MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Medical Use Of Marijuana



Medical Use Of Marijuana

Introduction

Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug in the USA. Many advocates consider marijuana a harmless, or even beneficial, substance that should be made legal. Among the arguments for legalizing marijuana is its purported value in treating symptoms of serious diseases, including glaucoma, AIDS, chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and cancer. Several states have ratified laws authorizing use of marijuana for medical reasons, and legalization has strong public support. Nevertheless, some medical practitioners and lawmakers continue to argue against legalization. (Wayne, 2007)

An issue that is similar to the use of alternative and complementary therapies is the medicinal use of marijuana. Currently, 12 states have passed legislative guidelines for the legal possession of medical marijuana, though any possession of marijuana remains illegal under federal law. Other states are contemplating such formal legislative action and may soon have such guidelines. California, one of the first states to pass such guidelines, essentially created an exemption from criminal penalties for the medical use of this plant. Basically, the legislation did not legalize marijuana, but merely changed the way medical patients and their primary caregivers would be treated by the state court system. If charged with marijuana possession, patients can claim entitlement to an exemption from the law. The burden of proof is on the patient to show his/her medical need for marijuana use and to show that the drug was used on the recommendation of a prescribing physician.

Thesis Statement

Medical marijuana should not be legalized.

Discussion

The majority of the patients for whom this medication is approved suffer from cancer, AIDS, or glaucoma. Positive effects of marijuana in these patients include reduction in nausea, increased appetite, reduced eye pressure, and control of muscle spasms. Note, though, that merely having one of these illnesses is not sufficient; a physician must recommend the use of marijuana for these patients. There is also a pill form of the chemical available under the trade name Marinol. Currently, Marinol is used only for patients with cancer and AIDS; its use is restricted by the high cost of the medication and the inability to control the dosage so that there are fewer side effects. (Alan, 2000)

Presently, physicians are not permitted to prescribe or even recommend use of marijuana for medical functions under the FCSA (Federal Controlled Substances Act). The most recent court action in this area of the law involves the companion cases of Raich v. Ascroft and Ashroft v. Raich. Issues for nurses in this arena are numerous. Nurses are patient advocates, working to assist patients toward as healthy a state as is possible for the individual patient. Nurses are also educators, helping patients to understand the positive and negative effects of medications so that the patient can make an informed decision about using the medications. With marijuana, this is even more important, as patients must realize that the consumption of marijuana violates federal law at present. Nurses must be true to themselves and their own ethical principles and decide ...