Marijuana as Medicine

Many people believe that marijuana should be legalized for medicinal use. There are many proven benefits to patients using marijuana. Marijuana reduces the dementia for Alzheimer's patients, stimulates the appetite in cancer and AIDS patients, lowers high eye pressure caused by glaucoma, relieves muscle stiffness and spasms caused by multiple sclerosis, controls nausea in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, reduces the nausea and vomiting that AIDS and AIDS medications can cause, prevents seizures in some epileptic patients, and relieves chronic pain. According to doctor Kate Scannell, "The federal obsession that keeps marijuana out of the hands of sick and dying people is appalling and irrational. Washington bureaucrats- far removed from the troubled bedsides of sick and dying patients- are ignoring what patients and doctors and health care workers are telling them about real world suffering" (Nakaya 17). Medical marijuana would help eliminate some of that suffering if legalized. Twelve states have legalized medical marijuana use: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

I think marijuana should be legalized for medicinal purposes in every state. After learning all the side effects and symptoms it can relieve a sick patient of, I think it is a reasonable alternative. Having options such as marijuana for treatment purposes gives patients more of an option on what type of treatment they receive. Plus it probably gets really old taking dozens of pills everyday, so smoking marijuana would break the cycle up. My cousin was diagnosed with cancer and I remember her talking about how sick and nauseated she was all the time while undergoing chemotherapy. If she had been legally allowed to use marijuana while enduring the chemo process, it might not have been as excruciating. Overall I think medical marijuana would be an additional, positive option in medical treatment.

Nakaya, Andrea. Marijuana. San Diego, California: Reference Point Press, 2007. 20-32. Print.

How Marijuana Affects Your Health

Marijuana is most commonly smoked. Research has found that marijuana damages the respiratory system just like smoking cigarettes do. Marijuana weakens the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off infection and illness. Studies have also shown that marijuana is harmful to the cardiovascular system because it raises blood pressure and heart rate. Marijuana also reduces fertility in both males and females. Research also supports that marijuana usage can ultimately result in cognitive impairments of the brain such as slow time reaction, difficulty concentrating and remembering, and difficulty performing complex tasks. A 2005 report for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that "marijuana use is associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia or other mental illnesses"(Johnson). There has never been a death as a result of a marijuana overdose. However, many experts believe marijuana is a gateway drug that leads users to try harder drugs such as cocaine and heroin.

I believe that any smoking is detrimental to your health. Cigarettes are bad for your health, but are legal in Alabama to anyone 19 years of age and older. Marijuana however is illegal for anyone to have and smoke. After reading and learning the possible effects it can permanently have on someones health I do not think marijuana should be made legal. Neither do I believe a temporary high is worth the risk. I do believe it is a gateway drug because when someone is high they gain confidence from the marijuana to try new, even more harmful drugs. I think that marijuana should continue to be illegal.


Nakaya, Andrea. Marijuana. San Diego, California: Reference Point Press, 2007. 20-32. Print.