MARIJUANA

AS HERBAL MEDICINE

A Term Paper Presented to

The Faculty of the English Department
College of Arts and Sciences
Our Lady of Fatima University
Antipolo City, Rizal

In Partial Fulfilment
of the Requirements for the Course
ENG 2 Basic Communication and Skills II

Bermudes, Marla Antonette U.

Celestial, Danah L.
Julao, Daisy Jane N.
MD 1Y2-1
December 2014

Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the Study

Marijuana products are the most widely trafficked drugs worldwide, accounting for 65
percent of all global seizure cases (1.65 million cases) in 2006. 5,200 metric tons of
herb and 1,000 metric tons of resin were seized in 2006. Practically all countries in the
world are affected by marijuana trafficking. Similarly, marijuana also remains the most
widely used drug worldwide, with an estimated 166 million people having used
marijuana in 2006, equivalent to some 4 percent of the global population aged 15-64.
At the same time, especially since the end of the last century, production methods have
become increasingly sophisticated, resulting in the availability in illicit markets of a
wide range of marijuana products with widely varying levels of the main psychoactive
ingredient. Most recently, there has also been a renewed debate about increasing THC
content (frequently referred to as potency) in illicit marijuana products.
All of this requires analytical data which are comparable between laboratories and
over time. However, most countries do not require by law the detailed analysis of the
THC content of the different products, and where such analyses are carried out, they
use a variety of approaches and experimental designs, reducing the comparability. On
the technological side, the analysis of marijuana products is further complicated by the
relatively restricted availability of pure or well defined reference material of THC and
others. (file:///C:/Users/F/Downloads/ST-NAR-40-Ebook.pdf)
The Department of Health (DOH) in Manila Philippines said it is still weighing in on
the medical benefits of the use of marijuana plant to determine as it may cause
addiction and may affect memory, learning and behavior.
Marijuana or cannabis may be green or brown and can be rolled into a cigarette or
smoked into a pipe. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United
States, it could cause coughing and breathing problems and becomes addicting if used
persistently.
Some states in the US have approved its medicinal use although scientists are still
working on more research on its ingredients. (http://www.mb.com.ph/doh-studyingmedical-use-of-marijuana/)

B. Statement of the Problem

This study aims to answer this questions:

1. Is marijuana a gateway drug?

2. Does marijuana affect mental health?
C. Significance of the Study
5 of 10 Surprising Health Benefits of Medical Marijuana
1. It can stop HIV from spreading throughout the body
Scientists announced that THC, an active ingredient in cannabis, was effective in
stopping the spread of HIV in monkeys. The monkeys that received daily THC doses had
higher levels of healthy cells as well.
2. It slows the progression of Alzheimer's
A 2006 study found that marijuana can block an enzyme that is behind the progression of
Alzheimer's. It also prevents protein clumps that can inhibit cognition and memory.
3. It slows the spread of cancer cells
Researchers in the U.K. have already been able to use marijuana compounds to kill
cancer cells in leukemia patients.
4. It is an active pain reliever
Marijuana's anti-inflammatory pain relief has shown to be effective in treating a host of
illnesses and conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and migraines.
5. It can prevent or help with opiate addiction
Because marijuana acts as such effective medication, it can reduce dependence on opiatebased medication, which has more addictive qualities.

6. It combats depression, anxiety and ADHD

A 2005 study found that those who consume marijuana occasionally or even daily have
lower levels of depressive symptoms than those who have never tried marijuana. In small
doses, it relieves anxiety and symptoms of ADHD.

7. It can treat epilepsy and Tourette's

A Colorado non-profit has already developed a strain called "Charlotte's Web," which
they provide for free to those who suffer from epilepsy, Parkinson's and similar
conditions. The strain is named after a 6-year-old epileptic patient who inspired the move.
8. It can help with other neurological damage, such as concussions and strokes
Research indicates that marijuana has neuroprotective qualities, which can limit
neurological damage after stroke or trauma. There has already been talk over where
the NFL could introduce marijuana to deal with concussions.
9. It can prevent blindness from glaucoma
By decreasing the pressure inside the eye, marijuana can prevent blindness for those who
suffer from glaucoma. Research found that marijuana was effective in lowering eye
pressure when ingested orally, intravenously or by inhalation.
10. It's connected to lower insulin levels in diabetics
The most important finding is that current users of marijuana appeared to have better
carbohydrate metabolism than nonusers, according to a Harvard researcher. The 20052010 study found that the current marijuana users showed fasting insulin levels that
were 16% lower than those of former or never users, along with a 17% reduction in
another measure of insulin resistance as well. (http://mic.com/articles/84675/10surprising-health-benefits-of-medical-marijuana)

D. Scope and Limitations

Research shows marijuana may cause problems in daily life or make a person's existing
problems worse. Heavy marijuana users generally report lower life satisfaction, poorer
mental and physical health, more relationship problems, and less academic and career
success compared to non-marijuana-using peers. For example, marijuana use is
associated with a higher likelihood of dropping out of school. Several studies also
associate workers' marijuana smoking with increased absences, tardiness, accidents,

workers' compensation claims, and job turnover.

(http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana)
E. Materials and Methods
This term paper employs a descriptive method since the researches aim to describe and
discuss marijuana as a herbal medicine which is a concern of many experts today.
Additional analytical techniques and approaches for the analysis of marijuana products
such as Qualitative analysis to permit an accurate and meaningful chemical analysis.
Informations relevant to the study were gathered from various reference materials such
as books and on-line sources.
F. Definitions of Terms
Alzheimer's disease. A progressive disease that destroys memory and other important
mental functions.
Gateway drug. A drug that thought to lead to the use of more dangerous drugs.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Weakens your immune system by destroying
important cells that fight disease and infection.
Marijuana. The most popular and easily accessible illegal drug in the United States
today. Therefore, people who have used less accessible drugs such as heroin, cocaine and
LSD, are likely to have also used marijuana.
Tetrahydrocannabidinol (THC).
The active ingredient in cannabis,giving it its narcotic and psychoactive effects.