The Controversy Over Marijuana Use

The legalization of marijuana has been a debated subject in America since the 1970's. The pro-marijuana society in America has made claims as to how marijuana can help cure or lessen the effect of some diseases and that by legalizing the drug; the use of pot will actually decline. The fact of the matter is that marijuana is a drug that can be placed into a similar category as cocaine or heroine. Like these other drugs, pot (marijuana) smoking carries with it serious side effects that can effect the user forever, and sometimes-even cause death. Marijuana was first cultivated in America during the colonial time period and was used as a fiber for rope and even clothing. The plant was not used for its psychoactive properties until 1910,

Marijuana has been a highly controversial topic in our society for several years with the main controversy being over whether marijuana should be legalized or not. Branching off of the idea of legalization comes this idea of marijuana being used for a medical purpose. Marijuana has proved to benefit medically in multiple different ways physically and mentally. Despite the knowledge of relief marijuana could provide there are still massive amounts of controversy circulating the idea of legalization for medical purposes.

This article discusses the actual controversy of marijuana uses, for both recreational and medical purposes. McCarthy emphasizes on the opinion of different optometrists, who are concern because patients are being asking questions related to marijuana uses and glaucoma, whether it is beneficial or not to treat such disease. However, the American Academy of Ophthalmology does not have a scientific evidence of marijuana effectiveness to treat glaucoma. In the 1970s different studies were conducted, showing that marijuana could lower intraocular pressure. Nonetheless, doctors do not back these studies, because medicinal marijuana can also make a weak intraocular pressure, and even harm the nerve. As a result, he states that marijuana is an ineffective

The legalization of marijuana has gotten to be a very controversial topic over the last few years with many valid arguments for both for and against marijuana. Use of marijuana dates all the way back to 2727 B.C. where it was used by the Chinese Emperor Shen Nung. By 1515 marijuana spread to the west where it was used for its use as fiber. “... made into things such as paper, rope, and clothing” (DEA Museum). Hemp was even encouraged to be grown by the US government. “... marijuana became a popular ingredient in many medicinal products and was sold openly in public pharmacies” (PBS). In the United States people began to fear marijuana along with Mexicans after the Mexican Revolution of 1910. The reason for this is that Mexicans initially introduced the recreational use of marijuana in the United States. Anti- drug propaganda warned American people about the dangers of Mexicans and their “Marijuana leaf” (PBS). It officially became illegal in 1937 following the Marijuana Tax Act. Which made marijuana a schedule 1 drug along with meth and heroin. This is simply crazy because when you look at meth users and compare them to marijuana users you can see the vast differences and the reasons why marijuana does not fit in this category. Even with its large variety of uses and low addiction rate, marijuana is still a schedule 1 drug along with way more disastrous drugs such as heroin. The reason for this is simply because of the War on Drugs which spends more than 12 billion dollars

Does it really come to morality after all? The decision to legalize marijuana has been subject for debate since first introduced in 1969; many arguing the fact that we are sitting on an industry worth an estimated 113 billion dollars. For once we have an opportunity to make a real impact in our economy. We have an aid on “the war on drugs”. But are we then showing our children that legalizing drugs is really the answer to our problems or does only the big picture mater in the end? Will this bring for a stronger, richer nation or will this bring us down to our knees.

Many Americans struggle with the idea of legalizing marijuana.. Does legalizing marijuana, for medical purposes, help people suppress the symptoms of depression and anxiety? Research shows us many different ways that medical marijuana helps people who struggle with depression and anxiety. For depression, it suppresses their symptoms. It also lifts their moods. For anxiety it helps push away the worriness and the stress of things they cannot control.

“The illegality of cannabis is outrageous, an impediment to full utilization of a drug which helps produce the serenity and insight, sensitivity and fellowship so desperately needed in this increasingly mad and dangerous world.” This was said by one of the most famous scientists in the United States known as Carl Sagan. Marijuana has been one of the most debated topics in the media today, and numerous years before. Altogether, this debate has raised many questions, yet with very few answers of whether the legalization of marijuana should be passed, and expressed throughout the nation as a whole. The fight for legalizing marijuana has embraced itself to see success. The legalization of marijuana is essential in society today for three reasons: failed prohibition does not work, profitable agricultural uses, and its imperative role in medicine.

To begin with, lets see the history of marijuana. In 2737 BC, it had been scripted that a Chinese emperor Shen Nung used weed to help him with his spacing out (“20 medical benefits of marijuana you probably, never knew”). Then, from the 1850’s to the 1930’s marijuana started to grow famous, as the intake became bigger overtime the Controlled Act of 1970 started (“20 medical benefits of marijuana you probably, never knew”). In 1999, a US government sponsor

Nowadays, marijuana has become a very prominent and controversial issue in our society. This type of drug, commonly used by people for “medicinal, recreational and spiritual use”, gives rise to disputes and heated discussions toward its legislation process. Some people, like Ethan A. Nadelmann, strongly support the legalization of Marijuana because of its medical use, According to his recent article Support: AN END TO Marijuana Prohibition, it is proved that Marijuana is often the only medicine that relieves nausea in cancer and AIDS patients without any debilitating side effect. Nadelmann points out that marijuana prohibition is totally a failure because of the easier accessibility for teenagers. He also

There are sundry factors that are to be considered in the licit marijuana debate, though one of the most vigorous and most analyzed will be medicinal marijuana. The medical utilization of marijuana has proven to be a consequential factor in the debate for licit marijuana, though there are additionally vigorous arguments against it. Those that are for licit marijuana will often state the fact that marijuana is relatively innocuous when compared to other substances that are currently licit, namely tobacco and alcohol. When compared to chronic abuse of these other two substances, marijuana will prove to be much less detrimental to one's health. Furthermore, it has withal proven that medical marijuana has proven propitious as a therapeutic option

Marijuana is a drug that has been used for thousands of years. Marijuana was used in ancient China, as far back as 5000 B.C. The Incan's and Mayan's used marijuana in religious ceremonies. Marijuana also has roots in this country. The Indians of the plains used marijuana in their peace pipes as a sign of friendship and peace. After prohibition there was a sharp rise in the use of this drug in America, but after prohibition was repealed the use went down. In the 1920's and 30's the use of marijuana was primarily by the minorities. In the 1930's it was common belief that minorities where inhumane and violent, and people believed that marijuana was part of the cause. Then in 1937 marijuana was declared illegal. This

LeAnne, great post! I am particularly drawn to the focus of the shift of healthcare. There are many issues which seem to be coming to the forefront, especially gay rights, marijuana legalization, and woman. In concerns to the gay plight, healthcare may shift to accommodate the needs of Trans gendered individuals. As it stands, transitional costs are not covered by a majority of insurances. This is leading to street hormones, enhancements, and surgeries. This puts many lives in danger and has the potential to destroy their quality of life.

The Federal Government of the United States doesn't condone the use of marijuana and any schedule I drugs at the present time, which is any substance that has no current medical use and is a mind altering drug. Under new circumstances in California and Arizona, there is a temporary Bill that has been passed legalizing the schedule I drug for medical use, known as Act 215: Medical use limited to cancer patients and individuals with the disease glaucoma. Individuals that are of consequence are punishable by law and the severity level of punishment is increased from using, to growing, and intent to distribute. Controversy has erupted from the legalization of marijuana for its potential medical, industrial, economic,

The medical use of marijuana has been a discussion that has been in the news and all around us recently. This is currently a hot topic of interest. There is an enormous amount of evidence that marijuana could be effect against many things. For example evidence shows it could be used to help relieve pain during chemotherapy, but along with this there is also evidence that at times marijuana can cause harm to someone as well. As nurses we must see each side of the debate to make our care for our patients sounder. One quote that directly applies to this topic, which is very important, was written in the Journal of Clinical Nursing:

Before I can tell you about the recent news about Marijuana, and its huge debacle in the United States today. First let me give you the history of this infamous plant. According to a Frontline article about the history of marijuana in the United States, it was introduced to the United States as far back as the 1600’s. American production of hemp was encouraged by the government in the 17th century for the use of rope, sails, and clothing. It wasn’t something that was known to be used as recreational until the early 1900’s, when Mexican immigrants introduced its alternate uses. The Great Depression of the 1930’s hit and that’s when the fear of marijuana set in because of massive unemployment, it increased public resentment and fear of Mexican immigrants, escalating public and governmental concern about the problem of marijuana. This caused a wave of research to be completed, which linked the use of marijuana with violence, crime and other socially deviant behaviors, primarily committed by "racially inferior" or underclass communities. By 1931, 29 states had outlawed marijuana.