but have medicinal properties: marijuana is one of them. Lila Gutterman states that cannabis was used in ancient Greece and China 5000 years ago to soothe pain, and still today may be used illegally by 50,000 Americans suffering from multiple sclerosis in order to alleviate their symptoms (2000). There has been enough research done by experts on marijuana's practical application as a medicine. Marijuana has several medicinal properties that can help treat many diseases and helps soothe a big number of symptoms, so it should not remain as a totally illegal drug. A focus has to be given to it so to make possible for ill patients to acquire it without legal restraints. Marijuana has been known for centuries and played a significant role in human history, being used for religious ceremonies, rope, medicine and recreation, among other registered uses. An enormous amount of hypothesis has been developed concerning other uses, or consequences of using dope. Mythologies from many countries speak of numberless gods and deids. It is possible many of these gods were imagined or seen by shaman or oracles that were under the influences of drugs. Cannabis use was mentioned

in the fours Vedas (from India), one of the oldest religious manuscripts (Harrison, 70). Such Reginald Campbell and R Everett offer a general overview of marijuana in Substance Abuse in Workplace: “The most common form of marijuana found in the U.S. is Cannabis Sativa... There are about 421 known chemicals in the plant... but the active chemical is believed to be the tetrahydro-cannabinols (THC), oils possessing physiological activity... Some symptoms of marijuana intoxication include confusion, euphoria, hallucinations, hunger, red eyes, ego-inflation, dry mouth, excessive laughing and coma” (42-43). Marijuana intoxication is said to last two to three hours, but the ingredient delta-9-tetrahydro -cannabinol can accumulate in brain and testes tissues (Hubbard, Franco, Onaivi, 1999). Marijuana, pot or weed, among other names, has a variety of practical uses. Hemp is used to build cords and even clothing. There are a number of websites on the Internet that offer a variety of products made out of hemp. Sadly, it is to blame that such a helpful herb be considered illegal due to the bad nature and unconsciousness of humans. Marijuana's potential for abuse has been researched and tested with lots of experiments worldwide. One of the criteria used to help decide if a drug has the potential for misuse is whether animals will work to obtain it. In an article by Abi Berger, a research held by Dr Steven Goldberg and his team at the National Institutes of Health in Baltimore has studied the premise that virtually all psychoactive drugs misused by humans, including nicotine, have been shown to be self-administered by animals, but up to now a positive self-administration test has been elusive whenever THC (delta-9tetrahydro-cannabinol), the active part of marijuana, has been tested (Berger, 2000). This has led to some people concluding that THC is as addictive as other hard drugs. Martin Jarvis, professor of health psychology at University College London said that to suggest that potential for misuse of marijuana is as great as with cocaine and heroin is exaggerate. Marijuana is less likely to lead to drug misuse than other illegal substances (Berger, 2000) This issue about whether marijuana can be a highly abused drug has been debated ever since the government started the war on drugs in the late 80´s, long after the drug explosion of the 70´s, where young people were introduced to several drugs like LSD, acid, artificial, amphetamines and countless others. The post-drug explosion generation of the late 80´s didn't have much knowledge about the use of drugs. Only experienced drug users knew the dangers, of course, but there hadn't been much public information about the use and consequences of cannabis and other drugs. It remained an “underwater” issue until Bush Mr.'s declaration of a drug war. Nowadays, each person has an individual opinion on drugs based on personal experiences. Public concern about its misuse and the difficulty of commercializing a substance that is already easily available has also been factors that obstaculize its legalization (Grinspoon, 2000). What could be more difficult for a corporation than to commercialize a substance that is already everywhere at low costs? A British pharmaceutical company, GW Pharmaceuticals Ltd. of Salisbury, England, is already working on cannabis-based medicines and hopes to someday governments will regulate marijuana for medicinal purposes and modify their legislative ideology (Altman, 2000). Marijuana is considered to have a high potential for abuse due to its effects and easy acquisition. Cannabis has been satanized in past years by the media and popular culture as bringing disgrace, vice and crime into society, but society itself takes for granted the low moral values it currently has. Everything can be evil if one puts evil into it. A drug diversion investigation by the FDA has recently showed that the U.S.´s drug problem is not confined to illicitly manufactured drugs, like amphetamines, heroine or marijuana, but to the abuse and diversion of drugs, even licit ones. Statistics show , licitly manufactured substances accounted for one-quarter of drug deaths reported by medical examiners and one-quarter of drug-related emergency room admissions and in 1995 6.6 million Americans abused at least one prescription psychotherapeutic drug, namely a stimulant, sedative or other substances (U.S. FDA Drug Investigation, page 24-25, 1998). A study on Hispanic substance abuse by Raymond Sanchez, Barbara Kail and Thomas Watts (1993) suggests that ethnical background provides a tendency to certain drugs. Whites are bigger drug users than Hispanics, except for cocaine, and among Hispanics, Puerto Ricans are the most prevalent drug users, except for inhalants. The study talks about marijuana being the most common drug among households nationwide (8). Many researchers have pointed out the strong connection between crimes and consumption of marijuana: how frequently arrested felons have evidence of smoking marijuana previously of committing a crime. An overview on how drugs and crime are connected is also available on this study (see chapter 6, Sanchez et al.). The extensive research done by experts in recent years has thrown interesting results: marijuana has indeed have an extensive number of useful medicinal applications. Lester Grinspoon explains: “Cannabis was first admitted to Western pharmacopoeias one and a half centuries ago. In 1839 W. B. O'Shaughnessy at the Medical College of Calcutta observed its use in the indigenous treatment of various disorders and found that tincture of hemp was an effective analgesic, anticonvulsant, and muscle relaxant” (2000). The “Modern Renaissance” of marijuana came in the 1970´s, when cancer chemotherapy patients discovered pot was more effective than conventional medicines to provide relief for the intense nausea and vomiting caused by this agents (2000). Many researchers have had to elude government orders or requirements to research about marijuana. Kathleen Boyle, a social psychologist, bypassed the federal review process by studying AIDS patients who procured their own marijuana (Guterman, 2000). In 1999, a government commissioned panel of experts reported that the chemicals in marijuana can fight the nausea induced by chemotherapy, boost the appetites of AIDS patients, and lessen some symptoms of multiple sclerosis. These effects are approved by many sources (Brookhiser and Chitwood, 2000; Grinspoon, 2000; Iversen, 1999). The government efforts on studying the potential of marijuana has led to exhaustive investigation and the publishing of scientific-based books such as Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base, by Janet Joy, Stanley Watson and John Benson as editors, which is based on “information gathered in the United States in 1997 and 1998 at three 2-day scientific workshops, on many additional consultations with scientists and cannabis users, and on material gleaned from the scientific literature” (Pertwee, 2000). A wins specialist at the University of California at San Francisco, Dr. Donald Abrams has been studying marijuana's effects on win wasting, “the sometimes life threatening weight reduction that results from a loss of appetite in people with AIDS” (Guterman, 2000). Lester Grinspoon says thirty symptoms that can be relieved by cannabis have been discovered “and many others are to be discovered”, yet medical marijuana is “the most striking political manifestation of growing interest” that causes divisions between federal and state authorities, but thanks to its advantages: “minimal toxicity, its dosage is easily titrated, and, once freed of the prohibition tariff, it will be inexpensive” (2000). The use of medical cannabis has been researched enough to give public opinion and authorities sufficient information to end the controversy about marijuana's properties. Marijuana research has come to the point where the only thing that stands between legal and illegal is the obstination of the government caused by old conservative machines and society's disinformation on the symptoms marijuana cures. It’s necessary not only to see the background on cannabis, but also the ill condition of marijuana-needy patients. The proven potential of marijuana as a medicine has overthrown the adverse

effects campaign anti-weed activists have been claiming. The facts are there: marijuana

is a valuable tool against diseases. However, there are some true adverse effects and

conditions that do not undermine the relative value of medicinal cannabis, but are facts

that cannot be taken for granted. A source indicates that a study held by Dr. Murray A.

Mittleman and presented at the American Heart Association's annual conference on

cardiovascular disease in San Diego, has found that a middle-age person's risk of heart

attack rises nearly fivefold in the first hour after smoking marijuana (Noble, 2000). An

article about a study of marijuana says cannabis can produce anomalies in reproductive

function and fetal development, but evidence from animal studies is still not a

convincing argument that cannabis adversely affects human fertility or fetal

development (Iversen, 1999). Researchers, led by Dr. Zuo-Feng Zhang, professor of

epidemiology at the Jonsson Cancer Center at the University of California at Los

Angeles, found that marijuana was nearly as damaging as tobacco referring to respiratory

tract cancer, even though the drug was generally thought as safer (O´Neil, 1999). It can

be assumed that marijuana has certain risks and is not a fully safe substance. Some of the negative outcomes of marijuana have been exaggerated due to political interests or biased researchers. The adversities of marijuana do not overcome the positive aspects marijuana has to offer, but should not be disregarded. If marijuana is to be legalized, it will have to give certain precautions to potential consumers, and further research on positive and negative effects are a priority. But after all, most pharmaceutical drugs have adverse effects, and not because of that have they been taken out of the market or made illegal. There are a high number of personal cases involving marijuana where drug users have become advocates of weed. Many AIDS infected patients have been interviewed and given testimony of the soothing a joint or two can give to them. Some drug dealers have abused the good will of researchers and patience and grown weed for selling as recreation drug and earning millions and millions of dollars. The international weed black market is a major concern and one of the adversities, not to say one of the main arguments of the U.S. government to nullify the legalizing of marijuana. The borders with Mexico seem to be the main entrance of illegal weed from South America to the U.S.A. The government does not want to see pharmaceutical marijuana used to clean dirty earned money. Not to mistaken with drug dealers, patients that really need marijuana's pain numbing action sometimes are treated like criminals and authorities seem to forget a person's constitutional right to life. Medical marijuana activists and supporters, like Hilary Black, have organized systems to send weed to needy people, like Jim Wakeford, who claims in an article he wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for marijuana (Hunter, 2000). Voters in at least seven states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Washington) have approved initiatives intended to make marijuana legal for medical purposes (Altman, 2000). Ethan B. Russo, a neurologist at Western Montana Clinic states that federal government prefers to keep the “purity of its ideology” rather than to “allow patients to get effective medicine” (qtd. in Guterman, 2000). Some options are being developed and could be promptly adopted by the federal government. The pharmaceuticalization of marijuana as intended with British company GW Pharmaceuticals, which is working on cannabis-based medicines that are not smoked, is a valid and reasonable option for federal authorities to keep an eye on. If other countries are now legislatively avant-garde on the marijuana issue, like Canada, the Netherlands or Great Britain, and have trusted their experts about the use of medical marijuana, why is the U.S. government keen on keeping weed illegal? It is true marijuana is a drug with a potential for abuse, but each person's own set of values and willingness to smoke it does not overcome the importance of ill patients that use pot to soothe their pain. Authorities should follow the example of California's Proposition 215. The numbers are also there, a high percentage of Americans think pot should be legalized for medicinal purposes. The legalization of medicinal application of marijuana is required now. The scientific

questions have been solved. How much will it take to unblinfold the government so it can see the light? Green light, that is...

Annotated Bibliography

Campbell, Reginald L. and R. Everett Langford Substance Abuse in the Workplace. Florida: Lewis, 1995.

In this book Campbell and Everett speak about the potential harm of drug abuse in the workplace. They give practical introductory data of marijuana, like the effects, chemistry and components of dope. The facts and statistics about workplace drug use can be very interesting to accompany data on adverse effects of dope. The authors believe in the potential of abuse drugs have, one if which, marijuana, they claim has a high potential for misuse.

Gomez, Laura E. Misconceiving Mothers: Legislators, Prosecutors, and the Politics of Prenatal Drug Exposure. Philadelphia: Temple, 1997.

This is a book about the background involving the issue of babies born with problems associated to maternal use of drugs like crack or dope. It gives statistics on number of babies born with problems. Gomez also talks about the actions of legislators and authorities on prenatal drug exposure and offers a rich overview of current state and federal laws and media coverage about the case. Could be interesting to quote Gomez´s cases about mothers and their babies.

Guterman, Lila. “The Dope on Medical Marijuana.” Chronicle of Higher Education. 46(39):A21-A22. 2000 Jun 2 This full text article talks about some historical and anecdotal evidence of marijuana as a medicine, but the little research done by experts cannot offer yet a conclusion on the effects of marijuana. Research has not been extensive due to the government's neglecting to continue research or merely allowing researchers to have marijuana to study. Public resistance and political interests are also mentioned as an obstacle to research.

Harrison, Lana D. Harm Reduction: National and International Perspectives. Ed. Lana D. Harrison and James I. Inciardi. California: Sage, 2000.

This is a compilation of articles and research about the harm of drugs and national and international actions on the case. Lana Harrison has an article on medical marijuana, which talks about recent history of medical applications with marijuana, laws

200 and 215 of California that permit marijuana as a medicine, and the possible future of medicines containing marijuana. Gives a good focus to the future, talks with expertise.

Altman, Lawrence K. “Company Testing Medical Marijuana.” Abst. New York Times. p A.16. 2000 Apr 10 This is an abstract article about a company from Salisbury, England who is trying to turn marijuana from an illegal drug to a pharmaceutically controlled one by developing cannabis-based medicines that are not smoked. The abstract also gives info on some states that currently have initiatives to legalize marijuana for medical purposes.

SOURCES CITED

Altman, Lawrence K. “Company Testing Medical Marijuana.” Abst. New York Times. 10 Apr., 2000: A-16

Berger, Abi. “Marijuana Has Potential for Misuse.” British Medical Journal. 321.7267. 21 Oct., 2000: 979

Brookhiser, Richard and Michael J. Chitwood. “Smoking the Pain Away.” New York

Times Upfront. 132.18. 8 May, 2000: 33.

Campbell, Reginald L. and R. Everett Langford Substance Abuse in the Workplace.

Boca Raton: Lewis, 1995.

Grinspoon, Lester. “Whither Medical Marijuana?” Contemporary Drug Problems. 27.1 Spring 2000: 3

Guterman, Lila. “The Dope on Medical Marijuana.” Chronicle of Higher Education.

46.39. 2 June, 2000: A-22

Harrison, Lana D. Harm Reduction: National and International Perspectives. Ed. Lana

D. Harrison and James I. Inciardi. California: Sage, 2000. 69-73

Hubbard, John R., Sharone Franco and Emmanuel S. Onaivi. “Marijuana: Medical Implications.” American Family Physician. 60.9. Dec. 1999: 2583-2588

Hunter, Jennifer. “Marijuana Goes Legit.” Maclean's. 113.25. Jun. 19, 2000: 44.
Iversen, Leslie. “Marihuana and Medicine.” Addiction. 94.11. (Nov. 1999): 1749
Noble, Holcomb B. “Report Links Heart Attacks To Marijuana.” New York Times. 3 Mar., 2000: A-13
O´Neil, John. “A Downer for Aging Marijuana Users.” New York Times. . 28 Dic., 2000. p. 7
Pertwee, Roger. “Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base. Addiction. 95.2. Feb.2000: 291-292.
Sanchez, Raymond, Barbara Kail and Thomas Watts. Hispanic Substance Abuse. Temple: Mc Allen, 1996. p. 8
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Agency. “Drug Diversion Investigations by the Food and Drug Enforcement Administration.” Aug. 6, 1998. Hearing before the Committee on the Judiciary House of Representatives, 105th Congress. Mar. 23, 2001. http://commdocs.house.gov/committees/judiciary/hju62151.000 /hju62151_0.htm#25
United States House of Representatives Conference Report. Making Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 1999. October 19, 1998. . Mar. 23, 2001. http://www.marijuana.org/BudgetPot2.html