The Federal Legalization of Medical Cannabis

Although many historical, cultural and political stigmas associated with cannabis usage in the United States have existed for almost one hundred years there is evidence of the plant’s global presence dating back thousands of years due to its medicinal, spiritual and psychoactive health benefits. Despite the negative press, myths, and politically-driven objections medical cannabis should be legal because of the how it helps cancer and epilepsy patients as well as producing less invasive pain management options.The Federal Legalization of Medical Cannabis

The Federal prohibition of cannabis in the United States has existed for nearly a century many nations around the world have continued to research the potential medical properties “weed” offers in-turn revolutionizing how the international medical community approach pain management that pain care most-notably Israel serving as global leader in medical cannabis research and production for over a half-century (Cashin, 2018).  Furthermore, Canada and the Netherlands have joined with Israel as the only three countries co-sponsoring an international medical cannabis program. Israel was the first global power to legalize medical cannabis in the 1960s and continues to challenge the plant’s social-stigmas as well as lead the research revolution currently piloting over one hundred medical studies in our Savior’s birthplace (Cashin, 2018). In turn, the Netherlands struggle to improve the acceptance of medicinal cannabis, promote knowledge and increase awareness of medical cannabis (Cashin, 2018).

Perhaps one of the most known cannabis studies is the research to curtail the nausea and related side-effects associated with radiation treatments and the plethora of toxic prescription drugs designed to fight the disease. I have personally witnessed a close friend battling cancer provide emotional testimony concerning the small miracle with coping with the post-operative pain associated with the removal of part of his colon earlier this year. My friend has also smoked, vaped and consumed edibles to manage the negative effects of numerous drug prescriptions ironically necessary to keep him alive. The tone of his testimony turns soft with misty eyes while expressing gratitude for the relief cannabis has given during his battle.

Many people living with cancer experience side effects during chemotherapy. For example, nausea and vomiting. A few studies have explored the therapeutic benefits of medical cannabis for pain management as well as relief from the nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite associated with treatment-related side-effects (Zaki, et al., 2017). As a result, studies show that cannabis can be an effective tool for medical use, against the symptoms of nausea and vomiting. Also, there are other drugs used to eliminate these unpleasant feelings. After each treatment session, the desire to vomit often does not subside over the course of hours, days, or even weeks of nausea. Vomiting can be so severe that patients risk breaking bones or damaging the esophagus. One’s inability to control his or her condition leads to emotional waste. In addition, many patients eat almost nothing, because they absolutely cannot stand the smell or type of food. It becomes increasingly difficult for them to maintain the will to live as they lose their strength and body weight. They refuse to continue treatment, not only because of physical suffering, but also because they do not want to lose control over their own lives. However, there is evidence that medical cannabis is an effective treatment for some conditions such as anxiety, fibromyalgia and P.T.S.D.  (Zaki, et al., 2017). The cannabis helps lower one’s negative attitude, which allows for positive feelings and thoughts to arise.The Federal Legalization of Medical Cannabis

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With each subsequent treatment session, patients are more and more nervous. Some of them develop a conditioned reaction, due to which vomiting begins as soon as they enter the treatment room or even on the way to the hospital. There are several people whose vomiting began if they met someone from the treatment room staff on the street. If nausea and vomiting are not controlled, the patient’s condition may force the doctor to reduce the dose of the drug, putting the effectiveness of the treatment at risk. Many patients believe that the side effects of chemotherapy are harder than the cancer itself. Sometimes patients insist on interrupting therapy, knowing that this means inevitable death. For patients who could be cured, if they did not interrupt the course, nausea and vomiting should be considered to be a potentially lethal form of intoxication.

Anticonvulsant drugs help control some types of epilepsy, but some forms of epilepsy do not respond to these drugs. These drugs have serious side effects, including softening of the bones, swelling of the gums, reduction in the production of red blood cells and emotional instability. In addition, anticonvulsant drugs completely stop seizures in only 60% of patients with epilepsy. Since the nineteenth century, cannabis research has been conducted to combat cramps. Many patients with epilepsy believe that medical marijuana is an effective therapy for treating epilepsy and is actively using it. Many patient reviews, as well as specific studies, point to medical marijuana’s help in controlling seizures. Some patients claim that they may refuse prescription drugs and remain seizure free if they regularly use medical cannabis. Cannabidiol (CBD) is non-psychoactive cannabinoid marijuana. CBD has a positive effect on some epilepsy patients who drink it to avoid seizure activities. For epilepsy patients who do not tolerate or do not receive their anti-epileptic drugs, medical cannabis may be a good alternative. Patients can successfully control their seizures without experiencing debilitating side effects. In fact, “beneficial effects of CBD in children with epilepsy syndromes include improved sleep, alertness, and mood, as well as an increased appetite” (Hill & Palastro, 2017, p. 2).The Federal Legalization of Medical Cannabis

In addition, cannabis is essential when it comes to invasive homeopathic remedies for pain management. Studies investigated the potential benefits of medical cannabis of easing the effects of chronic pain, severe muscle spasticity as well as bi-polar disorder (Fares, 2018). As a matter of fact, Cannabis Indica began to be prescribed much more often because of its popularity as a means of rehabilitation therapy, which created its own type of miasm. Positive results were found for cancer patients experiencing the ill effects of chemotherapy as well as analgesic effects.

The abundance of both alcohol and cannabis use associated with car crashes has led to a wide spread of various researches on the link between the two. In fact, a huge number of experimental studies have observed the relationship between cannabis use and psychomotor functions. Some changes in cognitive functions may influence one’s driving ability. Findings clearly demonstrate a significant negative impact on some several cognitive functions associated with driving: 1) temporal distortion; 2) reduced motor coordination; 3) reduced motor coordination, etc. (Capler, Bilsker, Van Pelt, & MacPherson, 2017).

Although marijuana is considered to be a light drug, sooner or later every smoker faces such problems as psychological dependence on smoking herbs. Self-quitting a habit is not so easy, and as a result, an individual becomes addictive to drug abuse. As a result of constant smoking of grass or its synthetic analogues, the smoker turns into a hostage of addiction for many years. Moreover, if physical dependence can be overcome with the help of special medication therapy, the treatment of psychological dependence is associated with certain difficulties. Even qualified specialists cannot always rid the person of cannabis dependence completely: psychological addiction can subside for several months or even years, but comes back as a result of stresses, memories or a return to typical patterns of behavior.The Federal Legalization of Medical Cannabis

The acquisition of cannabis, that is, the product, the sale and distribution of which is prohibited by law, puts the addict in the position of a person who violates this law. This unlawful situation is dangerous in itself, not to mention how often it is an indicator of erroneous and reactionary trends in the modern world or a sign of personal illness. Cannabis use is interdependent with criminal behavior. Although a smoker of marijuana, at first glance, seems to be calm and closed, due to emotional imbalance, even a minor one, an ordinary occurrence can cause a reaction in the form of violence.

Despite the fact that medical cannabis has been used for its psychotropic properties around the world in countries such as China, India for thousands of years (Zaki, et al., 2017), some official authorities did not promote the legalization of medical cannabis. For instance, former President Jimmy Carter did not support legalization and even discouraged Americans from smoking cannabis. According to Carter, “marijuana continues to be an emotional and controversial issue. After four decades, efforts to discourage its use with stringent laws have still not been successful. …Nowhere is this more clear than in the laws against possession of marijuana in private for personal use” (Puschak, 2012, para. 5).

Thus, taking the above-mentioned information into consideration, it is possible to say that in the second half of the 90s the issue of legalizing marijuana in the United States took on a rather acute character. Dozens of public organizations, doctors, their patients began to conduct an active campaign in this direction. True, the sale and sale of “weed” was openly allowed only by the most radical elements, nodding at the experience of Europeans, in particular, first of all, in the Netherlands, where citizens were allowed to carry small amounts of marijuana for personal purposes. Despite the negative press and myths concerning this issue, medical cannabis should be legal because of the fact that it helps cancer and epilepsy patients as well as produce less invasive pain management options.

References

Capler, R., Bilsker, D., Van Pelt, K., & MacPherson, D. (2017). “Cannabis Use and Driving: Evidence Review”. Canadian Drug Policy Coalition, March 27, 2017. Retrieved from: https://drugpolicy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/CDPC_Cannabis-and-Driving_Evidence-Review_FINALV2_March27-2017.pdf

Cashin, S. (2018). “The six most advanced countries for marijuana research”. High Times, April 18, 2018. Retrieved from: https://hightimes.com/news/world/most-advanced countries-marijuana-research/6/The Federal Legalization of Medical Cannabis