Seth Andrew J. Salih
December 4, 2012
ENGLCOM WC NO5B
Argumentative Essay (Final Draft)
Marijuana, Good for your Health?
A Playboy cartoon once depicted an ordinary couple with their college-age son in front. The words are shown in front: “Dear, your father and I would like some pot”. Just like the couple, millions of Americans would like to obtain the so-called “pot” or marijuana. Marijuana, unlike the popular myths today, it is not what it is thought to be.
Marijuana, like any myth, has its true properties, facts, and history concealed by a mass of misconceptions, misrepresentations, and misunderstandings. Solomon (1966) says marijuana, or Cannabis sativa, is a plant cultivated for its flowering tops and leaves. Also called hemp, it is a source of rope, fibers, birdseed, and medicinal products. In fact, the Philippines once provided the US with rope from this plant before the Japanese cut the supply line. In the year of 1937, however, marijuana was banned as the people misused it.
When people hear the word marijuana, they think of drugs, addicts, and ruined lives. However, marijuana has its buried good side. Marijuana has long been used to treat a number of sicknesses affiliated with pain. Most of these diseases are those that either make people suffer or make them terminally ill. Examples are glaucoma, arthritis, and cancer. Aside from medical benefits, the plant is also shrouded by psychological myths. Marijuana is not highly addictive, unlike what the popular belief says. Marijuana users do not come from the hardened criminal class and there is no
direct relationship between the committed crimes and marijuana use. Similarly, marijuana does not alter the basic structure of an individual’s personality (Solomon, 1966).
Marijuana can be used as a medical drug. Its medicinal benefits far outweigh the risks. Stone (2011) states that cannabis can treat diseases like glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and nausea. Even in cancer therapy, where the health of the patient is critical, marijuana is used as a therapy for the disease’s symptoms. In glaucoma, numerous studies involving the use of marijuana lowered the intraocular pressure, treating the ailment. Any administration method, except direct application to the eyes, produced positive results. Similarly, the drug can treat rheumatoid arthritis. This condition arises when a person’s immune system attacks the tissues in their own joints. Americans for Safe Access (ASA) concluded that cannabis actually relieved pain and reduced the symptoms. More importantly, ASA states that marijuana has fewer and less dangerous side effects, as compared to prescription painkillers.
Indeed, modern research suggests that marijuana could still be used for the treatment of even more treatments and a wider range of clinical innovations. These include pain relief, nausea, spasticity, movement disorders, appetite problems and perhaps even, certain kinds of malignant tumors. The medicinal characteristics of marijuana cause it to be neuroprotective or protects from pain due to nerve damage. As a matter of fact, over 60 U.S. and international health institutions and organizations support the use of medicinal marijuana under a physician’s supervision (Unknown Author, 2011).
Unlike most modes of treatment, marijuana has more mechanisms of action. To start with, cannabis can be administered in different methods. Most people think marijuana can be taken only through inhalation. This method, though quite common, is dangerous as it may cause lung and throat cancer from the smoke. Today, science has opened newer ways for people to take medical marijuana. Oral methods are applicable. Without the danger of harming our lungs, the physician may administer the cannabis orally or by mouth. This method, as stated earlier, bypasses the lungs and goes to the stomach and intestines, where it is absorbed.
Aside from eating the plant products, patients may take the plant by way of tincture. The plant is processed, making it more potent, without the previously stated risks. Additionally, the medicinal marijuana can be converted into a salve. The salve may be placed directly on the skin to soothe pain in the joints and similar areas. Finally, marijuana can be administered through intravenous methods. This highly decreases the time for the effects of marijuana to take action due to its speedy administration.
Marijuana, like most plant products, is organic and leaves no remaining residue. Marinol, a compound similar to marijuana, is traditionally prescribed, however, this chemical has a disadvantage. Marinol contains only one active chemical, unlike marijuana with numerous beneficial cannabinoids. According to Carter (2003), THC, the chemical found in Marinol, is only one of the many beneficial cannabinoids in the natural plant. These cannabinoids are the specific chemicals in the marijuana plant that performs the main effects of the plant.
Another myth surrounding the use of the plant is on dependence. Marijuana invokes an image of people getting “high” and having problems abstaining from the substance. This is untrue. Solomon (1966) clearly states that marihuana users do not come from the criminal class. Aggressiveness is not commonly seen among these users. Dependence or tolerance is characterized by prominent withdrawal symptoms. This is the true hallmark or defining characteristic of drug addiction. In the recent years, there is very little evidence to support the claim that marijuana caries a true risk of addiction.
Studies, taken by Earleywine (2005), stated existing data do not prove that marijuana use correlates with an increase in teen marijuana dependence. Solomon adds that Marijuana does not change the basic personality of the individual and if drug tolerance is acquired, it is only to a limited extent, unlike other drugs like morphine. Upon comparing marijuana with other substances like alcohol, nicotine and hard drugs like heroin, Iversen (2001), says that the latter produce the withdrawal symptoms while marijuana does not. From Solomon’s studies, he stated that marijuana smokers do not express a mental or physical deterioration attributed to the drug.
There are still many arguments in favor of the use of medical marijuana. Elders (2006) expressed that evidence of the benefits of cannabis was overwhelming, and that it should be used for medicinal purposes. The American College of Physicians (2008) presented their opinion that the law should make an exception for the use of medical marijuana. Similarly, the judge Young (1998) stated that the evidence showed that marijuana can truly cure certain diseases. Many more experts gave their own views as to why marijuana must be used to help the sick.
Like most controversial topics, the marijuana debate also has a side against its use. First, the opposition states that marijuana has dangerous side-effects when smoked. This includes cancer, and stunted growth. To counter this, the author of the essay stated earlier that there are different ways to administer marijuana. Inhalation of the fumes is not the only method. Cannabis can be taken intravenously, orally, and topically. These methods remove the risk of the abovementioned health problems.
Another statement is that although natural, the plant still contains toxic chemicals and these produce dangerous side effects. To start with, the opposition claims that THC is the chemical responsible for the harmful effects in one’s body. Marinol, which is what the opposition prescribes, also contains THC. Besides, modern science and technology could separate chemicals and compounds from a plant. Scientists could also replicate the process on marijuana, removing the toxic chemicals.
Lastly, the critics still claims that marijuana causes abstinent effects. Although a study by Berba (1981) concludes that marijuana may have short-term effects on adolescents, numerous studies contradict this and state that there is no clearly defined relationship between marijuana use and the addiction rates. In addition, Morral (2002) clearly states that marijuana use does not lead to other drugs and has few withdrawal symptoms.
To add to the list of opposing views, here are a few examples. Frist (2003) says that although marijuana truly treats numerous ailments, the public must maintain caution around this volatile substance. The National Eye Institute (NEI) supported studies, which stated that marijuana does
not lower intraocular pressure. Lastly, Director Walters (2002) said that smoked marijuana damages the brain, heart and lungs. In spite of this, the previous paragraphs could refute this last opinion.
To summarize the essay, marijuana can be taken in many different ways. These include oral, topical, through tincture, and through intravenous methods. Due to its potency and numerous beneficial chemicals, the cannabis sativa plant can treat numerous acute and chronic illnesses, such as glaucoma, arthritis, and cancer therapy. The use of marijuana does not cause an individual to get addicted, get withdrawal symptoms and possess a deteriorating personality. As a final point, the author states that the medical use of marijuana should be implemented as the benefits outweigh the risks. For the author, seeing the different evidences produced by either side, the conclusion of this long debate may still be a long way to go.
