...Medical Marijuana in California The marijuana pant is one of the oldest plants known to mankind. It has become one of the most widely used plants. The plant has many uses other than medicinal use. It was used to make cloth and paper for centuries and was the most important source of rope until the development of synthetic fibers (Grinspoon and Bakalar). There are two different species of cannabis called sativa and indica. The feeling of each has a slight difference. Sativa has a more relaxing effect on the body than indica, but both are equally useful in medicating ill people. Marijuana is easily defined: it is one of the most benign substances know to humans (Rosenthal and Kubby). California is one of the first states in America fighting for the use of medical marijuana. In recent years, the medical use had grown vastly in the state of California. Medical marijuana is used for various reasons. Many people in California are beginning to buy or receive medical marijuana prescriptions to avoid serious consequences. “In 1996, California voters passed position 215, the Compassionate Use Act, legalizing marijuana for medical use. Proposition 215 permits ill Californians to use marijuana, provided they first obtain a doctor’s recommendation. Proposition 215 also give doctors legal defense against professional or legal sanctions for recommending use of marijuana” (Berkeley.edu 1). There is so much conflict between proposition 215 and the federal law. The federal...
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... distribution, and possession of marijunana, even for purported use in the course of a recommended medical treatment. Yet, California established the first state medical marijuana program, enacted by Proposition 215 in 1996 and Senate Bill 420 in 2003, making it legal under State law, to obtain or grow, and use marijuana if recommended by a doctor. As a result, the constitutionality of pro-marijuana legislation and Congress’ power to regulate this sphere have come into question. In light of the recent increase of marijuana related legislation enacted across the country, and for the welfare of North Carolineans, this paper shall address the legal implications of passing similar medical marijuana laws in North Carolina, and why it is legal and beneficial to do so, but legally offers very limited protection for those who choose to participate in marijuana activities should federal powers decide to engage. The first section shall lay down the legal landscape of Federal and State laws regarding marijunana. Federal Law: The Controlled Substances Act (CSA)[i] establishes a statutory framework through which the federal government regulates the supply chain of controlled substances. Marijuana is listed as a Schedule I controlled substance, which is deem to have high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.[ii] Therefore the cultivation, distribution or possession of marijuana is a federal crime. The act also served as a national implementating legislation for the Single Convention...
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...| Federal Vs State Policy Comparison | | | CJA 464 | Robert Powers | | Each state has their own specific unique laws established individually for their state. In conjunction with those laws that exist over the people in their specific state there are also federal laws that govern the states as well as the people who live in them. These laws that govern the people are known as state laws and federal laws. The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land in the United States. “It creates a federal system of government in which power is shared between the federal government and the state governments. Due to federalism, both the federal government and each of the state governments have their own court systems (Comparing State & Federal Courts, 2013)”. The Constitution provides the federal government the authority it needs to handle the nations international affairs as they deal with foreign policy, this enables the federal government to create and establish the national defense needs of the nation, and it also allows them the power to handle and deal with the issues which are currency related inside the nation. The federal government is superior to state government, and, because of this federal law will override state law. The Fourteenth Amendment in the United States Constitution designates that the Bill of Rights valid in each state. According to the Constitution federal law is designated to govern items passed in legislation by the United States Congress...
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...Should medical marijuana be legalized nationwide? Team A BCOM/275 October 9, 2011 UoP Instructor Should medical marijuana be legalized nationwide? The use of marijuana for the treatment of patients with serious health conditions is currently one of the top contentious debate topics in the United States. Until its prohibition in 1937, marijuana was one the top three most prescribed medicines in the United States. To date, 13 states have statutory laws legalizing medical marijuana; however, it is not legal at the federal level. Several pros and cons exist to support whether medical marijuana should be or not be legalized nationwide. The primary arguments in debating the pros and cons of legalizing medical marijuana nationwide focus primarily on medical benefits, disease prevention, medical risk, substance abuse, and legal issues. Many scientific professionals and patients claim medical marijuana provides some sort of medical benefits. Although it has been a contentious battle between the states and federal governments to legalize or not medical marijuana nationwide, there are three important points to take under consideration; first, marijuana is a potent analgesic in patients with chronic pain. Second, it is a strong anti-emetic for patients receiving cancer chemotherapy treatment. Third and most important, medical marijuana should be legal, so patients do not have to break the law to receive treatment. Across the nation state organizations...
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...Medicalization of Marijuana The Stigma of a Miracle Drug March 25, 2014 Synopsis The following media review is based on a two part documentary which focuses on the healing qualities of medical marijuana in the treatment of Dravet’s syndrome along with a number of other illnesses. I researched the benefits of medical marijuana, specifically the medicalization of the plant and its derivatives. This includes the extraction and ingestion of cannabis oil in its pure form for the treatment of Dravet’s syndrome, a form of chronic epilepsy often found in children. This paper focuses on the history of the use of cannabis for its healing properties and provides a brief overview of the documentary which is the basis of the paper, detailing the importance of the medicalization of the cannabis plant for use in treating a number of ailments, including but not limited to the treatment of Dravet’s Syndrome and Autism in children. It was not until I watched the documentary which was recently aired on CNN entitled “Weed, Cannabis Madness” and its sequel “Weed 2” that I became interested in the healing qualities that this plant possesses and more specifically, its ability to treat children who are suffering from a condition called Dravet’s Syndrome. Dravet’s Syndrome is a form of chronic epilepsy which causes children to seize violently for upwards of 50 seizures per day. There is no cure for this disease, and for many children the drugs prescribed by their physicians such as...
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...Medical Marijuana in California The marijuana pant is one of the oldest plants known to mankind. It has become one of the most widely used plants. The plant has many uses other than medicinal use. It was used to make cloth and paper for centuries and was the most important source of rope until the development of synthetic fibers (Grinspoon and Bakalar). There are two different species of cannabis called sativa and indica. The feeling of each has a slight difference. Sativa has a more relaxing effect on the body than indica, but both are equally useful in medicating ill people. Marijuana is easily defined: it is one of the most benign substances know to humans (Rosenthal and Kubby). California is one of the first states in America fighting for the use of medical marijuana. In recent years, the medical use had grown vastly in the state of California. Medical marijuana is used for various reasons. Many people in California are beginning to buy or receive medical marijuana prescriptions to avoid serious consequences. “In 1996, California voters passed position 215, the Compassionate Use Act, legalizing marijuana for medical use. Proposition 215 permits ill Californians to use marijuana, provided they first obtain a doctor’s recommendation. Proposition 215 also give doctors legal defense against professional or legal sanctions for recommending use of marijuana” (Berkeley.edu 1). There is so much conflict between proposition 215 and the federal law. ...
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...Medical Marijuana in California The marijuana pant is one of the oldest plants known to mankind. It has become one of the most widely used plants. The plant has many uses other than medicinal use. It was used to make cloth and paper for centuries and was the most important source of rope until the development of synthetic fibers (Grinspoon and Bakalar). There are two different species of cannabis called sativa and indica. The feeling of each has a slight difference. Sativa has a more relaxing effect on the body than indica, but both are equally useful in medicating ill people. Marijuana is easily defined: it is one of the most benign substances know to humans (Rosenthal and Kubby). California is one of the first states in America fighting for the use of medical marijuana. In recent years, the medical use had grown vastly in the state of California. Medical marijuana is used for various reasons. Many people in California are beginning to buy or receive medical marijuana prescriptions to avoid serious consequences. “In 1996, California voters passed position 215, the Compassionate Use Act, legalizing marijuana for medical use. Proposition 215 permits ill Californians to use marijuana, provided they first obtain a doctor’s recommendation. Proposition 215 also give doctors legal defense against professional or legal sanctions for recommending use of marijuana” (Berkeley.edu 1). There is so much conflict between proposition 215 and the federal law...
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...Medical Marijuana If a substance can make someone who is ill feel better, why keep it from him or her? On the surface this sounds right. People who advocate making marijuana legal for medical purposes take this approach. What could it hurt? A closer look reveals that marijuana should not be legalized for medical use, because young people are given mixed signals about drugs, other drugs can be used that are easier to regulate, and there are more harmful side effects. Marijuana is one of the most abused drugs in America today. It is estimated that close to four million Americans regularly use marijuana. It is often one of the first illegal drugs that young people experiment with (Gassett2). Legalization for medical purposes would send a mixed signal to our youth. Young people are taught at a very early age about the harmful effects and the abusive potential of marijuana. If at the same time, they are told that marijuana is medically benevolent, the result could be confusion. Andrea Barthwell, former deputy Director of the office of National Drug Policy said this in 2004, “Children entering drug abuse treatment routinely report that they heard ‘pot is medicine’ and, therefore, believed to be good for them.” (19). At a time when recreational drug use is at an all time high, it would not be wise to legalize marijuana for medical purposes. The war on drugs begins with young people. If they are confused about whether or not a drug like marijuana is harmful, the battle...
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...Legalization of medical marijuana Like any other drug marijuana can affect each person differently. Some people claim cannabis can cause lung problems, addiction ,and increase chances of cardiac arrest (Negative side effects…). Although, marijuana seems dangerous it is less addictive than tobacco products or alcohol. Some people claim marijuana has a lot of medical value such as, treating symptoms of parkinson disease, alzheimers, and a stroke. Legalization will lead to numerous positive outcomes for the US. Originated in Central Asia around 500 BC marijuana, otherwise known as cannabis has been around for many years. In the early 1600s people would use marijuana to make hemp rope and invent new medicines. It was not until the 20th century that the government started criminalizing people nationwide for having anything to do with the plant(. Legalizing medical marijuana nationwide would result in...
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...Decriminalizing Marijuana When people hear the world marijuana they often associate it with other negative things such as, addiction, gangs, law violations, hallucinations, disorientation, and criminal activity. However marijuana has been used and shown to have positive effects in multiple medical conditions. Marijuana has been found to relieve symptoms of diseases of serious magnitude such as asthma, glaucoma, and muscle spasms are just a few. Marijuana has also been found to relieve a loss of appetite and nausea due to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) wasting syndrome and chemotherapy treatment (AIDS 1). Marijuana has become a major source of relief for many terminally ill patients, as well as people with mental disorders such as depression, and bipolar disorder. Why then if marijuana has multiple positive effects and uses is it illegal? One common answer is that it is a mind altering drug and can be a life treating and can affect health in long term use. This is a weak answer because while marijuana is illegal other substances such as alcohol which is well known to be a mind altering substance and tobacco which is a substance proven to cause health issues including death, are both very legal. Legalizing marijuana and decriminalizing marijuana could have multiple positive outcomes. Legalizing marijuana for medical use would not only give ill patients different treatment options for their illnesses, but the handling and issuing of medical marijuana would generate jobs...
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...MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD Medical Marijuana Cards are issued by states or countries where there is legislation supporting the responsible use of cannabis for medical purposes. This card enables patients with a qualified medical doctor’s recommendation to cultivate, possess, and obtain cannabis for medicinal use. In light of this, a patient is expected to pay some certain fee in order to obtain a medical marijuana card from the state. This card is usually valid for 12 months in most cases and may be renewed after its expiration. Due to the wide rate of cannabis acceptance in the world – especially medical practitioners’ consistent advocacy for the positive effects it offers patients, over 22 states in the United States of America now issue these cards. Some others with legalized...
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...The legalization of marijuana is an ongoing debate with the government; to legalize or not to legalize that is the question on the governments mind. The judgment on wither marijuana should be legalized is on a legal yet political standpoint. There are many reasons why marijuana should be legalized and many reasons why it should not be legalized. Amongst the ongoing policy battles on drugs and the pleas of patients suffering from painful, debilitating diseases causes the government to debate on legalizing marijuana (“Marijuana: To Legalize or Not to Legalize? ,” 2010, para.3 ). There are individuals who suffer from painful medical illnesses who depend on the drug to help sleep, eat, and cope with the illness in which they are suffering from. The government can legalize marijuana due to medical purposes; however this can be a conflict because this makes the drug more accessible to drug dealers. Legalizing marijuana becomes a legal debate because where there is drugs there is crime. The increase in crime rate will be higher if marijuana should become legalized. Legalizing marijuana may not increase drug crime; however it will increase the rate of other criminal activities. Previous drug criminals who are accustom to trafficking the drug will be forced to look for work, and as they are not experienced they may result in other criminal activities such as extortion, robbery and kidnapping Rios (2012). Legalizing marijuana can be a benefit due to medical purposes, yet because of criminal...
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...Recently marijuana has been legalized in Colorado and Washington State for recreational use. Before that sixteen states and the national capital legalized marijuana for medical use. This is perplexing, knowing marijuana has been considered a schedule I controlled substance since 1972, according to the Controlled Substance Act. As defined by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), a schedule I controlled substance is; "Drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse". The conflict of interest leads to the question, what are the benefits, if any, of legalizing medical marijuana? While researching the benefits of marijuana in a medical standpoint, one must also look into the negative effects of the drug. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), there are several long and short-term health effects associated with marijuana. The most common short-term effect, euphoria, is persistent with marijuana as well as almost every other controlled substance. Euphoria is defined as “a state of intense happiness and self-confidence. The state of euphoria is caused by the mind-altering chemical, found in marijuana, called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is introduced into the bloodstream orally or through the lungs, once the THC reaches the brain, it releases the neurotransmitter called dopamine, causing the euphoric effect. The release of dopamine is also a contributing factor of addiction in marijuana users. The NIDA states that about 9% of marijuana users...
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...Marijuana in the U.S.: A Failing Prohibition Recently two of the fifty states passed state laws allowing the recreational use of marijuana. Not only do the new marijuana laws conflict with the national law that marijuana is illegal but the new laws have put in question how states are able to pass laws that directly conflict with national laws. Although each state has the right to govern and create laws never before have any states directly disobeyed national law with the passing of state legislation. Prior to the new laws passed by Colorado and Washington 18 states and the District of Colombia had already passed laws allowing the use of medicinal marijuana. The District of Colombia and the other 18 states have acquired incredible amounts of tax dollars due to the medicinal marijuana causing many people to question whether the national government should continue with the prohibition over marijuana. Not only will the national government receive tremendous amounts of tax dollars, the government spends too much money fighting marijuana use and marijuana is also safer than other legal substances such as alcohol, tobacco, and prescription drugs. Therefore marijuana should not be illegal in the United States. Although government expenses are high, and the predicted tax benefits are tremendous many people are still very strong supporters of the prohibition of marijuana. Even with government regulated substances such as tobacco and alcohol killing large amounts of people each year the...
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...Alexa Berkman Professor Hughes SYG 2010 01Z 2 November 2015 Marijuana Abuse and the Legalization of Marijuana The debate of whether or not to legalize marijuana has been a dispute for years. Marijuana is the most abused drug in the United States especially among teens and young adults. Since 1970’s Control Substances Act, marijuana has been considered a Schedule 1 drug (Odabasi, 45). It still is a Schedule 1 drug, but now these laws are starting to be reevaluated. In recent years many states have begun to pass laws to allow marijuana use in their boarders. However, the state laws conflict with the Supreme Court’s 2005 ruling against using medical marijuana in the United States (Odabasi, 51). Cannabis, weed, pot, and Mary Jane are just a few...
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