Should Medical Marijuana be Legal in America? ? Health & Fitness

This question is whether medical cannabis, also known as medical marijuana and its constituent cannabinoids such as THC be used as a physician-recommended form of medicine or herbal therapy.

Some interesting background for this question involves the knowledge that cannabis has a long history of medicinal use, going back at least as far as 2,737 B.C. Medical marijuana?s historical use is a factor which should not be disregarded.

Most governments around the world, including the federal government here in America, are against investigating medical marijuana even though its beneficial effects have been well documented.

Despite a relative lack of clinical research, some of marijuana?s known benefits are * It eases nausea and vomiting, two well-known side effects that cancer patients typically suffer during chemotherapy. * Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and patients suffering from AIDS often have suppressed appetites. Medical marijuana stimulates the appetite, which can be extremely important for these patients. * It?s a proven therapy for treating glaucoma because it lowers the intraocular eye pressure. * It has also been shown to be effective during the treatment of certain gastrointestinal illnesses.

In most nations, recreational use of cannabis is illegal. However, some countries have decriminalized medical marijuana, so people there who use marijuana therapeutically under the guidance of a physician don?t need to be concerned about legal prosecution.

When it comes to its use as medical marijuana a number of countries have chosen to legalize it. Those countries include Canada, Austria, Germany, Spain, Israel, Italy, Finland and Portugal.

In the United States however it is still considered an illegal substance and possession and use of it deemed to be a federal offense, even as a medicinal treatment.

Four Reasons it Might be Appropriate to Legalize Medical Marijuana

1. As a naturally occurring herb marijuana has been used as a herbal medicine for thousands of years. It is ironic that in today?s world when people are so focused on all things natural and organic something naturally occurring like marijuana should be considered less safe for users than synthetic drugs with known side-effects, some of which can be extremely alarming, especially if taken over time.

2. According to several studies featured in the IOM report, marijuana has strong potential for providing therapeutic effects. These studies report that medical marijuana is an analgesic which can help alleviate pain. THC, one of the components of marijuana, has itself been seen to relieve chronic pain suffered by cancer patients.

3. Many researchers are convinced that people suffering from certain diseases such as multiple sclerosis can benefit from medical marijuana treatments.

4. One of the major components of marijuana is Cannobidiol which has proven to have antipsychotic, anti-cancer and antioxidant properties.

Despite the foregoing, it?s important to realize that only a few clinical studies have investigated the medical efficacy of marijuana, primarily due to lack of funding and strict regulations. Most pharmaceutical companies are reluctant to invest in studying the therapeutic benefits of marijuana.

What is known and cannot be denied is that there is clear evidence that cannabis and its components are effective in the treatment of various health issues.

More research is needed so people can benefit from medical marijuana without worrying about criminal prosecution.

If you have a debilitating medical condition and are considering medicinal marijuana, check out the state?s premier AZ Medical Marijuana Certification Center. Call TODAY toll free at (855) AZ-IDCARD for info on an AZ Medical Marijuana Card.

Source: http://health.blogmeout.net/2011/08/should-medical-marijuana-be-legal-in-america/

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