The Medical Benefits of Marijuana

An advocate for the legalization of marijuana said, "The fear of marijuana stems from its limitless potential for treating illness, in that both the pharmaceutical industry and the medical monopoly would lose billions of dollars if marijuana became a non-drug of choice." But is this a fact or simply a statement of justification? Over the years, the ingestion of marijuana, particularly via smoking, has been said to be harmful to users. However, this deduction was most likely made by observing only the minority of marijuana users without taking into consideration other necessary factors. Marijuana has now been listed as an illegal drug almost everywhere in the world. But should marijuana really be an illegal substance? Can't marijuana, like most other herbs be used for medicinal purposes? Doesn't marijuana have its benefits? Yes, extensive research has proven that the intake of marijuana is beneficial to users.This notorious drug, also referred to as "weed", "hemp" and "MJ", has been deemed harmless to consumers if used with discretion rather than abused.

The main active ingredient in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is what accounts for its usefulness. This THC has been proven to be a healing agent. In fact, over the years it has been synthesized to be used in medicine, more specifically in Marinol which is most times taken orally. Dr Igor Grant, director of a Centre for Medical Cannabis Research in San Diego stated, "Taken orally, its [Marinol] absorption is highly variable and unpredictable and often delayed." However he goes on to say that the smoking of marijuana is a very efficient way to receive THC. The THC in marijuana is absorbed rather quickly and works by activating cannaboid receptors in both sides of the brain. The activation of certain of these receptors does come with negative effects, however, the benefits are numerous.

One such benefit is the dilation of blood vessels in the body. This has been proven in a Costa Rican study which showed that the effects of tobacco on the lungs have been cancelled or lessened in consumers who also smoke marijuana. This is because the marijuana works contrary to the tobacco which constricts the alveoli, hence cancelling its effect. The dilation of blood vessels by marijuana has been beneficial as more oxygenated blood circulates quickly around the body.

Additionally, marijuana relieves the effects of cancers and AIDS as well as the side effects of their various treatments. The herb can be used to reduce nausea and vomiting, most commonly caused by chemotherapy used to treat cancer. Marijuana also stimulates appetite, which is usually reduced in people suffering from such ailments.

Moreover, marijuana has been useful in relieving and/or treating muscle spasms caused by disease, as well as, chronic pain. Furthermore, it can be used to treat glaucoma as it reduces the intrabolar pressure in the eye and to prevent some epileptic seizures.

But, however useful, marijuana will only serve its usefulness if taken medically, that is, as prescribed by a doctor. With the increasing knowledge of the medical benefits of marijuana, doctors are now better able to prescribe suitable dosages of the drug to best treat medical conditions. Mahmoud ElSohly, a Research Professor at the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Mississippi stated, "Cannabis as a smoked product... would not be a useful product simply because of the lack of standardization

Overall, marijuana, a drug well noted for notoriousity, can be beneficial. Research over the years has proven that marijuana can provide a boost of health to the body, as well as be used to treat certain diseases. There is no denying that marijuana does have some negative effects on the body. However, if taken as prescribed, marijuana will serve its usefulness and will make true the popular Rastafarian saying that "marijuana is the healing of the nation."