Marijuana For Medical Purposes

            The question is, should marijuana be legalized for medical purposes? I didn't realize what a hot topic this really is. I guess I just assumed if the government could make money off it, that is would become legalized. It is legal in a few states. I watched a very interesting discussion on Dr. Oz last night.

            Some doctors and studies are suggesting that smoking cannabis helps patients suffering with cancer, aids, stress, insomnia,  neurogenic pain,  multiple sclerosis, asthma.  Medical cannabis has also been found to relieve certain symptoms of multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries by exhibiting antispasmodic and muscle-relaxant properties as well as stimulating appetite. There are patients with these diseases that insist that it does help relieve the symptoms. There are studies that claim smoking cannabis does not, by itself, increase the risk of lung cancer, and this result is now well-established. I myself don't depend to much on some studies, in two years they could be saying the exact opposite.
            On the other hand there are doctors and studies that suggest cannabis is addictive an harmful. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's position, that marijuana has no accepted value in the treatment of any disease in the United States, has also remained the same. There is also a huge concern that if legalized for medical purposes that there will be an increase of teen usage and addiction to marijuana. Another concern that I heard was about it having to be inhaled. Those were the main issues that I heard about the medical use of marijuana.
           Okay! I am against anything harmful to our bodies, whether it be cannabis, hormones or other additives to our food, pesticides, prescription drugs and the list goes on and on. I think a natural approach to anything is by far the best way to go. If anyone can get through pain without medication of any sort they are better off. With that being said, I have a few questions for which I would like reasonable answers.
          Why is it okay to sell cigarettes knowing without a doubt they cause cancer, heart disease, and stroke? Not to mention they are extremely addictive. Why are cigarettes legal but it is not okay to legalize something that studies show and people confess that it can help  relieve symptoms of certain disease and in some case inhibit cell growth in some cancer?  Same question for alcohol, why, knowing that it is and is going to be misused and not only hurt the ones consuming it but also effect the innocent others that are in the path of the drunk driver or raging alcoholic, WHY, please someone tell me WHY, is that legal to purchase without even a prescription? Why is it okay for a doctor to perscribe medication such as Codeine, Percodan, Vicodin, and Percocet for pain and not marijuana? That's right marijuana is addictive!  Xanax, Ativan, Valium, Librium, Haldol, Navane, Thorazine, Mellaril tranquilizers to treat anxiety or sleep problems but not marijuana, honestly people! All these prescription drugs are are very addictive!  Is marijuana really any more addictive than these drugs? Now to address the concern of inhaling. What about inhalers used for asthma, Nicotrol inhaler used to help cigarette smokers quit, nebulizer used to administer medication in the form of a mist inhaled into the lungs? Yeah, that's right they do not have to be lit to be inhaled. I'm not saying that there is a problem with using these other drugs, if used correctly, I'm just wondering why marijuana is such a big deal.
          Okay, now I have a couple opinions or maybe just thoughts. If teenagers are interested in trying marijuana they are going to regardless of how they get it, unless they have parents that are REALLY on top of things (that's a topic for another blog). It might just be harder to get, if it is legalized. The demand on the streets might go down, I don't know. If it is legalized maybe there would be more control over the use, you know like the control over the use of narcotics and sedatives! Maybe there would be more programs or better yet more medication for helping them quit. Have you ever read the side effects for medications (prescription or over the counter) it is UNREAL. What exactly are the side effects to using cannabis? Maybe these other drugs have so many side affects it requires medication to treat the side affects which in turn would require more doctor visits. Humm... that would keep the big drug companies and doctors in business, right! Maybe that is why it is not legal, maybe it won't cause enough problem for the consumer!?! Some might ask, why put another drug out there that might cause problems. If it helps relieve some pain or other issues cause by a certain serious diseases, why not? I know alcohol is used for medical purposes but what about cigs are they? No! But they are still out there! These are just a few thing I still need to ponder on.
          Facts....I have known a lot of people who have smoked marijuana, including myself. I haven't smoked anything in many many years. I'm not the same person I use to be. I don't do anything illegal. If I go a penny over at the gas pump I make sure to go back and pay it. As far as anything foreign in my body, I don't do it. I have medicine (acetaphetamine, Ibuprofen, cough syrup) it in the house, just in case, but in most case it goes out of date before being used. I just want people to understand, this is what I know. Do I think it is okay for my children to smoke marijuana ? Heck no! I scrub the produce from the grocery store to  hopefully wash away some of the pesticides. I make homemade cookies so they don't get all the additives and preservatives. If I spray air freshener they have to be out of the room until it settles so they don't inhale any of it. They haven't taken a antibiotic in years and won't unless absolutely necessary.  But if my children were in pain and suffering, from any illness (like cancer) and marijuana could help relieve some of the pain, you had better bet you bottom dollar I would let them! I don't think anyone should take something without absolutely needing it.
             The reasons that I heard for not legalizing marijuana, is bogus. If there is real concern about the addiction from recreational use, health issues, teen usage, then why haven't cigarettes, alcohol, and other extremely addictive medicines become illegal. Why is it taking so long to make it illegal in all states to buy bath salts? The only side effects I have seen or experienced with the use of marijuana are those similar to muscle relaxers....calming, relaxing, and maybe a little to happy. I have never even heard of any bad side effects of just marijuana use by itself. I am talking about people I have known to smoke it, not what studies suggest. I think these studies are bogus also, you get into he said she said and never really know which one is right or telling the truth. You know how it goes, a couple years down the road studies will show something different (like eggs are not as high in cholesterol as previous studies suggested). I don't think people should be behind the wheel after smoking, drinking or taking anything that effects your mind or ability to control. I don't think cannabis should be prescribed for PMS but who am I to talk, I've never had PMS that bad, if I did I might change my mind. I think anyone against the use of cannabis would probably have a different opinion if they were in the severe pain that some of these patients with disabling illnesses are in.
          Well that is my thoughts and opinions. From what I have conceived and then considered about the use of Marijuana, Cannabis, Mary Jane, Pot, Weed (what ever you want to call it) for medical purposes, I have came to believe that smoking cannabis is OKAY, if used correctly and for the right purposes. I am a woman and have the right to change my mind on anything at any time. Somebody out there may have opinions or facts that might just change my mind!  But as for now....I believe it is Okay!
          I will probably tick off a few people with this post...sorry mom! It's only my opinion.  You all need to get the facts and make your own opinion.  Just please get the facts before deciding whether something is wrong or right!