Marijuana Side Effects versus Medical Marijuana

There seem to be a collision course between marijuana side effects and medicinal marijuana nowadays.

Marijuana is an illicit drug from the the hemp plant Cannabis Sativa. Assorted parts of the plant are dried up, mixed and oftentimes smoked to experience a euphoric or “high” feeling. It is banned in most parts of the world and has been the most widely used illicit drug in the United States. Its possession, use and sale is strongly prohibited by the federal laws of the country. However, the medicinal value of marijuana has led some states to allow its medical use. It is one of the main reason why hard stance and prohibition of marijuana use is softening across the country.

One of the reasons why it is banned is because of the marijuana side effects that influences the person who smokes or uses it. The active chemicals in marijuana creates a distorted perception that may cause deviant social behavior. More so because another one of marijuana’s side effects is addiction. In the United States, the pot is usually the first drug that teens try out. When they feel that marijuana do not satiate their need, they proceed to stronger drugs like heroin and cocaine.

However, marijuana side effects is not just entirely negative. Medical cannabis or marijuana is found to provide relief to various medical conditions. Patients with debilitating illnesses like HIV, cancer, multiple sclerosis, nausea, glaucoma and chronic pain can be relieved by marijuana. Experts who recognizes its medicinal value point out that smoking marijuana is not the proper way to harness its medical benefits because it can cause side effects.

It’s a fact that smoking cigarettes damages the smoker with a lot of side effects. Marijuana when smoked is seen in the same context. The marijuana side effects are doubled when marijuana is used in conjunction with other dangerous illicit substance. Over the years, marijuana potency has increased. First time users are now more prone to overdose. Instead of the feeling of euphoria that they expect, inexperienced users may experience the opposite ill effects like dysphoria, anxiety and irritability.

Patients prescribed with marijuana treatment are thankful of the medical marijuana programs implemented in few States. But the federal law prevents them accessing marijuana easily. This is in fact the subject of legislation in some states. For example, the legislative branch of Rhode Island has proposed a bill that will allow the state to authorize marijuana dispensaries for patients in need of medical marijuana treatment. There are even initiatives to legalize marijuana wholly, meaning even the recreational use will be allowed. These pro legalization groups think that marijuana can be regulated like alcohol and cigarettes. Also, it has the promise of helping the economy and weaken the illegal drug trade.

For those who weigh marijuana side effects more, the legalization of marijuana is detrimental to society. Should the law allow marijuana to be used for recreational purposes, it will only encourage drug abuse. Driving under the influence of alcohol causes a lot of accidents and deaths. That may also be the case when marijuana is legalized. Shouldn’t the government err on the side of caution?