Medical Marijuana

[Mr.Bazerkus]

I'm not sure exactly what am supposed to do for a topic opener, but I will try my best here.

Marijuana Legal Status

Currently Marijuana is illegal federally. The DEA puts drugs into different schedules depending on how dangerous they deem them to be, and their medical value. Currently marijuana is scheduled as a schedule 1 drug. This means it has no medical value, and is extremely dangerous according to the DEA* No State permits marijuana trafficking though 12 states permit it to be used for medical reasons. Though the government because of a 2004 supreme case can still prosecute people even where it is legal(raich vs gonzales)
Marijuana is it medically effective

Yes marijuana is a very effective medicine. Lots of research shows marijuana to be a very effective medicine. A matter of fact in 1988 I believe the DEA law judge(weird I know) was quoted with saying something to the extent of
"Marijuana is the safest theoretically active medicine known to man kind. It would be unreasonable arbitrary, and capricious for the DEA to continue to stand between those suffers and the benefit of this drug(Franscis L, Young)*******. Marijuana is very effective in treating disease that other medicines can not. For example neurological pain caused by damage to the nerves. Marijuana has been shown to relieve the symptoms better then other drugs. ** According to a study
Not only that marijuana can slow down the progression of cancer and other disease like AIDS.***
Their are numerous others disease where marijuana has been shown to relieve the symptoms of the disease.****

myths

Numerous myths surround marijuana a lot of it is government propaganda. I'm not saying marijuana is something everyone should use, but in dire situations where it would improve the life of the person using it. People have the right to use the medicine.

1. Marijuana is not additive according to a study. No ingredient in marijuana causes addition. Yes it can become additive mentally, but anything can do so. And that is no reason to make it illegal. ******

2. Marijuana can does have a bad effect to the lungs, but it is very minimal. Their has been no cause of lung cancer contributed only to marijuana. This is because marijuana smokers tend to inhale less smoke then tobacco smokers.********

3. Marijuana is not a gateway drug. The thing about the government data is it is hard to tell which came first, and marijuana is the most popular drug in America. According to some estimates about 1/3 of the current population has tried marijuana. The thing is thing is those who try other more dangerous drugs like LCD first . Are more likely to have try marijuana first. But most marijuana users(first time drugs users) to not move on to other drugs.

4. Marijuana can cause short term memory lost and confusion, but there is no convincing evidence that heavy long-term marijuana use permanently impairs memory or other cognitive functions. However in a study patients where able to recall past thoughts, but they were unable to process new information.

5. Marijuana does not impair driving. a mater of fact some users under the influence of marijuana. Actually are more cautious of the road. And are more careful when driving.******

6. It is literally impossible to overdose on marijuana. No one has ever overdose on just taking marijuana. The amount of marijuana needed to overdose is unbelievable. I think by one estimate 150 pounds in a 15 minute period or something to that extent. *********

Conclusion
Marijuana is a safe and effective medicine. I not the only one who believes this. Their are countless credible groups,and research that agrees with me. In 2006 ACP the second largest physician group in the US. Suggested that the government should change marijuana schedule into a more appropriate one accounting for all of its medical value.

If your sick and marijuana is the best option available to you. Their is no reason why you should not get to use it. Patients have the right to use medical marijuana when deemed appropriate. Without having to worry about government harassment.

*http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/scheduling.html

**http://www.neurology.org/cgi/conten...c=relevance&fdate=1/1/2006&resourcetype=HWCIT
***http://www.cannabis-med.org/english/journal/en_2006_02_1.pdf
****http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=7002
*****http://www.procon.org/viewbackgroundresource.asp?resourceID=1492
******http://www.drugpolicy.org/marijuana/factsmyths/
*******http://www.druglibrary.org/Schaffer/LIBRARY/studies/YOUNG/young1.html
********http://safeaccessnow.org/downloads/Tashkin_Study.pdf
*********http://www.erowid.org/plants/cannabis/cannabis_info14.shtml

 

[AltF4]

Sources. You need sources.

Especially when you're trying to mythbust. You need to support your claims with real evidence.

 

[Mr.Bazerkus]

Okay
I knew I needed facts and evidence but i didn't know I needed evidence okay, but where should I put them after making a claim or at the end. Does it matter

 

[AltF4]

We don't have any set style around these parts. Links are good.

You can do something like this:

I claim something really controversial in this sentence! [1] And I make an even more outrageous claim in this sentence! [2]

(then at the end of the post)
[1] www.link to evidence number 1.com
[2] www. link to evidence number 2.com


That style is good. Easy to follow, and works well for internet users.

 

[Mr.Bazerkus]

Okay thank you.
I think I will fix it tomorrow. I don't have enough time to do that efficiently write now.
No signature I forgot sorry.

 

[handsockpuppet]

Since you have not presented any sources yet, I will. They're all pretty reliable sources.

Marijuana is it medically effective
[/U][/SIZE]
Yes marijuana is a very effective medicine. Lots of research shows marijuana to be a very effective medicine. A matter of fact in 1988 I believe the DEA law judge(weird I know) was quoted with saying something to the extent of
Marijuana is the safest theoretically active medicine known to man kind. It would be unreasonable arbitrary, and capricious for the DEA to continue to stand between those suffers and the benefit of this drug. Marijuana is very effective in treating disease that other medicines can not. For example neurological pain caused by damage to the nerves. Marijuana has been shown to relieve the symptoms better then other drugs. According to a study.
Not only that marijuana can slow down the progression of cancer and other disease like AIDS.
Their are numerous others disease where marijuana has been shown to relieve the symptoms of the disease.

Numerous myths surround marijuana a lot of it is government propaganda. I'm not saying marijuana is something everyone should use, but in dire situations where it would improve the life of the person using it. People have the right to use the medicine.

Marijuana is a safe and effective medicine. I not the only one who believes this. Their are countless credible groups,and research that agrees with me. In 2006 ACP the second largest physician group in the US. Suggested that the government should change marijuana schedule into a more appropriate one accounting for all of its medical value.

If your sick and marijuana is the best option available to you. Their is no reason why you should not get to use it. Patients have the right to use medical marijuana when deemed appropriate. Without having to worry about government harassment.

It seems to me the biggest medical advantages of marijuana are to make someone eat more and to relieve some neurological pain. Not exactly dire situations. Force eating (having a doctor sit down and make somebody eat) has no side effects or risks, and is needed in addition to weed anyway. Plus, neurological pain is better solved by acupuncture http://www.acufinder.com/Acupuncture+Information/Detail/Acupuncture+Treats+Neurological+Pain+ and therapy http://www.health.am/ab/more/combination_therapy_effective_for_neurological_pain/ with no side effects or risks whatsoever. There are certain other pains cannabis can relieve, but some safe painkillers work better.

myths Numerous myths surround marijuana a lot of it is government propaganda. I'm not saying marijuana is something everyone should use, but in dire situations where it would improve the life of the person using it. People have the right to use the medicine.

1. Marijuana is not additive according to a study. No ingredient in marijuana causes addition. Yes it can become additive mentally, but anything can do so. And that is no reason to make it illegal.

2. Marijuana can does have a bad effect to the lungs, but it is very minimal. Their has been no cause of lung cancer contributed only to marijuana. This is because marijuana smokers tend to inhale less smoke then tobacco smokers.

3. Marijuana is not a gateway drug. The thing about the government data is it is hard to tell which came first, and marijuana is the most popular drug in America. According to some estimates about 1/3 of the current population has tried marijuana. The thing is thing is those who try other more dangerous drugs like LCD first . Are more likely to have try marijuana first. But most marijuana users(first time drugs users) to not move on to other drugs.

4. Marijuana can cause short term memory lost and confusion, but [/SIZE][/SIZE]there is no convincing evidence that heavy long-term marijuana use permanently impairs memory or other cognitive functions. However in a study patients where able to recall past thoughts, but they were unable to process new information.

5. Marijuana does not impair driving. a mater of fact some users under the influence of marijuana. Actually are more cautious of the road. And are more careful when driving.

6. It is literally impossible to overdose on marijuana. No one has ever overdose on just taking marijuana. The amount of marijuana needed to overdose is unbelievable. I think by one estimate 150 pounds in a 15 minute period or something to that extent.

Conclusion
Marijuana is a safe and effective medicine. I not the only one who believes this. Their are countless credible groups,and research that agrees with me. In 2006 ACP the second largest physician group in the US. Suggested that the government should change marijuana schedule into a more appropriate one accounting for all of its medical value.

If your sick and marijuana is the best option available to you. Their is no reason why you should not get to use it. Patients have the right to use medical marijuana when deemed appropriate. Without having to worry about government harassment.

1) http://www.nida.nih.gov/infofacts/marijuana.html
"Long-term marijuana abusers trying to quit report irritability, sleeplessness, decreased appetite, anxiety, and drug craving, all of which make it difficult to quit. These withdrawal symptoms begin within about 1 day following abstinence, peak at 2–3 days, and subside within 1 or 2 weeks following drug cessation."

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/addictions/drugs/485.html
"Could I become chemically dependent on marijuana?
Yes. When you’re chemically dependent on marijuana, it means you crave it and you need to use more and more to get the same effect. You may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using it, such as depressed feelings, trouble sleeping or nausea. Because marijuana is a lot stronger now than it used to be, people are also more likely to abuse it and become dependent on it than they were in the past. "

2) http://www.nida.nih.gov/researchreports/marijuana/Marijuana3.html
"A study comparing 173 cancer patients and 176 healthy individuals produced strong evidence that smoking marijuana increases the likelihood of developing cancer of the head or neck, and that the more marijuana smoked, the greater the increase.17 A statistical analysis of the data suggested that marijuana smoking doubled or tripled the risk of these cancers.

Marijuana has the potential to promote cancer of the lungs and other parts of the respiratory tract because it contains irritants and carcinogens.40 In fact, marijuana smoke contains 50 percent to 70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than does tobacco smoke.41 It also produces high levels of an enzyme that converts certain hydrocarbons into their carcinogenic form, levels that may accelerate the changes that ultimately produce malignant cells.42 Marijuana users usually inhale more deeply and hold their breath longer than tobacco smokers do, which increases the lungs' exposure to carcinogenic smoke. These facts suggest that, puff for puff, smoking marijuana may increase the risk of cancer more than smoking tobacco does."

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/addictions/drugs/485.html
"One marijuana cigarette can cause more damage to the lungs than many tobacco cigarettes because marijuana has more tar in it and is usually smoked without filters."

3) http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/addictions/drugs/485.html

"It’s often the first illegal drug a person will try. Sometimes marijuana use leads to the use of other illegal drugs. "

4) http://alcoholism.about.com/od/pot/a/effects.-Lya.htm
"The short-term effects of marijuana include:

* Distorted perception (sights, sounds, time, touch)
* Problems with memory and learning
* Loss of coordination
* Trouble with thinking and problem-solving
* Increased heart rate, reduced blood pressure

Sometimes marijuana use can also produce anxiety, fear, distrust, or panic."

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/addictions/drugs/485.html

"The following are some of the common side effects of using marijuana:

* Trouble remembering things
* Slowed reaction time
* Difficulty concentrating
* Sleepiness
* Anxiety
* Paranoia (feeling that people are "out to get you")
* Altered time perception
* Red, bloodshot eyes
* Tremors (shaking)
* Nausea
* Headache
* Decreased coordination
* Breathing problems
* Increased appetite
* Reduced blood flow to the brain
* Changes in the reproductive organs"

http://www.drugfree.org/Portal/drug_guide/Marijuana
"What are its long-term effects?
Marijuana smoke contains some of the same cancer-causing compounds as tobacco, sometimes in higher concentrations.Studies show that someone who smokes five joints per week may be taking in as many cancer-causing chemicals as someone who smokes a full pack of cigarettes every day."

5) http://doitnow.org/pages/126.html
"Pot also reduces logical thinking and calculation skills, and can impair a user's ability to perform complex tasks, including driving a car."

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/addictions/drugs/485.html
"Using marijuana can be especially dangerous in certain situations, such as when you are driving, because your reaction time is slower. This make it more difficult to react to a dangerous situation, which could cause an accident."

6) You can't overdose, maybe, but there are risks that are almost unavoidable if you smoke it a lot.

NOTE: I cited http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/addictions/drugs/485.html multiple times.

I believe that marijuana is a harmful drug, and frankly since it's already illegal I think it's best if it stays that way. there may not be any humongous effects, but it has a lot of small effects that are very common. One thin g you did not mention is that if they did legalize marijuana, or make it prescription, it would be extremely easy to pick up, for children too. Marijuana is harmful, addictive, and makes you unaware during the time you smoke it. It's medical purposes are few and unimportant, and has more and worse risks than many alternatives.

 

[Mr.Bazerkus]

I am just when I have more time like the weekend.
I shouldn't have posted this it was too much in the rough draft stage.
but I will add the sources and stuff later. Which means tomorrow or more likely after school is done which is Thursday. School is just more important to me now. I want to end the year strong

edit.
http://www.mpp.org/assets/pdfs/general/TeenUseReport_0608.pdf
Actually data has shown that in the 12 states that allow medical marijuana usage has drop down.
1995-96 Usage by 9th graders in California was about 30% by 2000 it drop down to 19%

 

[KrazyGlue]

I believe that ingredients of marijuana can be used medically, such as cannabidiol, but not all of it.

myths

Numerous myths surround marijuana a lot of it is government propaganda. I'm not saying marijuana is something everyone should use, but in dire situations where it would improve the life of the person using it. People have the right to use the medicine.

1. Marijuana is not additive according to a study. No ingredient in marijuana causes addition. Yes it can become additive mentally, but anything can do so. And that is no reason to make it illegal. ******

Other studies conclude that it is addictive; this is a highly contested point, and it would be a very big risk to legalize marijuana while there is so much uncertainty around it.

2. Marijuana can does have a bad effect to the lungs, but it is very minimal. Their has been no cause of lung cancer contributed only to marijuana. This is because marijuana smokers tend to inhale less smoke then tobacco smokers.********

First of all, there have also been studies that show marijuana does cause lung cancer. Also, many sources show marijuana to have many more cancerous chemicals than tobacco. Not only that, marijuana has been linked to testicular cancer as well.

3. Marijuana is not a gateway drug. The thing about the government data is it is hard to tell which came first, and marijuana is the most popular drug in America. According to some estimates about 1/3 of the current population has tried marijuana. The thing is thing is those who try other more dangerous drugs like LCD first . Are more likely to have try marijuana first. But most marijuana users(first time drugs users) to not move on to other drugs.

This shouldn't be part of the issue if marijuana is only to be used under medical supervision. You're not in favor of legalizing marijuana to the public, are you?

4. Marijuana can cause short term memory lost and confusion, but there is no convincing evidence that heavy long-term marijuana use permanently impairs memory or other cognitive functions. However in a study patients where able to recall past thoughts, but they were unable to process new information.

Well, judging from the second part of this statement, you've essentially made an argument against yourself.

5. Marijuana does not impair driving. a mater of fact some users under the influence of marijuana. Actually are more cautious of the road. And are more careful when driving.******

There have been many studies showing that marijuana does impair driving. But again, this shouldn't be part of the issue; by legalizing marijuana for medical use I'm hoping you mean that it should be used only while under medical supervision.

6. It is literally impossible to overdose on marijuana. No one has ever overdose on just taking marijuana. The amount of marijuana needed to overdose is unbelievable. I think by one estimate 150 pounds in a 15 minute period or something to that extent. *********

Again, this shouldn't be an issue if the patient is under medical supervision.

Conclusion
Marijuana is a safe and effective medicine. I not the only one who believes this. Their are countless credible groups,and research that agrees with me. In 2006 ACP the second largest physician group in the US. Suggested that the government should change marijuana schedule into a more appropriate one accounting for all of its medical value.

There are just as many, if not more, credible groups that disagree.

With the links to testicular cancer (and possibly lung cancer) as well as impaired driving, marijuana can be a very dangerous substance.

If your sick and marijuana is the best option available to you. Their is no reason why you should not get to use it. Patients have the right to use medical marijuana when deemed appropriate. Without having to worry about government harassment.

You seem to be confusing the use of marijuana for medical purposes with making marijuana legal for the public. There is a huge difference.

Again, marijuana can be a very dangerous substance. Why not just try to use the safer compounds in it (i.e. cannabidiol) instead of including ones that cause cancer and impairment?
_________________________

Sources are coming soon; I'll have to pull them up from my other debates about drugs.