Written by Casandra Jones on 04/01/2022.
Data Last Updated: 06/10/2024.
The use of medical marijuana is not a new treatment. The first mention of it dates back to the third millennium BC when the plant was considered an effective pain reliever, as evidenced by written sources from ancient China.
Marijuana began to be considered a medicine much later in the Old and New World, at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. At that time, it could be bought quite legally (as could cocaine or opium, which were also on the list of medications). However, after a strict ban on the use and inclusion of cannabinoids in the Schedule 1 list at the state level in the United States, its use decreased. Nevertheless, recent studies suggest that weed users in the United States account for more than 8% of the total population. According to the United Nations Convention on Narcotic Drugs, adopted in 1961, cannabis is included in the list of plants containing drugs. The Convention obliges the States Parties to control its cultivation strictly.
Today, medical marijuana is once again a hotly debated topic because the debates on its legalization are ongoing in many countries. In the United States, for example, although it is legal in many states (such as California, Oregon, and other states) and can even be used not only for medical purposes, the pros and cons of medical marijuana have yet to be agreed upon at the state level by the government.
What are the arguments for and against medical cannabinoids? Let’s examine them.
Disputes over the legalization and decriminalization of marijuana are ongoing around the world. Nonetheless, dozens of countries have softened their laws. In many countries, people can carry marijuana for medical use and grow plants at home. Specifically, marijuana is fully or partially legal in more than 40 countries worldwide, while around 14 countries use marijuana for medicinal purposes. For the first time in 60 years, WHO experts have recognized that marijuana preparations have therapeutic potential for treating pain and other medical conditions, such as epilepsy and spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis.
Medical cannabis helps alleviate the following pathological conditions:
Marijuana medicines are often made from cannabidiol contained in hemp, which does not have a stupefying effect but has a calming and antispasmodic effect. Last year, US authorities even approved a cannabinoid drug for the treatment of childhood epilepsy, reducing the frequency of seizures by 42%. However, tetrahydrocannabinol is also used in medicine, but usually in specific proportions with cannabidiol.
Arguments for legal weed consumption also include these facts:
However, there are also arguments against the consumption and production of weed in medicine.
While marijuana has shown potential benefits in medical treatment, there are important considerations regarding its use. Some of the cons associated with marijuana consumption are:
While marijuana holds promise for medical and scientific purposes, it is crucial to consider the cons associated with its consumption. It is important to balance the potential benefits with the known risks and ensure that individuals have access to accurate and comprehensive information to make informed decisions about its use.
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