Mitchell Mahon

Dr. Cassell
English 101
11/28/16
The Right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness
Most people were taught that marijuana is bad, but I like to think Im living
proof that it helps people. But, people need to be able to take their medicine and
not make it illegal because someone else doesnt like it. (Andovula, Krishna).
Krishna is a journalist for the channel viceland, an in-depth free speech network.
Krishna is the host of a documentary television series Weediquette. Krishna
Andovula explores the uses and the people who use cannabis and in this episode,
he interviews a boy named Coltyn who has suffered with sever crones disease since
he was eleven. Coltyn reveals his medical history of trying a myriad of medicines to
repress his crones however none of them were effective until he was suggested to
try cannabinoid (CBD) oil. CBD oil is an extract from the marijuana plant that unlike
the psychoactive elements of the plants provides pain relief and inflammation relief
at the rival of dangerous opioids. Coltyn and his family had to move to Colorado for
him to be able to have and take this life saving medicine. However, while it is
effective, he is now trapped for lack of a better word in Colorado. If Coltyn were to
leave with his medicine he and his family would be committing a felony, drug
trafficking, even though there are no psychoactive elements to his medicine. If
coltyn leaves without his medicine he will relapse and have another episode in the
hospital where just the oil in his blood would incriminate his parents for child abuse
and CPS would take all the Turners children. So how is it that someone like coltyn is

to live a normal life when as Coltyn said they cant leave the state they get
medicine in? The answer came with the recent 2016 election where now 27 states
are legal for medical cannabis use. Even with all this new state legalization federal
law still lists marijuana as a drug with no medical uses so how can clinical evidence
as well as state acceptance and legislation effect federal rulings on the drug in
medical usage?
Marijuana has been listed as a schedule one drug for most its federal
recognition. This means that it is seen as having no apparent medical benefits and
falls under a category that would be described as hazardous. It is for this reason
that so many people view cannabis as harmful and frightening. However in recent
years the attitude towards the drug has slowly changed. Through medical research
and clinical trials the drug has now become a lifesaving medicine for many. The
National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) released a work of research looking into
medical uses of cannabis and recognize the evidence of medical benefits. However,
this also comes with the disclaimer that the drug is still a drug and if the plant and
its supporters would like to see it decriminalized for medical use then there is still a
long path of clinical trials ahead.
The FDA requires carefully conducted studies (clinical trials) in hundreds to

thousands of human subjects to determine the benefits and risks of a

possible medication. So far, researchers have not conducted enough largescale clinical trials that show that the benefits of the marijuana plant (as
opposed to its cannabinoid ingredients) outweigh its risks in patients it is
meant to treat (NIDA).

NIDA announcing the possible medical benefits is a large step in medical progress
for what could be a life-changing breakthrough. Most importantly NIDA sheds light
on what possible ailments medical marijuana can treat. Scientists are also
conducting preclinical and clinical trials with marijuana and its extracts to treat
numerous diseases and conditions, such as the following: autoimmune diseases
(diseases that weaken the immune system): HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis (MS), which
causes gradual loss of muscle control, Alzheimers disease, which causes loss of
brain function, affecting memory, thinking, and behavior, inflammation, pain,
seizures, substance use disorders, mental disorders. As a sufferer of mental illness
myself depression and anxiety, I was extremely curious as to the effects of cannabis
on the brain seeing that my psychiatrist always warned of the dangers to the brain
when using cannabis.
Jeremy Kossen is a scientist and journalist researching the effects of
marijuana consumption on the brain which he wrote about in his article presented
on leafly.com a website devoted to educating the public about cannabis. The below
image is what Kossen took an interest in and it is the endocannabinoid system
(ECS).

The ECS, also known as the bodys own cannabinoid system," is a group

of cannabinoid receptors located in the brain and throughout the central nervous
system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). It plays a vital role in the
regulation of mood, memory, physiology, pain sensation, appetite, and overall
health. While the ECS performs numerous tasks, its primary goal is homeostasis, or
the maintenance of a stable and healthy internal environment (Kossen, Jeremy).
The reason this neurological system is so vital in the research of cannabis is
because cannabinoids, the substance commonly recognized in medicine as being
the most beneficial chemical in the plant, relies on this system to be transported

safely through the brain. The ECS direct neural connections to the CNS and PNS are
what make cannabinoids a vital treatment in mental health cases because it can
safely and directly target chemical imbalances in the brain which result in many
illnesses such as my own.
The actual reactions patients have to cannabis
based medicines is marvelous. A collection of
Swedish scientists studied the use of cannabinoids
and Tetrahydrocannabinol in patients with neurodegeneration diseases especially
Alzheimers. The results were that using these chemicals there was an increase in
the firing between synapses that were believed to be deteriorating at an alarming
rate in these patients which is the main cause of the tragic disease which causes
memory loss as well as many other problems. With this information it is now
possible to begin working with cannabis in order to prolong memory and clarity in
patients who sadly feel those slipping away. The research also gave way to describe
the effects on those with ptsd and anxiety disorders. the result here was that those
suffering from these diseases where able to regain some of the control lost in these
attacks of episodes of panic and fear as well as rational thought. The believed
difference is in chemical dosing where CBD was more beneficial in Alzheimers
patients THC was found to be more effective in these cases due to the calming
effect of the chemical. (Kotula, Lidia, Paulina Sobstyl, Jan Sobstyl ...).
After the 2016 voting and elections medical marijuana is legal in 26
states and the District of Columbia. In this year alone 3 states passed legislation
legalizing recreational marijuana use. Most recently, California, Massachusetts and
Nevada all passed measures in November legalizing recreational marijuana (State
Marijuana Laws in 2016 Map). While the pursuit of medical cannabis is past due

there is a concern of recreational legalization and perhaps this is why federally

marijuana is still seen as an illicit drug.
The Obama Administration continues to oppose legalization of marijuana and
other illegal drugs because this approach runs counter to the public health
approach to drug policy. Evidence shows our drug problem is a major public
health and safety threat, and drug addiction is a disease that can be
successfully prevented and treated. Legalizing drugs would increase their
availability and normalize their use, leading to increased negative health
consequences, particularly among young people. Drug legalization also
undermines preventative health strategies, a keystone in improving overall
public health in the United States. (Unites states of America).
This newfound availability of marijuana has impacted people already which could be
why there is such strong gridlock when it comes to medical marijuana. On one side,
there are people who claim that the drug helps them and that the medical benefits
of the substance out way any harm. Yet, on the other side of the battle there are
those who see the dangers being presented in the form of a new influence on
children who now see parents and older siblings simply going into cannabis shops
and simply purchasing an item once sold in shady back-alley deals. Marijuana is
known to effect growing minds which is cause for concern with it being so readily
available in many states. Other implications of legalizing marijuana come in the
form of driving under the influence which could raise in states with legalized
marijuana. Driving high is still illegal whether owning the substance is or is not
which many new users do not know or disregard. Finally a study by Jeremiah
Wilhelm delves into the belief that many cannabis users have that it is better for the
lungs to inhale smoke from cannabis than it is tobacco. Wilhelm swiftly disproved

this idea. As I found out, cannabis smoke is not only harder on the circulatory
system than tobacco, but while [t]here is widespread belief that, unlike tobacco
smoke, marijuana smoke is benign (Springer 2016), studies on circulatory health
show that its smoke and secondhand smoke may be harmful (Wilhelm,
Jerimiah).
Even with the downsides and current federal ruling on marijuana it still is a
topic that needs to be debated. The medical benefits found in clinical trials of
marijuana can treat many chronic diseases and even treat neurological disorders
once believed to be untreatable. I hope that by presenting this information those
who are unclear about why there is any talk over legalization will begin to
understand the dilemma at hand. Medical marijuana has the potential to help those
with diseases such as multiple sclerosis and crones and mental disorders such as
anxiety and depression. There needs to be a dialogue between those who use
medical marijuana and the federal government. I dont believe there are benefits to
recreational marijuana and the laws outlining it are clear and sensible. However,
that people like Coltyn must be bound to legal states and fear for their well-being
upon leaving their state of residency is unfair and I believe unconstitutional.
Because it is impossible to have life liberty and the pursuit of happiness if the
government refuses to allow your medicine.

Works cited
Andavolu, Krishna. "Weediquette Marijuana Migrants." Weediquette. Viceland.
Venice Beach, California, 22 Mar. 2016. Television.

Kotula, Lidia, Paulina Sobstyl, Jan Sobstyl Paulina Chwil, Karol Terlecki, Jolanta
Karwat, Paulina Gil-kulick, Alicja Niedojadlo, and Janusz Kocki. "APPLICATION OF
MEDICAL CANNABIS IN PATIENTS WITH THE NEURODEGENERATION DISORDERS."
Ebsco. N.p., 2014. Web. 11 Nov. 2016.
Kossen, Jeremy. "How Does Cannabis Consumption Affect the Brain? | Leafly." Leafly.
Leafly, 07 July 2016. Web. 12 Nov. 2016. <https://www.leafly.com/news/health/howmarijuana-affects-the-brain>.
NIDA. "Is Marijuana Medicine?" DrugFacts:. National Institute on Drug Abuse, JuneJuly 2015. Web. 10 Nov. 2016.
United States of America. National Drug Control Policy. The Public Health
Consequences of Marijuana Legalization. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Web.
Wilhelm, Jerimiah. "What Are the Negative Effects of Cannabis Smoking and
Secondhand Smoke? | Leafly." Leafly. Leafly, 02 Nov. 2016. Web. 10 Nov. 2016.
"State Marijuana Laws in 2016 Map." Governing Magazine: State and Local
Government News for America's Leaders. Ed. Mike Maciag. Dr. Mark Funkhouser,
n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2016. <http://www.governing.com/gov-data/state-marijuana-lawsmap-medical-recreational.html>.