Should the United States legalize the medical use of cannabis?
As mentioned above, over 25 states in the United States have amended their laws to legalize the medical use of marijuana. Below are a handful of reasons the remaining states should consider legalizing the medical use of cannabis. Why Should Medical Marijuana be Legal? 1. Reduces the use of prescription drugs
What is medical marijuana and how does it work?
In the U.S. medical marijuana — also referred to as medical cannabis — is legal in a growing number of states to ease pain, nausea and other side effects of medical treatments, as well as to treat some diseases. Depending on why a person is using medical marijuana, treatment may be short term or continue for years.
Is there a medical role for cannabinoid drugs?
If there is any medical role for cannabinoid drugs, it lies with chemically defined compounds, not with unprocessed cannabis plant. Legalization or medical use of smoked cannabis is likely to impose significant public health risks, including an increased risk of schizophrenia, psychosis, and other forms of substance use disorders.
What are the risks of using marijuana to treat medical conditions?
Further study is needed to answer this question, but possible short- and long-term risks of using marijuana to treat medical conditions include: Addiction, which occurs in about 10 percent of users who start smoking marijuana before age 25. Breathing problems, for people who smoke marijuana. Dizziness.
What is medical marijuana (medical cannabis)?
Medical marijuana — also called medical cannabis — is a term for derivatives of the Cannabis sativa plant that are used to relieve serious and chronic symptoms. Cannabis sativa contains many active compounds, but two are of interest for medical purposes: THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol).
Can marijuana be used as medicine?
Use of marijuana as medicine also poses other problems such as the adverse health effects of smoking and THC-induced cognitive impairment. Nevertheless, a growing number of states have legalized dispensing of marijuana or its extracts to people with a range of medical conditions.
What are the qualifying conditions for medical marijuana?
Depending on which state you live in, you may qualify for treatment with medical marijuana if you meet certain requirements and have a qualifying condition, such as: 1 Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). 2 Anorexia due to HIV/AIDS. 3 Chronic pain. 4 Crohn’s disease. 5 Epilepsy or seizures. 6 (more items)