Up in Smoke: The Medical Marijuana Debate

Containing over 400 chemicals, the cannabis plant is the source of marijuana, which has been labeled a Schedule 1 controlled substance since 1970. Once treated and dried, marijuana can be smoked (or even eaten!) to induce an altered mood, caused primarily by THC (delta 9 tetrhydrocannabinol). The terms "medical cannabis" and "medical marijuana" refer to the use of the chemicals in the cannabis plant and marijuana (such as THC) as a physician-recommended from of medicine or herbal therapy.

The potency of marijuana has increased over the years, with a 4% increase of THC presence in the drug from 20 years ago. Often taken as a recreational drug, marijuana has some adverse effects: short term memory loss, increased heart rate, weakening of the immune system, raised risk of lung infections, increased risk of lung cancer, decrease in perception and reaction time response (which is especially dangerous when driving), exacerbation of current mental health problems (or the creation of new ones), breathing problems, and addictive qualities (1).

The administration of medical marijuana is most frequently done through vaporizing or smoking dried buds, eating or drinking extracts, and taking capsules. Smoking has fielded the fewest positive outcomes (2).

Medicinal marijuana is a much-debated topic in the medical field, with no clear-cut agreement. Some research indicates that it could be effective for the relief of nausea and vomiting, stimulation of hunger in chemotherapy and AIDS patients, gastrointestinal illness, and lowered intralobular eye pressure (which has been effective for treating glaucoma).

Both pro and con sides of the medical marijuana debate present compelling arguments. It is important to remember that if the legalization of medicinal marijuana does occur, it should have no bearing on the legality of recreational use (which is a fear of many opponents of medical marijuana). As recently as May of 2011, the Illinois House of Representatives failed to pass medical marijuana legislation that came up for a vote. In fact, many legal medical drugs on the market are not only illegal, but also dangerous to use recreationally. Furthermore, there is a wide variety of marijuana with different potencies and additives (over 400 other chemicals), and street marijuana for medical use carries a greater risk than marijuana cultivated specifically for medicinal treatment.

Before an informed decision can be made, it would only be wise to undertake further research. Doctors have no guidelines or standards on when to use, how to administer, and the possible side effects of medicinal marijuana. With more research comes more knowledge, and with more knowledge comes the basis to train doctors to use medical marijuana effectively, and how to draw a distinct line between medical applications of marijuana and recreational use.


1. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Marijuana: Facts for Teens (http://www.drugabuse.gov/MarijBroch/MarijIntro.html). NIH Pub. No. 98-4037. Bethesda, MD. NIDA, NIH, DHHS. Revised March 2008. Retrieved June 2009.

2. Wikipedia