Marijuana: Drug or Cure?

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A current hot button topic with some people and some state legislatures happens to be over the legalization of Marijuana. As of 1970 with the passing of The Controlled Substances Act the Federal Government officially classified marijuana as a schedule 1 drug with no real accepted medicinal use at the time (History of Marijuana). As the capabilities of science have progressed over time more and more scientific challenges have bombarded this decision so that more tangible research can be garnered from this plant. The earliest known mention of marijuana as a recreational drug came from the writings of the Chinese Emperor Shen Nung in 2737 B.C. (History of Marijuana). While the Chinese were aware of the psychoactive properties the plant could induce in users of the plant, the benefit of it as a medicinal agent was more important to them (History of Marijuana). There are other cultures who did not take the same view as the Chinese on the plant. In India the drug was explicitly used for recreation, in the Muslim world it was also used recreationally because alcohol is banned in Muslim regions (History of Marijuana). With a brief look at the history of marijuana it is obvious that there are conflicting ideas concerning the use of it. With the advancement of science comes not only a look at possible benefits of the plant, but a more detailed look at possible harm it could potentially do. The current strongest argument for the legalization of marijuana is for the medicinal benefits that it can provide to some patients and the alleviation of severe symptoms (Pros of Marijuana Legalization). Chemotherapy as a treatment for the eradication of cancer can have very ill side effects for the patient receiving these treatments. Chemo... ... middle of paper ... ...of-marijuana-4653.html>. "History of Marijuana." Drug Rehabilitation. Narconon International, n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2012. . "Paul Position on Marijuana." 2012 Republican Candidates. n.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2012. . "Pro's Of Marijuana Legalization." Marijuana Today. Marijuana Today, n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2012. . "Romney Position on Marijuana." 2012 Republican Candidates. n.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2012. . Scott Raynor. "New Types of Synthetic Marijuana Prompt Iowa Legislators to Act. "MarionPatch. n.p., 24 Feb. 2012. Web. 18 Mar. 2012. .

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