Medical Marijuana Prescription

Marijuana is also known as pot, grass and weeds, but its official name is in fact cannabis. It comes from the leaves and flowers of the plant Cannabis sativa. It is considered an illegal substance in the U.S. and many countries and possession of marijuana is a crime punishable by law. The FDA classifies marijuana as Schedule I substances have a high potential for abuse and have no proven medical use. Over the years many studies say that some substances found in marijuana have medicinal properties, especially in terminal illnesses like cancer and AIDS. This started a fierce debate over the advantages and disadvantages of the use of medical marijuana. To resolve this debate, the Institute of Medicine published the famous 1999 report, the IOM entitled Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the science base. The report was comprehensive, but does not give a clear yes or no. The opposite sides of the issue of medical marijuana often point part of the report in their defenses. However, although the report said many things, it has never settled the controversy once and for all.

Consider the issues that support why medical marijuana should be legalized.

(1) Marijuana is a natural plant and has been used in South America to Asia as a medicinal plant for millennia. In this era are all natural and organic slogans important health, a natural herb like marijuana may be more attractive to consumers and safer than synthetic drugs.

(2) The marijuana has a high therapeutic potential. Several studies, summarized in the IOM report, have found that cannabis can be used as an analgesic, for example, to treat pain. Some studies have shown that THC, a component of marijuana is effective in treating chronic pain experienced by cancer patients. However, studies on acute pain such as those experienced during surgery and trauma reports were inconclusive. Several studies, summarized in the IOM report, have shown that certain components of marijuana have antiemetic properties and, therefore, effective against nausea and vomiting that are side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Some researchers are convinced that cannabis has a therapeutic potential against neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis. specific compounds extracted from marijuana have a high therapeutic potential. Cannobidiol (CBD), a major component of marijuana, has been shown to have anti-psychotic, anti-cancer and antioxidant properties. other cannabinoids have been shown to prevent high intraocular pressure (IOP), a major risk factor for glaucoma. Drugs that contain active ingredients in marijuana, but have been produced synthetically in the laboratory were approved by the FDA of the United States. An example is Marinol, an antiemetic indicated for nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy. Its active ingredient is dronabinol, a synthetic delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

(3) One of the main proponents of medical marijuana is the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), an organization in the United States. Many professional medical societies and organizations have expressed their support. As an example, the American College of Physicians, has recommended a reassessment of the classification of Annex I of marijuana in their position paper in 2008. ACP also expresses its strong support for research on the therapeutic role of marijuana as well as exemption from criminal prosecution in Canada, professional liability or punishment for doctors who prescribe or dispense medical marijuana in accordance with the law state. Similarly, protection against criminal or civil penalties for patients who use medical marijuana as permitted by the laws of the State.

(4) of medical marijuana is legally used in many countries have developed the argument if they can do it, why not us? is another strong point. Some countries, including Canada, Belgium,.