Anthony Frizzell Mrs. Hamm English lV 25 January 2018 Medical Marijuana For generations, the argument to legalize marijuana for medical use has been brought forward. However, the shaky foundation of the pro marijuana argument is no match for the concrete evidence opposing medical marijuana. There are extensive physical and mental health effects. In addition, medical marijuana is not a proven effective treatment. It is clear that marijuana is not a healthy, safe, or effective treatment for health issues. Not only does marijuana have severe long term effects, but it also drastically affects a person in the short term as well. A few examples of this are: temporary memory loss, lack of concentration, changes in mood, altered perception of time, …show more content…
In fact, marijuana is not an effective treatment. It is not approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). One contributing factor is that marijuana is not predictable; it is difficult to deliver accurate doses of marijuana (What's Wrong With "Medical Marijuana"). Users have seen a lack of results from medical marijuana, as well. “Up to 80% of people who request medical marijuana want to ease pain, while more than a third cite PTSD as their primary reason” (Young, Saundra). However, studies show a troubling lack of evidence that marijuana is effective in treating either issue (Young, Saundra). In addition to a lack of proven effectiveness for medical marijuana, there are other medications that are proven effective. “For nearly all conditions for which marijuana has purported benefits, we already have existing medications - safe medications - demonstrated to have value” (Top 10 Pro & Con Arguments). One example is treatment for glaucoma. Medical marijuana supporters have long used this eye disease as the foremost reason to legalize medical marijuana. However, Glaucoma can be treated more effectively by eye drop medication, laser treatment, or surgery. On the other hand, marijuana is ineffective for several reasons. First, the effect only lasts 3-4 hours, so it must be used 6-8 times per day in order to treat glaucoma. Second, it “prevents the patient who is using from driving, operating heavy machinery, and functioning at maximum mental capacity”(“Should You Be Smoking Marijuana To Treat Your Glaucoma?”). Finally, treating glaucoma with marijuana can be harmful. “Although marijuana does lower the eye pressure, it also lowers blood pressure. Lower blood pressure could result in reduced blood supply to the optic nerve, which in turn might harm the optic nerve. Therefore it is possible that even though marijuana does lower the eye pressure, its use could conceivably