The Pros of Medical Marijuana

The human body naturally makes its own form of cannabinoids that can modulate pain. THC-An abbreviation for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol,
THC is the main component responsible for marijuana's mind-altering effect. It also may help treat signs and symptoms such as nausea and vomiting that are associated with a number of medical conditions.
Cannabinol and cannabidiol-These compounds have some of the properties of THC, but cause less psychoactive effects — the high. Dronabinol
(Marinol). Dronabinol (dro-NAB-in-ol)-is a man-made version of THC available by prescription. It's used to prevent nausea and vomiting after cancer chemotherapy when other medicines for these side effects don't work, and to increase appetite in people with AIDS.

It has been shown ot be an effective treatment in reducing nausea for people under going chemtheraphy treatment. There is also evidence that it reduces nausea and weight loss in AIDS patients.

Glaucoma is a disease that leads to blindness. It increases the pressure in the eyeball, which can then lead to vision loss. It was discovered by scientists in the early 1970s, that by smoking marijuana it was able to reduce the pressure in the eyes caused by glaucoma.
Scientists were not able to understand how it worked. Scientists have since discovered that CB1 receptors in the eyes, may provide the clues for future research on how marijuana affects glaucoma.

In the 1800's people were known to smoke marijuana for pain relief. In studies it has been shown to be effective in relieving pain as codeine as a mild pain reliever. In further testing it has been found to enhance the effects of opiate pain medications.

In people with multiple sclerosis it has shown promise in helping with the tremors, muscle spasms and the pain that is associated with the disease. It is a disease that affects the nervous system by causing muscle pain.

There is more research underway to determine if it may protect the nerves from damage that occurs due to the disease. 1 http://www.riversideonline.com/health_reference/articles/ga00014.cfm The family of 5 year old Charlotte Figi, who suffers from Dravet
Syndrome has chosen to treat her with marijuana. Dravet Syndrome causes seizures and severe developmental delay. The parents said that prior to treatment she was having 300 seizures a week, and now has one every seven days. If a medicine is capable of showing this much promise how are we being denied an improvement to our quality of life?

Cons

It is believed to cause atrial fibrillation. Studys have shown that it can cause palpitations, dizziness and or fainting in people who have smoked it. Which in turn could increase the chances of having a heart attack. 2 http://www.thesurvivaldoctor.com/2013/02/14/medical-marijuana-pros-and-cons-doctors-debate-opinions/

There is evidence that smoking marijuana it can damage the lung tissue. But this is a problem with anything that is smoked. It also contains cancer-causing compounds.

As with many other medications that are regularly prescribed, it can become addictive.

Scientists have found that it can cause a weakened immune system.

Side Effects

Our short term memory can be seriously affected. It is shown to effect our cognitive ability as well as slow our reflexes. In some cases there is a chance of paranoia, mood swings, fatigue and increased appetitie while we are under its effect. In some instances it has shown to cause anxitey disorders or panic attacks. Due to a delay in our reflexes it has shown to have an increase in accidents. Whether they be at work or in a vehicle.

Other long term effects have shown to block blood vessels, memory loss and in some cases confusion and a delay in our cognitive ablitlies.
3 http://www.cannabissearch.com/articles/pros-vs-cons-of-marijuana/

Advantages to legalizing

By legalizing what is considered an illegal drug, the government could instead make money off of it. Instead of it costing us millions of dollars by fighting against it. Think of the money we spend on criminals in jail or prison for dealing in it. The court cost associated with their trials, and housing them for however long. This would also decrease fatalities on both sides.

Brian Coates

Brian Coates who lives in Denver, Colorado, is a 34 year old quadriplegic who was fired from his job at Dish Network for using medical marijuana. He fought it all the way to the State Supreme Court in Colorado arguing that companies should not be allowed to fire marijuana patients. He was fired for failing a drug test after testing positive for having THC in his system. Dish argued that the firing was not due to his ever being under the influence at work, just that he tested positive. They have a zero-tolerance policy. Coates contended that he took the medication after work hours. So the argument became what constitutes "lawful" use of marijuana outside of work, and whether marijuana is an illegal drug.

Brian spinal cord was broken in a vehicle accident when he was 16 years old. It caused him to be paralyzed in over 80 percent of his body. This has caused him to suffer from severe involuntary muscle spasms and seizures since the accident. He states that by smoking marijuana it has helped improve the quality of his life as it has helped with the pain. 4 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/30/brandon-coats-marijuana_n_5901824.html Joseph Casias

Joseph Casias who lives in Michigan, sued Wal-Mart after firing him for failing a drug test. Mr. Casias suffers from an inoperable brain tumor and cancer lost a lawsuit for wrongful firing. He lost his case in federal appeals court, unfortunately. It seems that the law does not protect the employees from drug testing/firing even though the state has legalized the treatment in the state, the workplace has yet to be addressed.

PTSD lawsuit

New Mexico has made it extremely difficult for patients suffering from
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) the use of medical marijuana.
The lawsuit was on the patients behalf by Dr. Carola Kieve, a
Neuropsychiatry Specialist. She has filed it against another physician, Dr. Steven Rosenberg, though he is not specifically named in her suit, he is accused of restricting the medication until their doctor furnished proper documentation that no other drugs were satisfactory in treating their condition.

Conclusion

Some States seem to be thinking that Marijuana should not be used for medicinal purposes. I believe that is due to them looking at it as a drug, and not as having any beneficial use. I disagree, as testing has shown that it has medical benefits for those with certain medical conditions. When do we draw the line that the Government knows what is better for us than our Physicians who have gone to school for years to study these conditions? The research that goes into these medications is immense before they are released to the public.

The conditions that it helps are extremely painful, as I have known people who suffer from them. If this medication has less side effects, and is more beneficial, why not allow them to take what is recommended by a knowledgeable Physician? These courts do not have enough knowledge to make an informed decision for us. Nor do I want them to.