Marijuana is also known as weed, pot, and grass, but its official name is cannabis. It is extracted from the leaves and flowers of Cannabis sativa. Marijuana is a controlled substance in the United States and many other nations, and its possession is punishable by law. Marijuana is classified by the FDA as a Schedule I substance, which includes substances with a high potential for abuse and no proven medical use. Throughout the years, a number of studies have asserted that certain substances in marijuana have medicinal value, particularly in terminal diseases such as cancer and AIDS. This sparked a heated debate regarding the pros and cons of medical marijuana use. In 1999, the Institute of Medicine published the renowned report Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base in an effort to settle this debate. The report was exhaustive but did not provide a definitive yes or no answer. In their advocacy arguments, opposing camps on the medical marijuana issue frequently cite portions of the report. Despite the fact that the report clarified a great deal, it did not resolve the controversy once and for all.
Let's examine the arguments in favor of medical marijuana legalization.
(1) Marijuana is a naturally occurring herb that has been used as a herbal remedy from South America to Asia for millennia. In a time when natural and organic are significant health buzzwords, Buy Legal Marijuana Online in USA a naturally occurring herb such as marijuana may be more appealing to consumers and safer than synthetic drugs.
(2) Cannabis has significant therapeutic potential. Several studies, as summarized in the IOM report, have found that cannabis can be used as an analgesic, for instance to treat pain. A few studies demonstrated that THC, a component of marijuana, is effective in treating cancer patients' chronic pain. Studies on acute pain, such as that experienced during surgery and trauma, have produced inconclusive findings. A few studies, also summarized in the IOM report, have shown that certain components of marijuana have antiemetic properties and are therefore effective against nausea and vomiting, which are common side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer. Some researchers are convinced that cannabis has therapeutic potential against neurodegenerative disorders like multiple sclerosis. Specific cannabinoid compounds extracted from cannabis have therapeutic potential. It has been demonstrated that cannabidiol (CBD), a major component of cannabis, possesses antipsychotic, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. Other cannabinoids have been shown to prevent elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), a major glaucoma risk factor. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved drugs containing active ingredients found in marijuana but synthesized in a laboratory, such as Marinol, an antiemetic agent indicated for nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy. Its active ingredient is synthetic delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol dronabinol (THC).
The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), a U.S.-based organization, is one of the leading advocates of medical marijuana. Numerous societies and organizations of medical professionals have expressed their support. In their 2008 position paper, the American College of Physicians recommended a reevaluation of the Schedule I classification of marijuana. ACP also expresses its strong support for research into the therapeutic role of marijuana, as well as exemption from federal criminal prosecution, civil liability, and professional sanctions for physicians who prescribe or distribute medical marijuana in accordance with state law. Similarly, protection from criminal or civil penalties for patients who legally use medical marijuana.
(4) Medical marijuana is legal in a number of developed nations. If they can do it, why can't we? is another noteworthy feature. Some nations, including Canada, Belgium, Austria, Buy Weed Online Shipping USA the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Spain, Israel, and Finland, have legalized the use of marijuana for medical purposes under strict prescription control. Some states within the United States also permit exemptions.
The arguments against medical marijuana are listed below.
(1) Lack of safety and efficacy data. In terms of drug regulation, safety comes first. First, the safety of marijuana and its constituents must be established. effectiveness comes second. Even if marijuana has some positive health effects, the benefits must outweigh the risks for its medical use to be considered. It may be unlikely that marijuana will be approved for medical use unless it is shown to be superior (more effective and safer) than currently available drugs. Robert J. Meyer of the Department of Health and Human Services testified that having access to a drug or medical treatment without knowing how to use it or even if it is effective is of no benefit to anyone. Access without information on safety, efficacy, and appropriate use does not benefit patients.
(2) Chemical components that are unknown. Marijuana is only readily available and affordable in its herbal form. Similar to other plants, marijuana is classified as a botanical product. Unpurified botanical products, on the other hand, present a number of issues, including inconsistency between lots, dosage determination, potency, shelf life, and toxicity. According to the IOM report, the isolated cannabinoids and their synthetic derivatives hold the most promise for medical use of marijuana. To fully characterize the various components of marijuana would require so much time and money that the resulting medications would be too expensive. At this time, no pharmaceutical company appears interested in investing funds to isolate additional therapeutic components from marijuana beyond those currently available.
(3) Possibility for abuse. Cannabis or marijuana is addictive. It may not be as addictive as harder drugs such as cocaine, but the potential for substance abuse associated with marijuana cannot be denied. Several studies have demonstrated this, as summarized in the IOM report.
(4) The absence of a safe delivery method. The most prevalent method of marijuana administration is smoking. Given the current trends in anti-smoking legislation, health authorities will never approve this method of administration. Vaporizers, nebulizers, and inhalers that are both dependable and safe are still in the testing phase.
(5) Symptom relief, not treatment. Even if cannabis has therapeutic properties, it only treats the symptoms of certain diseases. It does not cure or treat these diseases. Given that it is effective against these symptoms, Best Online Dispensary in USA there are already medications that are just as effective, if not more so, without the side effects and abuse potential of marijuana.
The 1999 IOM report was unable to settle the medical marijuana debate based on the available scientific evidence. The report strongly discouraged the use of smoked marijuana, but made an exception for medical inhalers and vaporizers. In addition, the report recommended the use of marijuana for compassionate purposes under strict medical supervision. In addition, it urged increased funding for research into the safety and effectiveness of cannabinoids.
What then prevents clarification of the questions raised by the IOM report? It does not appear that the health authorities are interested in conducting another review. There are few available data, and those that do exist are biased towards safety concerns regarding the negative effects of smoking marijuana. Efficacy information is primarily derived from studies on synthetic cannabinoids (e.g. THC). This disparity in data makes it difficult to conduct an objective risk-benefit analysis.
Few and difficult clinical studies on marijuana are conducted due to limited funding and stringent regulations. Due to the involved legal complexities, very few pharmaceutical companies invest in cannabinoid research. In many instances, it is unclear how to define medical marijuana, which is supported and opposed by numerous groups. Does it only refer to the use of marijuana, or does it also include synthetic cannabinoid components (such as THC and its derivatives)? The high cost of synthetic cannabinoids (e.g., Marinol) on the market drives consumers to marijuana, which contains cannabinoids at a lower cost. Conspiracy theories involving the pharmaceutical industry and drug regulators certainly cloud the issue.
In conclusion, the future of medical marijuana and the resolution of the debate would be contingent on more thorough and comparable scientific research. An immediate update to the IOM report is required.
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