1 Kadijatu Kanu06/04/2018The Quest for Legalized MarijuanaMarijuana has been stigmatized as a bad/ gateway drug for decades in our society, but it can be the exact opposite. The cannabis plant has had great material usage since its discovery thousands of years ago, especially the cultivation of hemp. Marijuana has far fewer harmful consequences compared to other legal drugs, and illicit substances. Society is becoming more informed about the benefits of medical marijuana. Hemp was probably the earliest plant cultivated for textile fiber. Hemp is also believed tobe the oldest example of human industry. In the Lu Shi, a Chinese work of the Sung dynasty (500AD), we find reference to the Emperor Shen Nung (28th century BC) who taught his …show more content…
It is believed that hemp made it to Europe in approximately 1,200 BC. From there, it spread throughout the ancient world (http://www.mit.edu/~thistle/v13/2/history.html). When Congress passed the Marijuana Tax Act in 1937, the decline of hemp effectively began. The tax and licensing regulations of the act made hemp cultivation nearly impossible for Americans. The government formed a private company called War Hemp Industries to subsidize hemp cultivation. From 1937 until the late 1960s the United States government recognized that Industrial Hemp and marijuana were two distinct varieties of the cannabis plant (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemp). After the Controlled Substances Act was passed, hemp was no longer recognized as being distinct from marijuana. The Deceleration of Independence was signed on hemp paper. Hemp is the most cost-efficientand environmentally friendly fuel crop. Depending on processing, hemp can produce either hempbiodiesel and hemp ethanol/methanol. Hemp could also be used for mulch, carpet, fiberboard.Many world governments, including the United States, tend to have more restrictive policies around drugs such as marijuana than they do for alcohol and tobacco. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration wrongly considers marijuana a …show more content…
Researchers found that marijuana has the lowest risk of mortality and is safer than the commonly used alcohol and tobacco as well as the rest of the drugs in the study. According to research alcohol (which is legal in all 50 states) is approximately 114 times more dangerous than marijuana, which remains the only federally controlled substance that has never caused a death by overdose (Scientific Reports/ Washington Post). There is an opioid epidemic currently besieging the United States. A growing body of evidence suggests that cannabinoids can be effective in alleviating pain, either alongside or in place of opioids. Marijuana could serve as a safer option for some kinds of pain relief and could even help to reduce the number of people addicted to opioids.Medical marijuana uses the marijuana plant or chemicals in it to treat diseases or conditions.More than half of U.S. states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana in some form, and more are considering bills to do the same. Medical marijuana is used to treat several different illnesses included but not limited to schizophrenia, glaucoma, Alzheimer’s disease, loss of appetite, etc. Marijuana chemical cannabidiols (CBD/THC)
When marijuana is taken it can have amazing effects on the user, if someone with chronic neck or back pains, severe vomiting and nausea or someone with Neurological conditions uses marijuana it can remarkably relieve them from the pain. Marijuana has potent analgesic properties which can be used to treat a variety of different pains. Medical marijuana as a chronic pain reliever can reduce patients' pain and improve the quality of their life, without the same serious side effects associated with use of some pharmaceutical pain relievers. Marijuana can also be taken as an Anti-emetic which is a drug used to prevent one from vomiting, if a person potentially believes that he or she is going to vomit then smoking marijuan...
There are many different words for what was originally considered, “hemp” to the ancient world. Some are, cannabis, marijuana, weed, and pot. Over time, the different words have reflected the views and uses of hemp through different societies and time periods. Hemp dates back to the early Mesopotamian days in what is considered Turkey today. It is the first known plant to be domestically cultivated. According to research, “The oldest relic of human history is hemp fabric dated to 8,000 BCE.” In 1492, Christopher Columbus brought hemp as a rope to America. His ships were full of hemp fabric used for uniforms, parachutes, ropes, sails, baggage, shoes and many more military uses. To free the American colonies from England press, Benjamin Franklin started a paper mill, which used cannabis to create paper and print books. This allowed America to have free colonial press from Britian without having to ask for them. The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were both drafted on hemp paper. Betsey Ross made the first flag of the United States of America out of hemp, which was the strongest known fiber at the time. “Farmers from 1942 through 1945 who agreed to grow hemp were waived from serving in the military, along with their sons; that is how vitally important hemp was to America during World War II.” Henry Ford also used hemp-based plastic to create vehicles, which was proven to be stronger and lighter than steel and could withstand much more impact without denting. He also used hemp-based ethanol fuel, which was more efficient. Hemp had been used widely throughout the United States before it became illegal and served many purposes.
While cannabis still has its own risks, it’s overall a much safer option to treat chronic pain. Plus, when patients take the correct strain and dose, it doesn’t get them high. Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the non-psychoactive elements of cannabis that balances out THC—the psychoactive component. Many strains are meant to help relieve pain as well as improve mental clarity so patients can go about their daily lives. Compared to recreational users, patients need miniscule amounts of medical cannabis to obtain relief.
The history of marijuana in North America is integral in understanding the reasons it is now illegal and how to...
Legalization of marijuana in the United States has received much attention and controversy in recent months. The federal government outlaws the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, despite proven research studies that have discovered the plant’s potential to treat the lives of many Americans affected by disease and chronic pain. Medicinal use of the marijuana plant dates back to 2700 B.C. in China. Emperor Shen Nung discovered its’ healing properties and recommended marijuana for a variety of ailments (Mack and Joy 14). Today, bias views and laws plague the advancement of marijuana in present day medicine.
Throughout history people have used marijuana for its dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds to relieve pain, stress, and other medical issues from one’s life. Within the recent years it has become one of the most debated issues in the United States. In the 1930s, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Narcotics (now the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs) claimed that marijuana was a “gateway” drug and was a powerful, addicting substance. During the sixties marijuana became a symbol for rebellion against authority so it became very popular by college students and “hippies”. So in 1982, Drug Enforcement Administration increased pressure on drug farms and houses which decreased the use of marijuana. In the past twenty years marijuana has become a
History of Marijuana Marijuana has been used both recreationally and medicinally for centuries. There are numerous accounts of its medicinal qualities in multiple historical artifacts. Its use dates back to 2737 B.C. when the Chinese emperor, Shen Nung, used it for medicinal purposes including malaria, gout, poor memory, rheumatism, and analgesia (Carter et. al., 2003). Eastern Indian documents, in the Atharvaveda, dating back to 2000 B.C. also refer to its medicinal use.
Throughout history marijuana has been used to serve various purposes in many different cultures. The purposes have changed over time to fit in with the current lifestyles. This pattern is also true in American history. The use of marijuana has adapted to the social climate of the time. Marijuana, whose scientific name is cannibis sativa, was mentioned in historical manuscripts as early as 2700 B. C. in China. (Grolier Electronic Encyclopedia, 1995). The cultivation of the marijuana plant began as far back as the Jamestown settlers, around 1611, who used hemp produced from the marijuana plant's fibers to make rope and canvas. It was also used in making clothing because of it's durability. These uses fit in with the social climate of the time, because the main focus was on survival rather than for psychoactive purposes. During the prohibition, marijuana was widely used because of the scarcity of alcohol. Prohibition was repealed after just thirteen years while the prohibition against marijuana lasted for more than seventy five years.
Marijuana has a greater beneficial impact on society then many people realize. Marijuana should be legalized for medical as well as recreational purposes. This is a highly controversial issue that is being debated throughout the country. In essence marijuana is evaluated by the effectiveness of the drug. It is defined as the dried flowered clusters and leaves of a hemp plant smoked for the intoxicating effect. Whether it should be legalized or not is the real question.
History of Marijuana Prohibition Marijuana has been illegal for less than 1% of the time that it’s been in use (Guither, 2014). Going back to 1619, the Virginia Assembly passed legislation requiring every farmer to grow hemp. Hemp was allowed to be exchanged as legal tender in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland (Block, 2014). It was actually a crime in some states to refuse to grow hemp in the 1700's. In the late 19th century, marijuana was a popular ingredient in many medicinal products and was sold openly in public pharmacies (PBS, 2014).
Why keep those pricey bottles and boxes of drugs in our medicine cabinets which are worthless? New research suggests that marijuana is a medicine. This is a concern which should be addressed for the citizens of United States who have to fight for their medicine to feel better and ease their illness. This is why marijuana should be a medical option! Marijuana is a natural herbal plant which is often called pot, weed, MMJ, cannabis, bubble gum, green goddess and there are several other names that follows. It can be smoked, eaten and drank. There are few reasons why it should be a medical option such as it costs less, its chemical free, and last it helps with the side effects from other medicines and illnesses. Marijuana can relieve certain types of pain such as migraine headaches, anxiety, chronic back pain, arthritis, movement disorders, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, glaucoma and epilepsy. In some medical cases, marijuana is prescribed by the doctors since the pain tolerance is too high. However, marijuana can be considered as less toxic than other medicines that are out there.
The first law that regarded marijuana in America required farmers to grow hemp in the year 1619 for clothing, rope, and other materials, but “as early as 1840, doctors recognized the medical applications of marijuana, and the drug was freely sold in pharmacies for over a century.” (Rich and Stingl). In 1937, the use and possession of marijuana was made illegal, but “before 1937 marijuana was freely bought, sold, grown, and used. ”(Rich and Stingl). In 1970 the Congress decided to classify marijuana as a schedule one drug, which has made the legalization more difficult.
Marijuana is a plant that has always been deliberated by the United States for centuries. On one side marijuana is a harmless plant that brings peace and love to those who use it and on the other side, marijuana is an evil addictive drug that will ruin the lives of users. Before marijuana was outlawed, “George Washington and Thomas Jefferson recommended that the early colonists grow "the abundant weed" and cultivate it into such products as lamp oil, flour and fabric for uniforms and clothing” (Wilke). Hemp is a very useful plant and the founding fathers of the United States told people to grow it because of its versatility. "For decades, our government has been exaggerating the harms of marijuana in order to keep it illegal, The Institutes of Medicine determined that the addictive properties of marijuana are quite mild compared to those of alcohol," (Weise). Alcohol is a substance that can be physically addictive and was outlawed in 1919 until the end of prohibition in 1920. Nixon also started the War On Drugs in June 1971, and...
Medical Marijuana refers to unprocessed and whole marijuana. Four out of five Americans are in favor of the legalization of marijuana for medical use in their own state. Thirty-Five states and the District of Columbia have legalized some form of marijuana for medical use. Cannabinoids is the part of marijuana that can be used in medications. It helps treat conditions such as child epilepsy, which gives children violent seizures. The human body even creates its own cannabinoids to help regulate pleasure, memory, thinking, concentration, body movement, awareness of time, appetite, pain, and the senses. There are two parts to cannabinoids, THC and CBD. THC increases appetite and decreases nausea. It can also decrease pain, swelling, redness, and muscle control problems. Dronabinol and nabilone are two FDA-approved drugs containing THC. CBD may lessen pain and inflammation, manage epileptic seizures, and perhaps even treating mental illness and addictions. The first state that legalized the medical use of marijuana asked for patients with serve conditions such as cancer, HIV/AIDS or multiple sclerosis only be able to purchase marijuana with a doctor's recommendation. Furthermore, they want their patient to be able to grow a maximum of 15 plants and possess up to 24 ounces of “usable” marijuana. Patients with HIV/AIDS and cancer want to use marijuana as a cheaper and effective alternative source of treatment. Medical patients will be excused from the 10 percent retail sales tax paid by recreational customers, but will still have to pay the 37 percent excise tax. For many states, their medical marijuana regulations are fairly loose in comparison to their strict regulations on recreational growers and
Medical marijuana has helped a lot of children and adult with reducing or eliminating the pain they have due to their health issues. Medical marijuana is used a lot more in todays world. This is due to people’s reactions while on it being far better than what they had expected. A person who is consuming medical marijuana is not only being helped with reducing the pain but it helps the person live a life they used to struggle with on daily bases. Medical marijuana is not only known to reduce pain but it also helps with appetite reducer, vomiting and nausea. It is not bad for people because it is a control substance given by doctors. States like California have open the doors to medical marijuana making it a huge step forward and potentially welcoming other new