SHOULD MEDICAL MARIJUANA BECOME LEGAL?

By Kirstin Rowley Hornet Staff

The use of marijuana for medicinal purposes has been used in
different cultures for centuries and has been proven hugely
beneficial in numerous health reports.

Medicinal marijuana has been used to treat pain, nausea and vomiting
in the terminally ill, individuals with spinal cord injury, diabetes,
multiple sclerosis, cancer and AIDS.

Medicinal marijuana, smoked or in pill form, is safer, less harsh and
less toxic than most other prescribed drugs that are used to treat
the same illnesses.

The chemical THC, in cannabis, has been proven to relieve burning
sensations, decreased stress, nausea, vomiting, muscle spasms and
increased appetite.

In a study done on patients with AIDS receiving cannabis versus a
placebo, the patients treated with marijuana had increased immune
function and kept on more weight. Marijuana is clearly helping a
variety of patients, so why should it be denied?

Some argue that marijuana advocates are just looking for a free pass,
recreational use of marijuana is illegal, but the sick and dying are
surely not trying to get a cheap high.

A treatment drug is a treatment drug, there is nothing less moral
about using prescription marijuana for an illness then there is for
using any other leading drug. There are huge benefits to the use of
marijuana that cannot be ignored just because society has poor views of it.

If something works time and time again, if something is less harmful
than the treatments currently being used and if something is showing
positive improvement in terminal patients, then the question of why
not, must be asked.

By Carla Gonzalez Hornet Staff

Alternative medicine like herbs or plants that can cure some
diseases are a great idea. However, medical cannabis, or medicinal
marijuana, does not fall in this category.

The State of California accepted medical cannabis to be sold at
dispensaries, but it is still a controversial issue worldwide.

Marijuana is supposed to be prescribed responsibly and ingested under
doctor's permanent supervision.

Cannabis slows your motor skills and affects your reproductive
system. It also has carcinogens and weakens your immune system.

Research shows that THC, an active ingredient in marijuana may cure
Alzheimers and even cancer. THC kills cells before they transform
into several diseases.

But it does not distinguish good and bad cells, it kills them all.
THC found in cannabis can also be found in many other more effective
drugs, that are clinically approved.

Supporters claim it helps HIV/AIDS patients and shows no evidence of
discomfort. Some studies had evidence that it reduced anxiety and
pain. Of course, it's a drug; it's supposed to keep you unaware of pain.

Reserachers also say it will not harm you as much as other drugs, but
how much is not as much.

Researchers also say that the usual ingestion of this drug can cure
an addiction to other drugs such as heroin. I just can't believe that.

Marijuana is easily abused. If it becomes legal, it would just be a
medium to get away with it, and say "it was for medicinal purposes."

Is it the universal healer? Does it actually cure cancer, Alzheimer,
HIV/AIDS and many more? There have been hundreds of studies on the
medicinal powers of cannabis, but none have been concrete.

The reason why it isn't used in regular medical offices and hospitals
is because it is harmful for the human body.