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Medical Marijuana: A Cure or a Hoax? A 28-year-old man suffers from a neurological disorder. A 45-year-old woman suffers from Alzheimers disease. A 50-year-old man feels chronic pain from a benign tumor. What do all these people have in common? One controversial topic that has been discussed with the Supreme Court is the use of medical marijuana. Whereas some people believe that further research of cannabis can lead to new discoveries to help cure cancer and disease; others believe that it will corrupt the medical field and lead to a loss of faith in the legal system. As scientists continue to push for further research, US citizens need to become aware of both sides of the ongoing issue. The ongoing issue has been debated for decades. The historical background of marijuana for medical purposes dates back to ancient Asia and the Middle East (Encyclopedia). It was used as a traditional medicine for common issues such as: back pain, migraines, and high blood pressure. Today, scientists are still discovering new uses for the drug, many of which include: curing block pain in AIDS patients, help with multiple sclerosis and even cancerous tumors (Seppa). Studies show that the development and research of medical marijuana has lead scientists closer to an answer for widespread diseases today, such as AIDS. As the Supreme Court debates the issue they did state, scientific evidence supports the

conclusion that cannabis has legitimate therapeutic value (Carnegie). This different view on medical marijuana is causing researchers to look into further testing of the subject. Furler states that many of the tests have shown a positive effect on patients by reversing some of the fatal symptoms, like weight loss and malnourishment. The new discoveries give hope to patients that there might be a final cure in the near future. Furthermore, the minimal side effects of medical marijuana have lead scientists to do more research on the drug. It was discovered in 1980s that the medicinal components in cannabis, called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), have the possibility of being isolated (Seppa). THC molecules have the ability to bind with receptors in the bodys nervous system. The signals then travel throughout the body to relieve pain. This discovery can allow scientists to form a safer method of distributing cannabis with fewer side effects. On the other hand, for different reasons some people stress the fact that medical marijuana should remain illegal and research should come to a stand still. It is believed that the legalization of marijuana, even for medical purposes, will cause people to lose faith in the governments decisions. The government has classified medical marijuana as a Schedule I drug under the CSA, Controlled Substance Act (Cannabis In the Clinic?). Schedule I drugs are believed to have no medical benefit, and if cannabis were removed from the Schedule I category many would question the governments judgment of the drug. The government has questioned the morality of medical marijuana for decades. In the 1960s marijuana was increasingly used for recreational purposes

within the United States.[I]t spread throughout various student populations from universities and colleges to secondary schools, finally reaching the elementary schools (Encyclopedia). Due to the events with marijuana in this era, many countries around the world began placing restrictions on the drug of the 60s. With the restriction caused many to view cannabis as a negative impact. The negative views that are associated with medical marijuana cause some to believe the drug can be easily abused. CSA fears that the legalization of cannabis for medical reasons just opens another door for drug trafficking (Carnegie). Some fear that if states begin to allow the use and development of medical marijuana, the possibilities to obtain the drug will become much easier (Encyclopedia). Experts believe it could also send a message to many teens and young adults that marijuana can be safe to use for recreational purposes. This intriguing controversial topic has raised many questions whether or not to legalize marijuana for medical uses. According to scientists a halt in research could stop any chances for further development of the medicine. On the other hand, the possible abuse of the drug is causing others to want marijuana to remain illegal. All in all, is medical marijuana a safe path for a cure, or is it just a turn in the wrong direction?

Annotated Bibliography "Cannabis in the Clinic? The Medical Marijuana Debate." Learn.Genetics. Web. 19 Jan. 2012. The article Cannabis in the Clinic talks about the effects medical marijuana can have economically and also socially. They describe the outcomes if medical marijuana were to be legalized in the United States. They speak of both the positive and negative sides, so there really isn't a bias detected. The source comes from the University of Utah website. This source can be credible because many people look to college and university research for accurate and up to date information. Carnegie, Annette P. "Do State Laws Allow for the Medicinal Use of Marijuana Violate Federal Drug Laws?" Point of View Reference Center. May 2001. Web. 19 Dec. 2011. In the article Allowing for the Violate Federal Drug Laws? The author, Annette P. Carnegie, talks about the negative side to medicinal marijuana. They believe that the legalization of medical marijuana will cause people to lose faith in the federal system. Also, the classification of Marijuana as a Schedule I drug, or a drug that is believed to have little medical effect, will cause people to distrust the governments judgment if legalized. They believe that drug trafficking will increase if medicinal marijuana, and marijuana in general, were legalized in the United States. This article is most likely written for an audience that is against the use of medicinal marijuana and against the further research of this harmful drug. Furler, Michelle D. "Medicinal and Recreational Marijuana Use by Patients Infected with

HIV." Consumer Health Complete. Apr. 2004. Web. 19 Dec. 2011. In the article Medicinal and Recreational Marijuana Use by Patients Infected with HIV the author Michelle D Furler talks about the benefits of medicinal marijuana for many HIV patients. There was a survey recorded for patients taking marijuana versus those that dont. Studys showed that more people taking medicinal marijuana had a better healing rate than those that didnt. The use of this medicine is to help the patients gain weight and to try to get many to eat normally again. The medicine was also used for pain management among many women with HIV. There are many factors that apply when prescribing medicinal marijuana. Many doctors have to consider the patients gender, age, HIV clinical status, and history of intravenous drugs. The article also goes on to explain the many different types of cannabis used such as: cannabis sativa, cannabis indica and cannabis ruderalis, but the most common uses of the drug are cannabis sativa. This article is most likely for an audience that wants to know more about the effects medicinal marijuana has on cancer patients. "History of Cannabis Use and Regualtion." Britanica Encyclopedia. Web. 19 Dec. 2011. In the article History of Cannabis Use and Regulations the Encyclopaedia Britannica states the ancient and modern uses for the medicine. Over 3000 years ago in Ancient China many used cannabis as a medicine to cure common aches and pains. Today it is still used to cure common pains and other serious medical conditions. During the 1960s the spread of marijuana and similar drugs spread like wild fire. Today there is a strict regulation on the use of this drug. Only a few states have the legality to research the topic further. This research is helping

scientists discover new ways of dealing with many diseases and cancer today. This article is most likely for an audience that wants to be informed about the drug and its past uses. ""Medical" Marijuana - The Facts." United States Drug Enforcement Administration. Web. 19 Dec. 2011. In the article Medical Marijuana The Facts by the Drug Enforcement Administration talks about the many unknown facts about medicinal marijuana. The medical marijuana is called Marinol and can be prescribed for patients with a number of medical conditions. The chemical found in the Marinol that helps prevent nausea and vomiting is called THC. THC last longer in the bodys receptors making the effects of Marinol last longer than most other medicines. This article is mostly likely for an audience that wants to learn more about this newer medicine, because it is very informative about the drug. Sibbald, Barbara. "Federal Regulations: New Medicinal Marijuana Rules Ease Onus on Physicians." CMAJ. 2005. Web. 19 Jan. 2012. In the article New Medical Marijuana Rules Ease Onus On Physicians the author, Barbara Sibbald, explains the federal regulations taken to legally distribute medicinal marijuana. Patients are told that not all the effects of the new drug are discovered and many are willing to take the risk. There is a lack of research that is causing the drug to remain illegal. However, the revised regulations of the United States allow distribution of government grown marijuana for medical uses. It is clearly stated that not all physicians need to take part in the distribution of medicinal marijuana, but many physicians see this as a step in the right direction

for curing major diseases. The audience intended for this article is most likely people that want to know about the advancements of the medicine and the regulations taken to allow more research on the topic. Underwood, Barbara D. "Do State Laws Allow For the Medical Use of Marijuana?" Point of View Reference Center. May 2001. Web. 19 Dec. 2011. In the article Do State Laws Medicinal Use of Marijuana the author, Barbara D. Underwood, talks about the positive effects of medicinal marijuana and the further research need. She talks about how each state has a right to regulate their own health laws for the distribution of medicinal marijuana. She also states the many cancers and diseases that medicinal marijuana can help heal and cure. More scientific research would help further the knowledge of the many uses that the drug has to offer. This article is most likely for an audience that is for the use of medicinal marijuana and all for more research about the topic.