One of the most controversial issues that have been widely debated to date is the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes. The proponents for legalization of marijuana persistently claimed that suppressing and criminalizing marijuana use undermines the plant’s medicinal value. However, the opposition stood their ground by continuously acknowledging marijuana as a “Schedule I drug” that can be abused, does not have any proven medical value, and is not safe to be applied as a medically supervised treatment (Iversen).
Yet, with the growing understanding of people towards the medical capabilities of marijuana, the drawbacks presented by its critics are undermined by its outlined benefits. As such, it is therefore acceptable to legalize marijuana for the purpose of its medical capabilities. Antagonistic stance towards the initiation of marijuana as a medical treatment is reinforced by the belief that it is immoral and illegal and lacks empirical support in terms of safety and efficacy. The US Institute of Medicine held a comprehensive study in 1999 to assess the health benefits of marijuana and cannabinoids (qtd. in Melansek).
Considering the results of the study, the organization did not recommend the use of marijuana in treating any form of diseases (US Institute of Medicine qtd in Melansek). Also, limited studies have proven that cannabinoids is medically effective (Melansek). Despite these, many people still perceive marijuana as an essential medicine that could alleviate pain which other medical treatments are unable to achieve. The patronage for the medical applications of marijuana is centered on five major points: appetite stimulation, aid for movement and neurological disorders, control of nausea and vomiting, glaucoma, and analgesia (Voleker qtd.
in Inciardi). Recent studies supported by distinguished professional sectors, including American Public Health Association, American Medical Association, and New England Journal of Medicine, demonstrated that marijuana is an effective form of medicine that provides relief for unpleasant pains and symptoms associated with debilitating diseases like AIDS, paraplegia, cancer, drug addiction, psoriasis, and multiple sclerosis (Pollan qtd. in Inciardi). Hence, more and more countries are now recognizing marijuana’s medical capabilities and are applying it as a medical treatment with a physician’s approval.
As a Schedule I drug, marijuana is seen as unsafe, subject to be abused, and bereft of any medical value. A number of studies also have pointed out that smoking marijuana has a profound impact on the psychological well being of its users as it causes higher levels of depression and anxiety and triggers the onset or relapse of schizophrenia (Melansek). However, recent studies state that “marijuana is no more harmful than legal substances like alcohol and tobacco” (International Debate Education Association [IDEA] 150).
A study from British Medical Association has proven that cigarette nicotine is much more addictive compared to marijuana, and marijuana is the best drug for medical use as it ranks the lowest in terms of withdrawal symptoms, dependence, and tolerance (IDEA 150). Scientists and individuals with bi-polar disorders, be it mania or depression, have also independently discovered that cannabis has the capability to improve medical condition (Melansek). Likewise, no empirical evidences have established a direct relationship between long-term use of marijuana and brain damage or cognitive impairment (Iversen).