Medical Marijuana: A not so new form of medical treatment Essay

Marijuana usage for the purpose of medical treatment has been a debated issue in many states and Countries around the world. The United Kingdom and Canada have both adopted laws that are directed at protecting patients and doctors from prosecution due to possession and usage of marijuana for medical purposes. Australia has passed laws, but has not put them into effect, and the United States has not made any allowances, leaving marijuana in the same category with other illegal drugs and allowing for prosecution if a person is found to be growing, possessing or using marijuana, regardless of the reasons. According to Dresser, there are currently fourteen states that have taken it upon themselves to enact laws that allow for the prescribing and use of medical marijuana, California being the most liberal in terms of allowed usages (7). While medical conditions that allow marijuana to be prescribed vary from state to state, Hall and Degenhardt write that accepted treatments generally incl ude issues such as nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy, wasting due to HIV and aids, movement disorders and muscle spasticity disorders (690-692). Although many government and public agencies disagree on the medical benefits that marijuana may provide in the relief of chronic symptoms, marijuana seems to be growing in popularity among doctors and the patients that benefit from its use and a vast number of people feel it should be legalized for medical conditions across America. The use of marijuana for medical purposes is not a new issue. Prior to the twentieth century, marijuana was often used for treatment of symptoms caused by medical issues in both the United States and throughout Europe, Asia and India. In their report, Hall & Degenhardt stat... ... discusses a study that was performed in California and other States due to concerns about medical marijuana having an elicit effect of influencing young people and causing an increase in illegal marijuana use. The study showed that no abnormal increase was seen among people ages 16 to 25 following the legalization of medical marijuana. Wiwi, Amy Komoroski, and Nicole P. Crifo. "The Unintended Impact of New Jersey's New Medical Marijuana Law on the Workplace." Employee Relations Law Journal 36.1 (2010): 33-37. SPORTDiscus with Full Text. EBSCO. Web. 21 Nov. 2010. This article discusses the medical marijuana laws in New Jersey and offers suggestions to employers on how to address issues in the work place, such as failed drug testing and employee usage of marijuana. It also addresses the lack of consideration of employment in the drafting and passing of these laws. Medical Marijuana: A not so new form of medical treatment Essay Marijuana usage for the purpose of medical treatment has been a debated issue in many states and Countries around the world. The United Kingdom and Canada have both adopted laws that are directed at protecting patients and doctors from prosecution due to possession and usage of marijuana for medical purposes. Australia has passed laws, but has not put them into effect, and the United States has not made any allowances, leaving marijuana in the same category with other illegal drugs and allowing for prosecution if a person is found to be growing, possessing or using marijuana, regardless of the reasons. According to Dresser, there are currently fourteen states that have taken it upon themselves to enact laws that allow for the prescribing and use of medical marijuana, California being the most liberal in terms of allowed usages (7). While medical conditions that allow marijuana to be prescribed vary from state to state, Hall and Degenhardt write that accepted treatments generally incl ude issues such as nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy, wasting due to HIV and aids, movement disorders and muscle spasticity disorders (690-692). Although many government and public agencies disagree on the medical benefits that marijuana may provide in the relief of chronic symptoms, marijuana seems to be growing in popularity among doctors and the patients that benefit from its use and a vast number of people feel it should be legalized for medical conditions across America. The use of marijuana for medical purposes is not a new issue. Prior to the twentieth century, marijuana was often used for treatment of symptoms caused by medical issues in both the United States and throughout Europe, Asia and India. In their report, Hall & Degenhardt stat... ... discusses a study that was performed in California and other States due to concerns about medical marijuana having an elicit effect of influencing young people and causing an increase in illegal marijuana use. The study showed that no abnormal increase was seen among people ages 16 to 25 following the legalization of medical marijuana. Wiwi, Amy Komoroski, and Nicole P. Crifo. "The Unintended Impact of New Jersey's New Medical Marijuana Law on the Workplace." Employee Relations Law Journal 36.1 (2010): 33-37. SPORTDiscus with Full Text. EBSCO. Web. 21 Nov. 2010. This article discusses the medical marijuana laws in New Jersey and offers suggestions to employers on how to address issues in the work place, such as failed drug testing and employee usage of marijuana. It also addresses the lack of consideration of employment in the drafting and passing of these laws.