Drug or Cure?

When a unanimous vote from the city councilors in Washington was made to allow the use of medical marijuana in 14 states, those who are chronically ill can only hope for a miracle cure. This new law has to be signed first by Mayor Adrian Fenty, which will then be passed on to a 30-day review period by the congress, before it can take effect. Those who will benefit from this bill are those who are suffering from cancer, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, and even HIV or AIDS.

Over 4,500 years ago, marijuana has been used for therapeutic purposes. In some countries, the use of this substance is legal. Still, there are major concerns against its abuse and the impact it can make on one’s respiratory system. Though there are no links between lung cancer and marijuana, smoking it can induce coughing and wheezing – which can be solved by using a vaporizer that boils these active substances into a fine mist.

What are the Possible Uses of Medical Marijuana?

This substance can be used for treating those who suffer:

1. Cancer – slowing down tumor growth
2. Seizures – due to marijuana being a strong muscle relaxant
3. Migraines – since more than 300,000 cases of it has been treated in California
4. Glaucoma – which made medicinal marijuana popular in documented cases
5. Multiple Sclerosis – stopping muscle spasms and other neurological problems
6. Tourette’s – helping slow down the ‘tics’
7. ADD or ADHD – making marijuana a perfect alternative for Ritalin, minus the negative side effects
8. Crohn’s Disease – helping relieve symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, or abdominal pain
9. Alzheimer’s Disease – prevents the cause of this disease from working its way into the brain
10. PMS – helps relieve cramps or discomfort experienced by women

What are the Health Risks of Using Marijuana?

According to the US Drug Enforcement Administration, marijuana is:

1. An addictive drug that can have short-term and long-term negative effects
2. A drug that can induce memory loss, distorted perception, trouble with thinking and problem solving, loss of motor skills, decrease in muscle strength, increased heart rate, and anxiety
3. Involved in the rising number of emergency room cases ( from 1993 – 2000 )
4. A substance that can increase your risk to cancer-causing chemicals like someone who smokes a full pack of cigarettes daily
5. A harmful drug containing more than 400 chemicals that you can also find in tobacco smoke
6. A drug that increases your risk to heart attack 5x higher than normal in just an hour of smoking it ( according to Harvard University Researchers )
7. A culprit behind a weakened immune system and higher risk to lung infections

Still, there are many who believe that using medicinal marijuana is a careful plan to legalize the use of this drug in the future. The issue is still a sensitive one and it will all depend upon an individual’s wise discretion whether to use one or not. There is also the issue of public safety when one is confronted with an intoxicated user. Overall, you need to stay away from anything illegal and if you are considering this treatment option, you really have to talk to your doctor and consider state laws. Make the Right Decision!

Medical Cannabis and it´s impact on Human Health – Medical Marijuana