By: Omar Alkhatib

1
st
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AP English III
Ramirez
Medical Marijuana
Marijuana is a very controversial topic in todays society. The government prohibits it, some
people reject it, and other people support the legalization of it. While yes, it is outlawed by a majority,
there are some cases where it is legal, for medical purposes of course. The selling of marijuana is
prohibited for every reason unless proven to be medically beneficial to the patient.

Medically, studies have shown that marijuana itself is actually not harmful but very helpful for
many problems patients face. The IOM report, Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base,
released in March 1999, found that marijuana's active components are potentially effective in treating
pain, nausea and vomiting, AIDS-related loss of appetite, and other symptoms and should be tested
rigorously in clinical trials. The therapeutic effects of smoked marijuana are typically modest, and in
most cases there are more effective medicines. But a subpopulation of patients does not respond well
to other medications and have no effective alternative to smoking marijuana. Because the chronic use
of marijuana can have negative effects, the benefits should be weighed against the risks. Most of the
identified health risks of marijuana use are related to smoke, not to the cannabis that produces the
benefits. Smoking is a primitive drug delivery system. The one advantage of smoking is that it provides
a rapid-onset drug effect. The effects of smoked marijuana are felt within minutes, which is ideal for
the treatment of pain or nausea. If marijuana is to become a component of conventional medicine, it is
essential that we develop a rapid-onset cannabinoid delivery system that is safer and more effective
than smoking the plant material. All the problems that have come to be associated with marijuana are
really not from the marijuana itself at all. (Evidence from source #2 on bibliography)
An example of how marijuana has helped people is shown in the CNN documentary Weed.
There was a young girl no older than 5 had a disorder where she would suffer 400-500 seizures a week.
The parents of the child could not receive help from hospitals simply because there was nothing they
could do. However two men who owned a local marijuana dispensary did a heavy amount of research,
and eventually created a new strain simply for the purpose to help that child. They sold it to the
parents at a heavily discounted price and instructed them to just bake it into brownies or cookies for
the child. The results were phenomenal, with the girl going from 500 seizures a week to 2-3 seizures a
month. They even named the strain after the little girl, calling it Charlottes Web. Another example
from the Weed documentary which was smaller but nevertheless important came from a man living
in Israel. He was part of an experiment where people with cancer used marijuana for part of a
treatment. The man showed how he used the marijuana and stated that the marijuana will keep him
cancer free with little issues. Yes, marijuana is keeping him cancer free. Doctors in Israel have been
By: Omar Alkhatib
1
st
period
AP English III
Ramirez
studying and have concluded that marijuana is actually killing cancer cells, quickly and efficiently.
(examples from source #1 on bibliography)
Now while smoking marijuana may be harmful to the user, the problem itself is
not the marijuana. Its the act of smoking itself. The smoking is what causes harm and eventually gives
the user cancer; marijuana can be used in baked goods, in vapor, or even as a tea. Now there is also an
argument stating that marijuana impairs the user making some actions dangerous to themselves and
others. Well since it is being used medically, keep in mind that there are other medicines that when
used, the patient is instructed to keep away from operating machinery or anything else that could
cause harm to others. So while yes marijuana does impair the its users, there are other medicines
which are not a Schedule 1 substance that do as much or even worse impairment to its users (picture is
from source #4 on bibliography)
The media and government make marijuana seem as if it is a monster that kills millions every
year. While in reality it is doing the opposite. Many men, women, even children are having their lives
saved or altered for a positive result. Medical marijuana has shown to even be a solution to one of the
worlds largest problems, cancer. While the studies have not been conducted in the United States, they
show that they arent just a treatment for cancer, but with time and technology changing and evolving
so quickly, it may become a cure. While it may seem like legalizing marijuana for medical purposes is
like opening Pandoras Box, the fact is that, the pros outweigh the cons. All what needs to be done is
just be given a chance. The issues that medical marijuana can fix other than cancer are endless. From
seizures to anorexia, to even Post traumatic Stress disorder, which is a huge issue especially within
soldiers returning home from Afghanistan? Medical marijuana may seem like a dangerous drug that
can lead to bigger problems in the long run, but the truth is that it is an innovation to the medical
industry. It can change medicine forever. It is the gateway to a better future. The answer to a better
tomorrow is right in front of us, we just need to open our eyes and see.



By: Omar Alkhatib
1
st
period
AP English III
Ramirez


Bibliography
1. Gupta, Sanjay, Weed. CNN, 2013. Web. 17 Dec 2013.
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3IMfIQ_K6U>.
This documentary basically just showed how marijuana can be utilized as a tool to help save lives
and make lives better.
Bias: Well throughout the documentary there is nothing shown from the side of people who
oppose marijuana, it only depicted people who were for the use of it.
2. ACP, "Should Marijuana Be a Medical Option?." 15 FEB
2008. "Supporting Research into the Therapeutic Role of
Marijuana", Web. 17 Dec. 2013.
<http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.answers.php?que
stionID=001325>.
This page was basically many peoples opinions over whether marijuana should or should not be
legalized. The range of people interviewed ranged from celebrities to doctors to even politicians, who
all had very interesting views on the herb.
Bias: There is no bias at all on this page because all the information presented were quotes from
people and all opinions expressed were not all just for or against legalization. It was very even and fair.
2. Jacques, Renee, and Todd Van Luling. "This Is Why
Marijuana Should Be Legal Everywhere." Huffington
Post. (2013): 1. Web. 17 Dec. 2013.
This article stated that 58 percent of Americans are in favor of legalization of marijuana. It
stated that it has never killed anyone that 40% of people have already admitted to using it.
By: Omar Alkhatib
1
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AP English III
Ramirez
That its safer than some legalized drugs, and that basically there are very little if any
downsides to marijuana.
Bias: The writers themselves are Pro-legalization so of course they will support it.
4. Legalizing marijuana is the best thing for America. 2013.
Photograph. marijuana.com Web. 17 Dec 2013.
<http://www.marijuana.com/news/wp-
content/uploads/2012/04/Screen-shot-2012-04-06-at-
3.00.54-PM.png>.
Its a simple picture with a marijuana leaf and the words Legalize, Regulate, Educate, Medicate
Bias: The site itself is pro marijuana.
5. Bekiempis, Victoria. "Can Cannabis Cure Cancer?"
Newsweek 1 Nov. 2013: 1. Opposing Viewpoints in Context.
Web. 17 Dec. 2013
An English researcher found that cannabis kills cancer cells. He even found a way to use cannabis
without feeling the effects of THC, which contributes to getting high. Some strains kill cancer cells
while others slow their growth, so a combination can work as a sort of double punch that can
effectively neutralize cancer.
Bias: There isnt any from what Ive found. The researcher is basically stating what he found. There is
no bias when facts support an idea