In recent years the number of medical marijuana dispensaries present throughout the country has exploded. This rapid growth has seemed to sharpen the divide between supporters of medical marijuana and those strongly against the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. In an opinion piece from the academic journal Nature entitled “Gathering the Evidence on Medical Marijuana”, the author argues that because marijuana provides relief too many sufferers of chronic conditions, marijuana should be investigated by pharmacological methods in order to determine efficacy. In contrast, Charles Lane of the Washington Post argues in his opinion piece entitled “Medical Marijuana is an Insult to our Intelligence”, that medical marijuana is nothing else but an excuse for recreational users to obtain marijuana legally. Within these two articles we are shown the reasoning behind supporters and opponents of medical marijuana, giving us a greater understanding of the two opposing sides within this controversial topic.
In “Gathering the Evidence on Medical Marijuana” the author’s initial argument focuses on the relief that marijuana provides to many sufferers of chronic illnesses. The author states that many cancer and AIDS patients claim marijuana helps them control their nausea and vomiting, relieves pain that is resistant to morphine, increases appetite and elevates their mood. According to the article, Multiple Sclerosis patients have even found relief to muscle spasms through treatments involving marijuana. The author claims that the federal government’s classification of marijuana as a schedule one narcotic has hindered research that could potentially solidify these attributes as medical fact. The author concludes by saying that marijuana should be investigated by pharmacological methods, as it may be a genuinely unique drug for several chronic conditions, including spastic cramps and neurogenic pain.
Charles Lane expresses his contrasting opinions in the Washington Post. Although Lane believes that those patients suffering from AIDS and cancer, who find some relief in marijuana, should continue their treatment; he strongly disagrees with anyone who claims that marijuana has any therapeutic qualities. Lane argues that any legitimate drug undergoes testing by the Food and Drug Administration, in order to determine safety and efficacy. He connects this point to the fact that the marijuana for sale in dispensaries is not subject to any of the purity controls that other pharmacological drugs must meet. Lane is also astounded at the ease at which individuals are able to buy marijuana from dispensaries; all one needs is a written or oral recommendation from a physician. Lane’s anger over this topic seems to be centered around those individuals who use marijuana as a supplement to conventional treatments for treating non-life-threatening conditions.
Personally I tend to agree with the author of “Gathering the Evidence on Medical Marijuana”. In today’s medical world there are several drugs in use that are refined from plants, including morphine and codeine. If marijuana is determined to have some medical significance, through pharmacological testing, than smoking the natural substance will also be replaced with some refined product.
Charles Lane expresses his contrasting opinions in the Washington Post. Although Lane believes that those patients suffering from AIDS and cancer, who find some relief in marijuana, should continue their treatment; he strongly disagrees with anyone who claims that marijuana has any therapeutic qualities. Lane argues that any legitimate drug undergoes testing by the Food and Drug Administration, in order to determine safety and efficacy. He connects this point to the fact that the marijuana for sale in dispensaries is not subject to any of the purity controls that other pharmacological drugs must meet. Lane is also astounded at the ease at which individuals are able to buy marijuana from dispensaries; all one needs is a written or oral recommendation from a physician. Lane’s anger over this topic seems to be centered around those individuals who use marijuana as a supplement to conventional treatments for treating non-life-threatening conditions.
Personally I tend to agree with the author of “Gathering the Evidence on Medical Marijuana”. In today’s medical world there are several drugs in use that are refined from plants, including morphine and codeine. If marijuana is determined to have some medical significance, through pharmacological testing, than smoking the natural substance will also be replaced with some refined product.
No comments:
Post a Comment