Seth Andrew J. Salih December 4, 2012

ENGLCOM WC NO5B Argumentative Essay (Final Draft)

Marijuana, Good for your Health?

A Playboy cartoon once depicted an ordinary couple with their college-age son in front. The

words are shown in front: “Dear, your father and I would like some pot”. Just like the couple,

millions of Americans would like to obtain the so-called “pot” or marijuana. Marijuana, unlike the

popular myths today, it is not what it is thought to be.

Marijuana, like any myth, has its true properties, facts, and history concealed by a mass of

misconceptions, misrepresentations, and misunderstandings. Solomon (1966) says marijuana, or

Cannabis sativa, is a plant cultivated for its flowering tops and leaves. Also called hemp, it is a source

of rope, fibers, birdseed, and medicinal products. In fact, the Philippines once provided the US with

rope from this plant before the Japanese cut the supply line. In the year of 1937, however, marijuana

was banned as the people misused it.

When people hear the word marijuana, they think of drugs, addicts, and ruined lives.

However, marijuana has its buried good side. Marijuana has long been used to treat a number of

sicknesses affiliated with pain. Most of these diseases are those that either make people suffer or

make them terminally ill. Examples are glaucoma, arthritis, and cancer. Aside from medical benefits,

the plant is also shrouded by psychological myths. Marijuana is not highly addictive, unlike what the

popular belief says. Marijuana users do not come from the hardened criminal class and there is no

direct relationship between the committed crimes and marijuana use. Similarly, marijuana does not

alter the basic structure of an individual’s personality (Solomon, 1966).

Marijuana can be used as a medical drug. Its medicinal benefits far outweigh the risks. Stone

(2011) states that cannabis can treat diseases like glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and nausea.

Even in cancer therapy, where the health of the patient is critical, marijuana is used as a therapy for

the disease’s symptoms. In glaucoma, numerous studies involving the use of marijuana lowered the

intraocular pressure, treating the ailment. Any administration method, except direct application to

the eyes, produced positive results. Similarly, the drug can treat rheumatoid arthritis. This condition

arises when a person’s immune system attacks the tissues in their own joints. Americans for Safe

Access (ASA) concluded that cannabis actually relieved pain and reduced the symptoms. More

importantly, ASA states that marijuana has fewer and less dangerous side effects, as compared to

prescription painkillers.

Indeed, modern research suggests that marijuana could still be used for the treatment of

even more treatments and a wider range of clinical innovations. These include pain relief, nausea,

spasticity, movement disorders, appetite problems and perhaps even, certain kinds of malignant

tumors. The medicinal characteristics of marijuana cause it to be neuroprotective or protects from

pain due to nerve damage. As a matter of fact, over 60 U.S. and international health institutions and

organizations support the use of medicinal marijuana under a physician’s supervision (Unknown

Author, 2011).

Unlike most modes of treatment, marijuana has more mechanisms of action. To start with,

cannabis can be administered in different methods. Most people think marijuana can be taken only

through inhalation. This method, though quite common, is dangerous as it may cause lung and

throat cancer from the smoke. Today, science has opened newer ways for people to take medical

marijuana. Oral methods are applicable. Without the danger of harming our lungs, the physician may

administer the cannabis orally or by mouth. This method, as stated earlier, bypasses the lungs and

goes to the stomach and intestines, where it is absorbed.

Aside from eating the plant products, patients may take the plant by way of tincture. The

plant is processed, making it more potent, without the previously stated risks. Additionally, the

medicinal marijuana can be converted into a salve. The salve may be placed directly on the skin to

soothe pain in the joints and similar areas. Finally, marijuana can be administered through intra-

venous methods. This highly decreases the time for the effects of marijuana to take action due to its

speedy administration.

Marijuana, like most plant products, is organic and leaves no remaining residue. Marinol, a

compound similar to marijuana, is traditionally prescribed, however, this chemical has a

disadvantage. Marinol contains only one active chemical, unlike marijuana with numerous beneficial

cannabinoids. According to Carter (2003), THC, the chemical found in Marinol, is only one of the

many beneficial cannabinoids in the natural plant. These cannabinoids are the specific chemicals in

the marijuana plant that performs the main effects of the plant.

Another myth surrounding the use of the plant is on dependence. Marijuana invokes an

image of people getting “high” and having problems abstaining from the substance. This is untrue.

Solomon (1966) clearly states that marihuana users do not come from the criminal class.

Aggressiveness is not commonly seen among these users. Dependence or tolerance is characterized

by prominent withdrawal symptoms. This is the true hallmark or defining characteristic of drug

addiction. In the recent years, there is very little evidence to support the claim that marijuana caries a

true risk of addiction.

Studies, taken by Earleywine (2005), stated existing data do not prove that marijuana use

correlates with an increase in teen marijuana dependence. Solomon adds that Marijuana does not

change the basic personality of the individual and if drug tolerance is acquired, it is only to a limited

extent, unlike other drugs like morphine. Upon comparing marijuana with other substances like

alcohol, nicotine and hard drugs like heroin, Iversen (2001), says that the latter produce the

withdrawal symptoms while marijuana does not. From Solomon’s studies, he stated that marijuana

smokers do not express a mental or physical deterioration attributed to the drug.

There are still many arguments in favor of the use of medical marijuana. Elders (2006)

expressed that evidence of the benefits of cannabis was overwhelming, and that it should be used

for medicinal purposes. The American College of Physicians (2008) presented their opinion that the

law should make an exception for the use of medical marijuana. Similarly, the judge Young (1998)

stated that the evidence showed that marijuana can truly cure certain diseases. Many more experts

gave their own views as to why marijuana must be used to help the sick.

Like most controversial topics, the marijuana debate also has a side against its use. First, the

opposition states that marijuana has dangerous side-effects when smoked. This includes cancer, and

stunted growth. To counter this, the author of the essay stated earlier that there are different ways to

administer marijuana. Inhalation of the fumes is not the only method. Cannabis can be taken

intravenously, orally, and topically. These methods remove the risk of the abovementioned health

problems.

Another statement is that although natural, the plant still contains toxic chemicals and these

produce dangerous side effects. To start with, the opposition claims that THC is the chemical

responsible for the harmful effects in one’s body. Marinol, which is what the opposition prescribes,

also contains THC. Besides, modern science and technology could separate chemicals and

compounds from a plant. Scientists could also replicate the process on marijuana, removing the

toxic chemicals.

Lastly, the critics still claims that marijuana causes abstinent effects. Although a study by

Berba (1981) concludes that marijuana may have short-term effects on adolescents, numerous

studies contradict this and state that there is no clearly defined relationship between marijuana use

and the addiction rates. In addition, Morral (2002) clearly states that marijuana use does not lead to

other drugs and has few withdrawal symptoms.

To add to the list of opposing views, here are a few examples. Frist (2003) says that although

marijuana truly treats numerous ailments, the public must maintain caution around this volatile

substance. The National Eye Institute (NEI) supported studies, which stated that marijuana does

not lower intraocular pressure. Lastly, Director Walters (2002) said that smoked marijuana damages

the brain, heart and lungs. In spite of this, the previous paragraphs could refute this last opinion.

To summarize the essay, marijuana can be taken in many different ways. These include oral,

topical, through tincture, and through intravenous methods. Due to its potency and numerous

beneficial chemicals, the cannabis sativa plant can treat numerous acute and chronic illnesses, such

as glaucoma, arthritis, and cancer therapy. The use of marijuana does not cause an individual to get

addicted, get withdrawal symptoms and possess a deteriorating personality. As a final point, the

author states that the medical use of marijuana should be implemented as the benefits outweigh the

risks. For the author, seeing the different evidences produced by either side, the conclusion of this

long debate may still be a long way to go.