ipl-logo

Persuasive Essay On Medical Marijuana

991 Words4 Pages

Medical Marijuana: An Alternative Option
In today’s society, the legalization of marijuana is a topic of an unsettling discussion. For over decades, marijuana users have been fighting for making this drug as legal as other commonly used substances, like alcohol or tobacco. Yet, the history of marijuana goes way beyond these fights. One of the earliest mentions of the usage of marijuana dates back in 2700 BC in Asia, where, according to a legend, the father of the Chinese medicine himself, the emperor Shen Nung, found out about the healing properties of the plant. Over the next two thousand years, the mentions of Cannabis are found in the cultures of Egyptians, Indians, Greeks and even the Holy book of Christians, the Bible. In the last 400 …show more content…

This is the opinion of Dr. Robert L. DuPont, President of the Institute for Behavior and Health, who implies that the users of marijuana consume more legal and illegal drugs than the people who do not use marijuana and it is easier for them to transition to other drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine as they are more likely to become addicted to them than non-users of cannabis (DuPont). However, Dr. Ethan Nadelmann, Executive Director of Drug Policy Alliance, debunks DuPont’s statement in several points. It is ignorant to consider marijuana as a “gateway drug” as most people tend to use alcohol and tobacco first, both addictive substances. Nadelmann cites National Academy of Science’ Institute of Medicine that says “there is no conclusive evidence that the drug effects of marijuana are causally linked to the subsequent abuse of other illicit drugs. Nadelmann gives a suitable example of Netherlands where marijuana has been to some extant legal for years and the overall use is actually less dominant than in the US. Not only that, the users are less prominent to use other drugs as well. This is due to dividing the “soft drug” from the “hard drug” markets. Perhaps the biggest evidence is the decrease of death caused by overdose of heroin and other opioids as medical marijuana becomes an option in more states in the US

Show More
Related
121 Words | 1 Pages

The term "gateway drug" has been long disputed around the nation. Personally I believe there is such thing as a gateway drug. Many people, especially teenagers are exposed to marijuana. Since it is the most used illicit drug, it is often readily available. This makes it easier for people to try it.

Read More
649 Words | 3 Pages

The opposition’s final argument against medical marijuana is that marijuana is a gateway drug. Although marijuana itself is not a gateway drug, it may be associated with other drugs because of individuals who abuse drugs in general. There is no evidence that proves marijuana a gateway drug. However, scientists believe the addictive nature of individual drug users is caused by that user 's environment and personality (MIRIAM BOERI). Many people may choose marijuana first because of the short lasting effects.

Read More
991 Words | 4 Pages

Medical Marijuana." JSTOR [JSTOR]. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Dec. 2015. Dresser, Rebecca. "

Read More
744 Words | 3 Pages

For more than 3500 years, Marijuana has been widely used to treat the ill. The diversity

Read More
1432 Words | 6 Pages

Which research shows is completely false. “Advocates of marijuana prohibition claim that even if marijuana itself causes minimal harm, it is a dangerous substance because it leads to the use of "harder drugs" such as heroin, LSD, and cocaine. The facts, most users of heroin, LSD and cocaine have used marijuana. However, most marijuana users never use another illegal drug” (Morgan and Zimmer). It is also said that “Other drugs that are currently legal, such as alcohol, tobacco, and prescription drugs, have significant negative public health effects: Approximately 80,000 people a year die related to excessive alcohol use.

Read More
697 Words | 3 Pages

Although marijuana has been used for centuries for medical purposes in a wide range of cultures, it’s recreational use in the U.S. dates back to the escaping

Read More
916 Words | 4 Pages

Marijuana is one of the most commonly used illicit drugs throughout the United States with roughly around 22.2 million users. Only 8 states have legalized marijuana for recreational use and a handful of states have legalized medical use of the drug. The research that has been conducted proves that legalization of marijuana may lead to a more rich and flourishing economy, fewer people being locked up in confinement, Better access to a safe and effective medicine and a more robust functioning society. Today , marijuana is one of the most controversial topics with about 40% of adults and politicians still not comfortable with the concept of marijuana being legal for recreational and medicinal use. Marijuana has medicinal properties that greatly

Read More
1925 Words | 8 Pages

Medical marijuana has been acknowledged as a medicine since 1000 B.C. according to ancient Indian literature. It was later introduced to Western medicine where Dr. William B. O’Shaughnessy recommended medical marijuana for the treatment of epilepsy. In 1841, Dr. O’Shaughnessy stated “In cannabis, the medical profession has gained an anti-convulsive remedy of the greatest value” (O’shaughnessy,

Read More
1756 Words | 8 Pages

In the 1800’s cannabis extracts were sold in pharmacies and doctors’ offices because a doctor in India found that marijuana can help relieve stomach pain and vomiting (History, 2017). Marijuana can also be used for chronic pain, neuropathic pain, and spasticity according to Hill (2015). Three hundred and ninety-six patients went through six trials with neuropathic pain and sixteen hundred patients that went through twelve trials on multiple sclerosis, both having a positive outcome, therefore showing that marijuana may be used for medical purposes. Dr. G.o. Ayenigbara (2012) said that “cannabis has a long history of use for medical and health purposes” and that “apart from recreational purposes, cannabis… is useful for the treatment of some chronic diseases which defied medical cure such as HIV/AIDS, Cancer, Asthma etc.”

Read More
571 Words | 3 Pages

Without a single joint lit, the cannabis plant features many benefits and revenues as well. Throughout time and history many cultures have utilized the cannabis plant for necessities such as shelter, clothing, food and medicine. Covered pioneer wagons were made of cannabis fibers when the

Read More
876 Words | 4 Pages

Legalize Marijuana? The Chinese Emperor Fu Hsi (ca. 2900 BC), whom the Chinese credit with bringing civilization to China, seems to have made reference to Ma, the Chinese word for Cannabis, noting that Cannabis was a very popular medicine that possessed both yin and yang. In ancient Greece, Marijuana was used as a remedy for ear aches, edema, and inflammation. During the middle ages, Marijuana was in almost every herbalists medicine cabinet (according to ProCon.org). Marijuana played a huge role in early medicine.

Read More
1847 Words | 8 Pages

In a large survey published in 1994 epidemiologist James Anthony, then at the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and his colleagues have asked more than 8000 people between between the ages of 15-64 about their utilization of marijuana and other drugs. The researchers confirmed that “those of who had tried marijuana at least once, about 9% eventually fit a cannabis dependence. The corresponding figure for alcohol was 15%; for cocaine, 17%; for heroin, 23%; and for nicotine, 32%” (Arkowitz & Lilienfeld). Additionally, some opposers have been consistent with the notion of marijuana being a “gateway drug”,  however according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse “the majority of people who use marijuana do not go on to use other, ‘harder substances’” (NIDA). While 111 million Americans have attempted marijuana, only a third try cocaine and 4% heroin.

Read More
1461 Words | 6 Pages

Marijuana, formerly known as Cannabis, has been looked at in a medical sense for centuries. Marijuana was seen as a household drug throughout the seventeenth to the early twentieth century as a remedy to reduce nausea or vomiting, headaches, an anti-inflammatory, and the choice of pain reliever. In the 1920s, the Eighteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution outlawed the manufacture and sale of alcohol, also known as Prohibition. As a result, marijuana flourished as a psychoactive drug.

Read More
1455 Words | 6 Pages

The history of marijuana as well as the information and studies drawn and discussed in this essay show that marijuana legalization for medical and/or recreational purposes will not only positively impact society, but also change the society’s idea of marijuana use as a deviant act. Deviant behavior negatively impacts society, therefore the idea that marijuana use is a positive impact for society will, in turn, change the idea that marijuana use is an act/form of

Read More
929 Words | 4 Pages

Marijuana, also known as Cannabis, is derived from the Cannabis plant and is used commonly for either recreational or medical purposes. Marijuana is composed of chemicals such as tetrahydrocannabinol (HTC, and over eighty cannabinoids. Marijuana is acknowledged for providing smokers with a “high” feeling. Since the twentieth century, this illicit drug has been banned across the world. However, over the past few years studies have been conducted on marijuana and the results show that it can actually be helpful in many different areas of society.

Read More

More about Persuasive Essay On Medical Marijuana

Related Topics

Open Document