It may be shocking to know that marijuana
was a part of the pharmacopeia industry from the 1840’s until 1941 when it was
removed and eventually declared illegal by the Controlled Substance Act of
1970. Since that time many states have
defied federal regulations and re-categorized marijuana as a schedule II drug,
instead of the federal categorization that makes it a schedule I. Despite personal opinions about recreational
use, there are instances in which the effectiveness of Marijuana as a
medication has been documented. Many also believe that the federal government
does not have the right to regulate an issue that should be handled at a state
level.
To effectively argue which conditions medical
marijuana should be made under to make it legal; one must consider its
potential purpose as well as its effectiveness against the potential harmful
influences. Marijuana produces a resin containing compounds called cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are active chemicals in Cannabis that cause drug-like effects throughout the body, including the central nervous
system and the immune system. According to the National Cancer Institute, cannabinoids have been researched and there is evidence
for clinical for relief of pain, nausea and vomiting, anxiety, loss of appetite, and many more ailments. It is important to note that
privately funded research has shown that when you heat cannabis you do lose 99
percent of the beneficial properties. When talking to most people who are against
legalization they seem to have a lot of the same arguments. The main one is that marijuana was not
adequately tested nor approved by the FDA.
From my research there has only been one credible source of quality marijuana
that scientist could use for research.
Dr. Lyle Cracker, a professor applied to get a license to grow the plant
and conduct a five million dollar study to alter inhaled or vaporized marijuana
into something the FDA would approve for medicinal purposes. It took Dr. Cracker nearly four years to be
granted permission. Two years later, the
DEA Deputy Administrator overturned that decision. Lyle retired at the age of
70 but remained a strong supporter of medicinal marijuana.
In
1996 California voters passed Proposition 215, otherwise known as the
Compassionate Use Act of 1996. This was the first time a state defied the
federal government. This allowed extremely ill patients to obtain and use
marijuana for medicinal purposes. It
also prevented these patients from being prosecuted as criminals. It has not
been easy for California or any other states that have implemented laws as this
one. It is important to note that marijuana remains a schedule I drug and is
still illegal by their law. The federal government has fought this every step
of the way. Their efforts have included
by threats to physicians who wrote prescriptions and to property owners who
rented to people who were running dispensaries.
The states feel it is a question of personal rights and listening to the
citizens that elect them. They feel that the government has no basis for making
a decision regarding individuals’ health care choices. The federal governments argument is linked to
the commerce clause. If you do not know what that is, I encourage you to go read about it.
What still remains a mystery is why there is such opposition by
the federal government. Why exactly did marijuana become illegal in the first
place? The only answers I came across in my research was a spike in crime was
linked to a surge of Mexican marijuana smokers crossing our borders. Even
through the current presidential term our government refuses to even consider
federally funded research.
In conclusion to this longstanding
argument between the federal government and state, while I will NEVER change my opinion about recreational use, it is my belief that the
federal government has over stepped their bounds. When our founding fathers
created the constitution they granted power to the federal government over
areas of military crimes, treason, and counterfeiting. The laws are gray when it comes to government
versus state when it comes to matters such as this topic. Finally, are we not supposed to lead the
medical industry? I would think that they would be anxious to disprove the
effectiveness of cannibus if they are so against it. The FDA needs to regulate
it to ensure it is safe for those who do make the choice to use. It is my
opinion that after more research and credible experiments that a plan be put
into action to legalize marijuana for medicinal use. This of coarse is assuming a positive result.
Marijuana does have side affects but what medication does not?
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