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by matteo_dudek

Medical Marijuana: A summary and an opinion

The cannabis plant has a long history of being used as a medicine in many cultures and there has been many positive studies involving the use of cannabis as a medicine. It has helped the life’s of sick people but still many countries reject the idea cannabis has any medical value

What Is Medical Marijuana?:
Medical Marijuana refers to the use of cannabis/marijuana as a herbal therapy and also the use of synthetic THC and cannabinoids.

A Brief History:
The first use of cannabis as a medicine is hard to pinpoint but in China its believed its been used as a medicine for around 4000 years, Egyptian texts like Ebers Papyrus and the Ramesseum III Papyrus, both from over 1000 years BC describe medical marijuana. Other cultures also have references to medical marijuana from texts thousands of years old. In modern medicine cannabis was used more in western civilization from the 19th century onwards following experiments and promotion from Irish doctor William Brooke O’Shaughnessy. The creation of aspirin is considered by some to be responsible for the decline of the use of cannabis as a medicine, along with the anti-cannabis campaign in the early part of 20th century, with movies like Reefer Madness cannabis went from medicine to a drug that makes you insane. In more recent times only a few countries recognize cannabis as a medicine and there is some pharmaceutical companies looking into the many compounds within the plant for medicinal purposes.

Where?:
Lots of countries class cannabis as having no medicinal value so Medical Marijuana is only available in either herbal or synthetic form in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, Israel, Spain, the Netherlands, the UK and in 13 states of the US. The laws are different in all countries with medical marijuana and gaining access maybe difficult. You will need a doctor’s recommendation so your doctor is the best person to speak to if you live somewhere where medical cannabis might be available for you. The situation in the US is complicated with the 13 states having passed state laws, but medical marijuana is not recognized by federal law. This means patients who use and grow medical marijuana legally under state law still have to live in fear of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) raiding and possibly arresting them. As I spoke about before, there is hope that thing will change under the new president but only time will tell

Uses:
Cannabis has been used as a medicine for years for pain relief and is considered especially good for relieving neuropathic pain (pain from nerve damage). Cannabis also helps with nausea, spasticity, glaucoma, and movement disorders, cannabis is also a powerful appetite stimulant and is specifically good for patients suffering from HIV and other illnesses that reduce your appetite. Some newer research finds cannabis properties may protect the body against some types of malignant tumors and are neuroprotective. There is many more uses for cannabis medically and no doubt further research will show more benefits of the plant.

Future:
It should be easy to say that the future of cannabis being used as a medicine is bright but with most countries worldwide rejecting the idea that cannabis has any medical value it makes progress much harder. I hope soon more countries and all the states of the USA will have access to medical cannabis. Awareness needs to be spread about the medical value of cannabis as there is more people who could benefit from the plant.The use of cannabis as a medicine is nothing new and the fact that some pharmaceutical companies are looking closely at the plant and some of its compounds does not surprise me. Since they cannot patent a plant those looking into making money from the plant will look at making a synthetic version that they can make millions of. It would be easier and better for the patients simply to grow their own medicine but of then how would the pharmaceutical companies make money then?

People might argue that smoking your medicine is not a healthy way of taking medicine, but with the vaporizers available on the market for healthy inhalation and the fact you can make edible or drinkable goodies form cannabis or a hemp oil then cannabis does not need to be smoked.

The difference among recreational use and medical use of cannabis needs to be recognized by more people. While I believe that a responsible adult should have the right to use cannabis recreationally, I do think that there should be no doubt about allowing a sick person use a plant with a long history of medical value should be accepted and legal. What might be considered just the munchies by a recreational user is for some medical users the difference between having an appetite or not.

Cannabis has a great potential as a medicine and more awareness, and acceptance is needed. Read up and spread the word

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by zen

Medical Marijuana – But What About the Children

A common debate that hopefully will come to an end in the next few years is the medical marijuana topic. While there are more pros than cons when this debate ever comes up, there are still plenty of corporations both in the medical and industrial sectors that would love to see medical marijuana made 100% illegal.

There is one ad that most have seen and really speaks to parents of teens. These anti marijuana advertisements describe marijuana including medicallly prescribed to be a danger to teens. They have played anything from a teen setting his house on fire while under the influence to a couple teens hitting a child on a bike due to the effects of marijuana.

One thing that seems to escape the entire anti marijuana both medically or otherwise are the deaths actually caused by marijuana use. The main reason these statistics of deaths are not included is because there has never been a single death caused by this plant ever. Many can agree that children, teens and those with addictive personalities might take from this plant bad things BUT to classify it with man made and chemically containing drugs is only done to keep the general public from knowing the true medicinal properties of this great plant.

In california there have been bills, hearings and everything under the sun fighting for medical patients and consenting adults from using this plant but is a thoudand times less harmful than the completely legal drugs known as alcohol and tobacco. These two perfectly legal drugs which can be bought on any street corner or liquor store have and do kill people including children on a daily basis but they still remain 100% legal.

Why would allow 2 proven and daily killers remain legal but throw the book at adults for smoking something that has never caused on single death worldwide as well as lock adults up for years at a time due to possession or personal use. Parents need to wake up and see passed the catchy anti pot ads and actually do some research.

Why would medical or industrial companies want to keep marijuana illegal? This plant has been proven to be more effective in both fields versus their man made or chemical counterparts and the main reason is this plant doesn’t need a manufacturing plant or company head to continue producing. Hemp can be used in place of many industrial items including rope, fuel, clothing to name a few. Medically this plant has had plenty of proven cases medically of its effects on the body and how it can not only help slow but also stop cancer growth.

Why would the medical establishments not want a plant that can help their patients? Why do you think they spent million to try and reproduce a chemical versus on this amazing plant? Maybe, just maybe it has to do with the issue of this plant being able to be produced 100% free by any adult who chooses to grow their own. Without a prescription, without a business making money from something there is no point in allowing it in our economy.

One thing that big business cannot allow is an individual the ability to provide for themselves. There isn’t a profit in a cure or prevention but there is a huge profit in “living with it”. Sometimes you need to look passed the obvious reason because most times that is furthest from the truth. If you live in a city or state without a medical marijuana law protecting you then it is up to you to make it happen. You can do this by contacting NORML for help.

For a real awakening why not watch the video they pushed to get marijuana banned. The video is called reefer madness and can be found on google video for those wanting to watch it. It is a great old black and white showing that with just one puff a normal teen turns into a killer, a criminal among other things. The propaghanda our country puts out really does put shutters on many and possibly including yourself. Whether you are for or against a specific right, don’t you think it should be up to an adult as to what they put in his or her body or should that be left up to the government to let us know what is allowed or not.

by matteo_dudek

Medical Marijuana: A Drug That Can Be A Life Savior If Used When Required

Medical Marijuana used medically does have several well-documented beneficial effects. Among these are: the amelioration of nausea and vomiting, stimulation of hunger in chemotherapy and AIDS patients, lowered intraocular eye pressure  as well as general analgesic  effects. Less confirmed individual studies also have been conducted indicating Marijuana to be beneficial to a gamut of conditions running from multiple sclerosis to depression. Synthesized Marijuanas are also sold as prescription drugs, including Marino and Cesamet.

Marijuana efficiently brings aid in various medical conditions and symptoms like – nausea, muscle spasms, seizure disorders, glaucoma, cancer, diabetes, spasticity, appetite loss, pains like chronic pain, and various other problems including relief in Alzheimer’s disease, lung cancer, brain cancer, HIV/AIDS and alleviating dependence issues related to alcohol abuse and opiate dependence. Worldwide accepted by the medical alliance as an alternative to treat those who are anguished from various chronic ailments, medical marijuana recommendation has become the only effective treatment.

Medical Marijuana is the most widely used illegal drug in many developed countries. Medical studies have shown that the active ingredient in marijuana, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), might provide some medical benefits in some patients. Under the impression that these benefits were substantial, voters in California and Arizona approved initiatives allowing the use of “medical” marijuana by patients under certain circumstances.

To get a medicinal treatment of Marijuana, it is lawfully necessary for patients to have Medical Marijuana cards by a recommended doctor first and then only they are allowed to get the benefits of medical marijuana. These cards are recommended if you do not want to face legal hassles later. One of the important parts about being a marijuana card holder is that you are given full legal security of the medical marijuana laws. Acquiring Medical Marijuana card could be a hard-hitting task, because it requires a reference from a licensed doctor. Make sure to visit marijuana dispensary situated in your state and you can also contact Hemp and Cannabis foundation to verify the other documents required to get the allowance of Medical Marijuana.

Though, you might need to put up some extra efforts to get the Medical Marijuana card to become eligible to use the marijuana and its benefits. The doctors will recommend it if you are a needy patient and marijuana dose can help you to be healthy. Marijuana can be a harmful drug but it may provide a lot of benefits if used only when required!

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by matteo_dudek

Medical Marijuana ? Necessity Rather Than An Option

Once known as a recreational drug or gateway drug, Marijuana now is widely known for its medicinal values. Controversial however, the medicinal benefits of marijuana can not be ignored by simply blaming the drug for causing addiction or a dependency for its users. Marijuana is not only very effective in treating a number of illnesses and diseases but it also has become a drug which is extraordinarily safe — safer than most medicines prescribed every day.

Marijuana effectively provide relief in many medical conditions and symptoms like – nausea, vomiting, glaucoma, seizure disorders, cancer, diabetes, muscle spasms, spasticity, appetite loss, certain types of pain include chronic pain, and much more including relief in Alzheimer’s disease, brain cancer, lung cancer, HIV/AIDS and alleviating addiction issues related to alcohol abuse and opiate dependency. Globally accepted by the medical fraternity as an option to cure those who are suffering from certain chronic ailments, marijuana has become a necessity for those the only effective treatment available is marijuana.

However Medical Marijuana is available in market for purchase, it is essential for a patient to have a Medical Marijuana card in order to purchase a drug from a seller.Most states that have passed laws legalizing marijuana for medical use have some type of registration program and require patients and caregivers to obtain a medical marijuana card. Using cannabis without a medical marijuana card could be blamed as a legal offence in many states and counties and there are strict laws for breaking the rules.

It is legally essential for patients to have Medical Marijuana cards first so that they don’t have to face legal hassles later. One of the best parts about being a card-carrying medical marijuana patient is that you are afforded full legal protection under the states medical marijuana laws. Obtaining Medical Marijuana card could be a tough task, the one which may require a recommendation from a licensed doctor, Contact the Hemp and Cannabis Foundation, Check with the county office where you reside to see what other documentation is required besides a doctor’s recommendation, and also a visit to a marijuana dispensary located in your state.

Although it may take some time and efforts to obtain a card to use marijuana it is worth while for the only substance on Earth that is all available naturally to cure the painful nausea caused by chemotherapy, greatly retard the onset of blindness from glaucoma and relieve depression without destroying your bodies’ chemical balance – all with zero negative long-term side effects.

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by dooq

Medical Marijuana Cards for Better Quality of Life

It’s been said a lot about medical marijuana and its use in the medicine lately. Some people believe its medical value, some don’t. However, the facts are that medical marijuana was proved to treat nausea, headaches, muscle pain, and even such severe diseases, like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and cancer. In the USA today, more and more people start to apply the benefits of medical marijuana. There are already fourteen states in the USA, including California, Colorado, Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, and nine other states that have legalized marijuana for medical use. Check with your state laws to see if you can use medical marijuana.

If you fall under the state laws, which allow the use of medical cannabis, you have to know several things about the regulations about this issue. In order to legally use cannabis for treatment you have to find a doctor that will provide you with a recommendation for medical marijuana. A lot of people just don’t know how to get medical marijuana card, and this is exactly why we’re representing this article. When someone suffers, especially from such a bad thing like cancer, someone has to help them, and the help is provided at medical marijuana dispensaries all around the 14 states that have legalized cannabis for medical utilization.

The thing is that when you look for a doctor or a company that provides medical marijuana cards, you have to first ensure that they possess medical marijuana license in order to not get into any controversy with the law and maybe even consequent imprisonment or taxes. You have to be sure that the card you’ve obtained is legal and real. There are some companies that provide counterfeit recommendations and people run into bad problems because of such services. Thus, making sure that you use proper services is critically important. If you run across a service that provides on-phone recommendations, you should know that this is a fraud and you shouldn’t trust such services. Good, qualified, certified and professional doctors will make an appointment to discuss the opportunity of you using medical marijuana and make a medical examination if needed. You will also have to provide your ID card or driving license. This might take some time, but this way you will be sure that you get an appropriate medical marijuana recommendation and that you can then use medical marijuana for your treatment absolutely legally, within the states that have legalized medical cannabis.

After you’ve acquired your medical marijuana card you can go to a dispensary and get your medicine, or find a caregiver that will care for you in terms of providing and delivering you the medicine. There are some other issues related to the use and cultivation of medical marijuana, but this is a topic for another article. As for now, you know what you have to look for, and the Internet is a great helper in this task, since all of the good services (along with the false ones, unfortunately) have websites with the information about their services. Be sure to check the qualifications and medical marijuana licenses of the services you choose and good luck!

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Canada’s initiative to decriminalize marijuana is focused on terminally ill patients who benefit from the use of medical marijuana to relieve unbearable symptoms of chronic and terminal illnesses. The Marijuana Medical Access Regulations (MMAR) lists specific rules for Canadians to follow.

The (MMAR) gives the Canadian health care system a legal method to regulate individuals who use, cultivate, or store marijuana for medical purposes. The regulations are a result of an Ontario Court of Appeals ruling in 2000 that mandated the Canadian government to create new regulations within the year that focused on the medical marijuana issue. The court order included a stipulation aimed at getting the Canadian government to move on this issue. Basically the courts said that if the Canadian government had not completed the task of setting up regulations for the use of marijuana for medical purposes within the year then the Ontario courts would not prosecute as illegal the use, growth, or storage of marijuana. This clear message from the court was the first step in creating the MMAR. By 2001, the new medical marijuana regulations were in effect.

Research into the benefits of medical marijuana by modern scientists began in the 1800’s and William Brooke O’Shaughnessy of the Medical College in Calcutta is credited with the first research and introduction of the healing properties of marijuana to the Western medical community. For the remainder of the 19th Century, the plant was widely used in Western countries as a medicine for pain relief, muscle spasms, and stomach cramps. During this time it was effective in relieving many symptoms of chronic illness. Even though research continued to show the medicinal benefits of using the plant, new laws were beginning to be enacted in many countries that focused on the use of illegal drugs. Marijuana became one of the drugs encompassed by these new rules and regulations and as a result the ability to use it for medical purposes was taken away by governments that wanted to curb the use of illegal drugs by its citizens.

By eliminating the right to use marijuana legally, it became a black market product. Even though it was key to the relief of many debilitating symptoms of chronic and terminal illnesses, these laws made it illegal to use, grow, or store the plant even for personal use. Even possession of the plant was illegal. Such was the result of the criminalization of marijuana.

Now that the MMAR is in effect, the use of medical marijuana has been decriminalized. Marijuana has not been legalized however, and continues to be illegal to anyone without the proper license or authorization from the Canadian government.

The MMAR was created to regulate the growing, distribution, and use of marijuana for medical purposes. The regulations are broken down into different segments that describe the rules to follow for users, growers, storage facilities, and access to the drug through the Canadian health care system. Each segment provides direction for how a person can get get licensed, license renewals, and the amounts of medical marijuana that can be in possession at any one time. The latest statistics kept by the Canadian government (July 2008). show there are 1476 physicians authorized to prescribe the drug, while the number of Canadians authorized to possess, grow, or store it is 2812.

Medical Marijuana Users

The regulations state that an application must be made to the Canadian government, which includes personal information and identification. An authorization from a medical professional must accompany the license request, which states the types of ailments and the benefits that may be realized by the patient. The regulations also give the procedures for authorized users to follow when confronted by authorities who are inquiring about their use of the drug. All the steps involved in obtaining and maintaining a medical marijuana authorization is listed in the MMAR, and the Canadian government is bound to follow those rules until changed by new regulations or laws.

Marijuana Growers

The grower must make an application to the Canadian government with complete identification papers and plans for growing medicinal marijuana for the Canadian health care system and individual patients. Even though Canada has its own government-controlled herb growing company it is possible for private citizens to grow marijuana under the new regulations.

A plan for production and outlets for disposal must be included in the application so that the growing of the drug can be regulated and the quantity of drug can be monitored. For each license to grow medical marijuana, a limit to the amount a grower can produce is set. A license to grow medicinal marijuana does not give a grower the right to grow as much as they want. The quantity of drug produced must match the distribution points authorized by the Canadian government. All the steps in cultivation are monitored and tracked according to the new MMAR laws. The Canadian health care system is partly responsible for working with government agencies to insure that the regulations do not create a larger illegal marijuana problem by having legal growers producing too much of the drug which might find its way into the illegal markets.

The MMAR also has rules for the storage of marijuana destined for the medical community. An application must be made to the Canadian government that lists personal identification of the owner of the storage property, the property description, and the routes that the drug will take to final disposal.

While one patient may obtain the right to do all three of the regulated acts, individuals may also be able to lawfully grow or store the plant even without the right to consume it. The Canadian government took the most appropriate steps in creating rules that could be easily followed by authorized individuals pertaining to the use of medical marijuana. Now that the MMAR is in effect in Canada, other countries are looking into similar federal regulations to oversee the use of medical marijuana by their own citizens.

Marijuana is also known as pot, grass and weed but its formal name is actually cannabis. It comes from the leaves and flowers of the plant Cannabis sativa. It is considered an illegal substance in the US and many countries and possession of marijuana is a crime punishable by law. The FDA classifies marijuana as Schedule I, substances which have a very high potential for abuse and have no proven medical use. Over the years several studies claim that some substances found in marijuana have medicinal use, especially in terminal diseases such as cancer and AIDS. This started a fierce debate over the pros and cons of the use of medical marijuana. To settle this debate, the Institute of Medicine published the famous 1999 IOM report entitled Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base. The report was comprehensive but did not give a clear cut yes or no answer. The opposite camps of the medical marijuana issue often cite part of the report in their advocacy arguments. However, although the report clarified many things, it never settled the controversy once and for all.

Let’s look at the issues that support why medical marijuana should be legalized.

(1) Marijuana is a naturally occurring herb and has been used from South America to Asia as an herbal medicine for millennia. In this day and age when the all natural and organic are important health buzzwords, a naturally occurring herb like marijuana might be more appealing to and safer for consumers than synthetic drugs.

(2) Marijuana has strong therapeutic potential. Several studies, as summarized in the IOM report, have observed that cannabis can be used as analgesic, e.g. to treat pain. A few studies showed that THC, a marijuana component is effective in treating chronic pain experienced by cancer patients. However, studies on acute pain such as those experienced during surgery and trauma have inconclusive reports. A few studies, also summarized in the IOM report, have demonstrated that some marijuana components have antiemetic properties and are, therefore, effective against nausea and vomiting, which are common side effects of cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Some researchers are convinced that cannabis has some therapeutic potential against neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Specific compounds extracted from marijuana have strong therapeutic potential. Cannobidiol (CBD), a major component of marijuana, has been shown to have antipsychotic, anticancer and antioxidant properties. Other cannabinoids have been shown to prevent high intraocular pressure (IOP), a major risk factor for glaucoma. Drugs that contain active ingredients present in marijuana but have been synthetically produced in the laboratory have been approved by the US FDA. One example is Marinol, an antiemetic agent indicated for nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy. Its active ingredient is dronabinol, a synthetic delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

(3) One of the major proponents of medical marijuana is the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), a US-based organization. Many medical professional societies and organizations have expressed their support. As an example, The American College of Physicians, recommended a re-evaluation of the Schedule I classification of marijuana in their 2008 position paper. ACP also expresses its strong support for research into the therapeutic role of marijuana as well as exemption from federal criminal prosecution; civil liability; or professional sanctioning for physicians who prescribe or dispense medical marijuana in accordance with state law. Similarly, protection from criminal or civil penalties for patients who use medical marijuana as permitted under state laws.

(4) Medical marijuana is legally used in many developed countries The argument of if they can do it, why not us? is another strong point. Some countries, including Canada, Belgium, Austria, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Spain, Israel, and Finland have legalized the therapeutic use of marijuana under strict prescription control. Some states in the US are also allowing exemptions.

Now here are the arguments against medical marijuana.

(1) Lack of data on safety and efficacy. Drug regulation is based on safety first. The safety of marijuana and its components still has to first be established. Efficacy only comes second. Even if marijuana has some beneficial health effects, the benefits should outweigh the risks for it to be considered for medical use. Unless marijuana is proven to be better (safer and more effective) than drugs currently available in the market, its approval for medical use may be a long shot. According to the testimony of Robert J. Meyer of the Department of Health and Human Services having access to a drug or medical treatment, without knowing how to use it or even if it is effective, does not benefit anyone. Simply having access, without having safety, efficacy, and adequate use information does not help patients.

(2) Unknown chemical components. Medical marijuana can only be easily accessible and affordable in herbal form. Like other herbs, marijuana falls under the category of botanical products. Unpurified botanical products, however, face many problems including lot-to-lot consistency, dosage determination, potency, shelf-life, and toxicity. According to the IOM report if there is any future of marijuana as a medicine, it lies in its isolated components, the cannabinoids and their synthetic derivatives. To fully characterize the different components of marijuana would cost so much time and money that the costs of the medications that will come out of it would be too high. Currently, no pharmaceutical company seems interested in investing money to isolate more therapeutic components from marijuana beyond what is already available in the market.

(3) Potential for abuse. Marijuana or cannabis is addictive. It may not be as addictive as hard drugs such as cocaine; nevertheless it cannot be denied that there is a potential for substance abuse associated with marijuana. This has been demonstrated by a few studies as summarized in the IOM report.

(4) Lack of a safe delivery system. The most common form of delivery of marijuana is through smoking. Considering the current trends in anti-smoking legislations, this form of delivery will never be approved by health authorities. Reliable and safe delivery systems in the form of vaporizers, nebulizers, or inhalers are still at the testing stage.

(5) Symptom alleviation, not cure. Even if marijuana has therapeutic effects, it is only addressing the symptoms of certain diseases. It does not treat or cure these illnesses. Given that it is effective against these symptoms, there are already medications available which work just as well or even better, without the side effects and risk of abuse associated with marijuana.

The 1999 IOM report could not settle the debate about medical marijuana with scientific evidence available at that time. The report definitely discouraged the use of smoked marijuana but gave a nod towards marijuana use through a medical inhaler or vaporizer. In addition, the report also recommended the compassionate use of marijuana under strict medical supervision. Furthermore, it urged more funding in the research of the safety and efficacy of cannabinoids.

So what stands in the way of clarifying the questions brought up by the IOM report? The health authorities do not seem to be interested in having another review. There is limited data available and whatever is available is biased towards safety issues on the adverse effects of smoked marijuana. Data available on efficacy mainly come from studies on synthetic cannabinoids (e.g. THC). This disparity in data makes an objective risk-benefit assessment difficult.

Clinical studies on marijuana are few and difficult to conduct due to limited funding and strict regulations. Because of the complicated legalities involved, very few pharmaceutical companies are investing in cannabinoid research. In many cases, it is not clear how to define medical marijuana as advocated and opposed by many groups. Does it only refer to the use of the botanical product marijuana or does it include synthetic cannabinoid components (e.g. THC and derivatives) as well? Synthetic cannabinoids (e.g. Marinol) available in the market are extremely expensive, pushing people towards the more affordable cannabinoid in the form of marijuana. Of course, the issue is further clouded by conspiracy theories involving the pharmaceutical industry and drug regulators.

In conclusion, the future of medical marijuana and the settlement of the debate would depend on more comprehensive and comparable scientific research. An update of the IOM report anytime soon is well-needed.

The humble little cannabis sativa plant is the center of one of the hottest issues between politics, religion, and medicine in all of history. Amidst all of the controversy and regardless of where they stand on the issue, medical professionals must find themselves curious about it. Is marijuana the miracle drug it is purported to be in some circles, or is this a lot of media hype? And likewise, is marijuana the dangerous, addicting road to drug-addled debauchery that the moral crusaders would have us believe, or is that, too, a lot of hype?

The claims about the medical benefits of marijuana, if all true, would instantly make it one of the most versatile drugs in history. So far, researches have proposed that it could treat Alzheimer’s disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, diabetes mellitus, dystonia, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal disorders, gliomas, hepatitis C, hypertension, incontinence, osteoporosis, pruritis, rheumatoid arthritis, sleep apnea, and Tourette’s syndrome. The reports of new finding pour in every day. The latest claim is that cannabis extracts may shrink brain tumors and other cranial cancers by blocking the growth of the blood vessels which feed them.

Beyond medical treatment of existing ailments, marijuana is also claimed to be preventative of a whole larger spectrum of problems as well. It is supposed to prevent blindness, migraines, and depression. It is said that marijuana has both stalled the growth of and eliminated brain tumors in rats. Oh, and it fights hardened arteries and actually helps cleanse the lungs, preventing tumors. Come on, can it really be all that? What else, does it make whites whiter and colors brighter?

It could be argued that much of the news of marijuana’s health treatment uses are motivated by the desire to legalize it for recreational usage as well. After all, we are talking about a cheap, easily cultivated, low-dosage psychoactive narcotic with a mellow high, almost no side effects, and a low physical addiction rate.

Its effects can be felt merely by eating it, although smoking and, increasingly, vaporizing it are the preferred methods of recreational consumption. There have so far been no reported deaths or reports of permanent injuries sustained as a result of a marijuana overdose. There’s no sense fooling ourselves – people want to party, and those with a recreational motive might make up any fact they could get their hands on to justify their right to party.

A marijuana dosage and its associated high produce a group of psychoactive effects. The inebriated state is somewhat comparable to the effects of alcohol. Temporary impairment of memory functioning, motor skills, and cognition are all demonstrated. However, marijuana’s effects are largely dependent on the mood of the individual at the time of dosage. In short, a body at rest tends to stay at rest, and a body in motion tends to stay in motion. This variable effect is known as “set and setting”.

The illegality of usage and its demonized reputation as a gateway drug have created the flack in the opposite direction. Regarding international laws, it is legal for all uses in just under 10% of the world, decriminalized for medical use in about 50% of the world, illegal but unenforced in 10% of the world, and fully illegal in 30% of the world. Part of that is misleading, however – it is either decriminalized or legal for medical purposes in 18 states of the US as far as state laws go, but still illegal on a Federal level. Also, in parts of Europe, it is legal only in designated areas, so the whole country doesn’t really count.

Finally, “decriminalized” isn’t the same thing as “legal”, but only means that possession is punishable by a citation, confiscation, and a fine instead of by prison time.

It is probably logical to conclude that there is a substantial amount of propaganda and misinformation from both marijuana advocates and opponents due to the legal issues of marijuana, including the legal and political constraints on marijuana research, the firmly held beliefs of the public, and the religious beliefs against it. The most confounding factor in marijuana research is said to be the prevalent usage of other recreational drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, in the research subjects.

Such research complications demonstrate the need for studies on marijuana where stronger controls are used, and investigations into the symptoms of marijuana use that may also be caused by tobacco or other drugs. Much marijuana research in the United States is funded by government agencies that publish position papers which only cite research studies that report negative consequences of marijuana use. In light of this, some people question whether these agencies are making an honest effort to present an accurate, unbiased summary of the evidence, or whether they are slanting the results in favor of keeping it criminalized.

The medical field is caught in the middle of an ethical and scientific tug of war, which should be a familiar feeling to many. After the huge controversies over abortion, stem cell research, scientific findings pointing to evolution, cloning and gene therapy, cosmetic surgery, and artificial insemination, one could hardly blame medical researchers if they got disgusted and quit – or at least packed their bags and left the country for a place where they could do their job without quite so much politics getting in the way.

The medical marijuana controversy has reached a particularly poignant milestone just recently. The case is one Ms. Angel Raich, who is a long-term and terminally-ill medical cannabis patient in California. Ms. Raich is an Oakland mother of two who suffers from scoliosis, a brain tumor, chronic nausea and other ailments and complications.

On her doctor’s advice, she eats or smokes marijuana every couple of hours through the day to ease her pain and bolster her appetite as conventional drugs did not work. In spite of this, the hospice where she was staying got raided, and she faces criminal prosecution. Her doctor has protested that marijuana is the only thing keeping her alive, and the federal appeals court has now handed down the decision that she is to be prosecuted by the law – anyway!

Not only that, but this is not even the first time that medical marijuana has been denied as a treatment option, even to those terminally ill and even in states where it is legal for medical usage. This sobering state of events highlights the bind that the medical profession is in. There has seldom in history been such a case where criminal law and the Hippocratic Oath have been at such odds with each other.