Shelby Althuizen Althuizen 1

Ms.Gardner

English HON 4

4 May 2015

Capabilities of a “Deadly” Narcotic

“Prescription drugs continue to kill tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of

Americans each year; meanwhile, marijuana has never been the direct contributor to a single

death”(Dave Smith). Marijuana is used as a narcotic or hallucinogen which has the ability to

relax muscles and tissues throughout the body and increase appetite. Many suffer from fatal

diseases-- cancer and epilepsy-- which are very life-threatening by their ghastly symptoms.

Many frown upon the handling of medical marijuana; however, it posses qualities that are

competent, more so than a prescription drug. With this being said, the legalization of the

hallucinogen can assure less suffering within communities. Medical marijuana is legalized in

more than half the United States, but can only be purchased through recommendation of a

licensed medical physician. Medical marijuana usage should be legalized because of its

capability to diminish muscle pain, increased appetite, and abate seizures for many convoluted

with life-threatening illnesses.

Admittedly, marijuana usage can impair and damage bodily functions making the drug

extremely dangerous. Marijuana affects blood pressure within the body; causing muscle

movement to be delayed compared to when an individual is not altered by the narcotic. It is

thought that in very popular states such as California, “Anyone who wants to get a medical

marijuana card knows there are unscrupulous doctors who will give you a recommendation with

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few questions asked. Without doubt, medical marijuana hands a get-out-of-jail-free card to

people who just want to get high. Those who get a card and indulge in the infrequent use of

marijuana will probably experience few problems,” (David Sack) of course the problems referred

to by Sack is hinting towards different stages of substance abuse that could be effective on the

way the body alters. Even though the card could be beneficial to many health obstacles, "The

high dose of marijuana necessary to produce a clinically relevant effect," the foundation's

website explains, makes it a poor choice for the treatment of glaucoma, especially given its

‘significant side effects’ and the availability of safer effective drugs” (David Sack). Sack uses a

strong argument by justifying marijuana use; however backs up his antagonistic view of the topic

by stating that an unhealthy amount of the hallucinogen is proven to be sufficient towards

individuals. To back up these studies, the federal system classified marijuana “as a controlled

substance, categorized as having a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical

use, together with drugs like heroin, LSD and ecstasy,” (Frederic J. Frommer) which is linked to

“400,000 emergency room visits per year” (David Sack). The squandering of the drugs,

including marijuana, causes contrasting negative aspects that disturbs the understanding of

proper behavior.

Nevertheless, when one considers the medical assistance that marijuana tends to offer, it

comes to realization that the hallucinogen has the competence to numb the muscles of many

cancer patients. Patients undergoing chemotherapy-- the drug to help control and cure the

disease-- constructs sensitivity within the nerves of the body generating an infinite amount of

pain and tightness within the muscle fibers. A side effect of Chemotherapy includes

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inflammation, which could be controlled by Cannabinoids-- a substance in the marijuana.

“Cannabinoids have been studied for anti inflammatory effects that play a role in pain relief,”

(cancer.gov) which is abetted to control what the chemotherapy has caused. Although many may

argue that there are prescription drugs to cure the aches, “a second study showed that THC could

be given in doses that gave pain relief comparable to codeine,” (Jay Smoker). With the

knowledge that THC is the substance within marijuana that produces the high or hallucination, it

creates an accusation that medical marijuana has the same or greater effects for many cancer

patients that constantly deal with the discomfort. According to these recent studies, marijuana

usage benefits many patients; improving pain tolerance by consuming or smoking the hemp

plant, which shows positive results with these diseases.

Furthermore, research reveals that the handling of medical marijuana assists cancer

patients in overcoming eating complications and nausea. Nausea, not originating from the

disease itself, but coming from the treatment given to its patients, “the extreme nausea caused by

cancer chemotherapy and AIDS treatment, and even common nausea induced by standard

medications for various ailments,” (Jan) illustrates that medication too, could have negative

effects on the human body. Recent examinations lead to scientist getting a better leap into the

assistance marijuana gives the ill, leading to many debates about the controversy of legalizing

the narcotic. According to modernized studies, “Inhaled Cannabis is for the treatment of

chemotherapy- related nausea and vomiting,” (cancer.gov) which is important for the patient's

ability to live a healthy lifestyle. Many questions have arisen arguing that medication could aid

the symptoms of the chemotherapy; however, “1999 report by the Institutes of Medicine

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concluded... ‘pills are generally ineffective, because of the difficulty in swallowing or keeping a

pill down and slow onset of the drug effect’” (Jan). Influenced by these findings, scientists were

able to make an accurate claim that the “inhalation cannabinoid drug delivery system would be

advantageous for treating chemotherapy-induced nausea" (Jan). Knowledge on the effects of

THC-- patient or healthy individual-- can increase appetite. An heightened appetite is mandatory

for many cancer patients who are prone to vomiting and nausea. The importance of patients

getting and retaining the proper amount of nutrients in their daily diets is substantial to the health

of the individuals. It is essential for cancer patients to maintain a balanced diet eliminating many

sugars in order to stay in a healthy state, which could expand the life expectancy of the

individual. Obviously, research proves that marijuana could regulate a cancer patient’s diet by

increasing appetite as well as decreasing nausea and vomiting symptoms. As a result, marijuana

usage for many involved with the disease could be benefitted by the qualities of THC which let

the one’s suffering have the ability to get proper nutrition without regurgitating.

Ultimately, marijuana should be legalized because it aids individuals suffering from

epilepsy. Marijuana is known to affect the nerves in the brain through CBD substances found in

hemp plant (another word for weed/marijuana), which is able to influence the chemical activity

that sets off seizures. CBD is short for cannabidiol, which “are healing for people with seizures

disorders” (cancer.gov), this CBD is taken in by “receptors that are found throughout the brain”

(Jennifer Welsh). In order for CBD to reach the receptors the hemp plant can be liquidated in

order to incorporate the drug into food so it could be consumed instead of smoked. With the

hallucinogen altering the chemical and electrical activity within the brain, individuals that are

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prone to have a recurrence of seizures or are affected by epilepsy are able to control their

suffering by nearly eliminating the commotion of the “fits.” Results show that handling and

ingesting the substances in marijuana help control epileptic seizures by reacting with the nerves

in the brain. Therefore, marijuana helps aid epileptic patients by regulating seizures and brain

nerve activity.

In conclusion, medical marijuana handling should be legalized by virtue of its positive

affects of patients bodies. Marijuana should not be stereotyped considering the ability to curtail

many horrible symptoms of many medications used to treat the diseases. Having a less or equal

amount of cases of abuse throughout the U.S., marijuana has been proven to be more effective

than prescription pills that are highly addictive, by ebbing muscle pain, heightening appetite by

causing a decline in nausea, and to reduce the amount of epileptic “fits.” The narcotic is proven

to aid deadly illnesses by abating physical suffering. The drug has become popular by numbing

the world of the illnesses, not only literally, but metaphorically too. The hallucinogen silences

the awareness of the deadly diseases by curing the catastrophic disturbance of physical health.

Marijuana is able to control the adversity of the majority of the sicknesses that have

contaminated the world.

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Works Cited

"Cannabis and Cannabinoids." National Cancer Institute. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2015.

Frommer, Frederic J. "Court Rejects Bid to Have Marijuana Reclassified." Roanoke Times &

World-News. 22 Jan. 2013: n.p. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 10 Apr.

2015.

Loria, Jennifer Welsh and Kevin. "23 Health Benefits Of Marijuana." Business Insider.

Business Insider, Inc, 20 Apr. 2014. Web. 12 May 2015.

"'Medical' Marijuana: 10 Health Benefits That Legitimize Legalization." International Business

Times. N.p., 08 Aug. 2012. Web. 12 May 2015.

Sack, David. "Is Marijuana Good Medicine?." Los Angeles Times. 26 Jul. 2012: A.23. SIRS

Issues Researcher. Web. 10 Apr. 2015.

Smoker, Jay. "Does Marijuana Help Epilepsy?" The Weed Blog. N.p., 21 May 2011. Web.

12 May 2015.