Finally, in November, voters in Arizona and California approved that a change in the direction in our drug policy is needed (Zeese 7). The fact that these two states voted toward the lagalization of marijuana has began to prove that Americans are beginning to realize that there are alternate routes to take within the drug war. This was a great step toward the realization that Americans think realistically and are not afraid to deal with their problems. “An open society that recognizes fallibility is a superior form of social organization to a closed society that claims to have all the answers” (Soros 1).
Legalizing cannibis would not only help in medically active agencies, but among the prisons and jails, and among the social recreational use of it. As it is well put by George Soros, “. . . a drug-free America is a utopian dream” (2). The number of drug violators behind bars has increased eightfold since 1980. By criminilizing drug abusers, socitey is harming them. Rather then to put them in jail and contribute to the overcrowding of our jails, small drug abusers should be placed under more effective drug treatement programs. This would not only reduce the number of inmates, but it would be less costly to loyal taxpayers. Government should save the jail space for violent criminals and “predatory drug dealers” (3). “Demonizing drugs can increase their appeal to adolescents, for whom rebellion is often an important passage into adulthood” (4). If society would continue exaggerating the warnings toward drugs, it would be a harmful and fallable step to be taking. This could lead to the undermining of the credibility about the warnings on harder drugs and other issues that young people must deal with daily. By accepting marijuana as a medicinal herb, its appeal to adolescents would surely decrease. Consequently, reduction of marijuana s recreational use would be inevitable.
Marijuana as a medicine has no political complexion. The fact of wether it should be legalized or not is not a liberal issue being opposed by conservative views. Without any doubt, conservatives believe that the doctors should be in charge of determining the credibility of a drug for medical care, not bureaucrats (Yates).
At no point have marijuana supporters claimed that marijuana cures any of the conditions discussed above. However, under controlled and medical supervision, marijuana has succesfully classified itlsef as “one of the safest therapeutically active substance know to man” (Grinspoon and Bakalar). The American people are well aware of the corrective value of marijuana, but “. . . are being victimized by those on the political margins” (Randall and O Leary 16).
Not only does the best scientific research overwhelmingly confirm that cannabis is both an effective medicine and a safe drug, but that it is beneficial for therapeutic life styles. While the drug reformers and the anti-drug forces rant and rave on the public stage, the real story continues behind the scenes. AIDS and cancer patients continue loosing weight and experiencing bouts of nausea while conventional medicine fails. Glaucoma patients continue to suffer while at the same time loosing their eyesight. Victims of multiple sclerosis, paralysis, and other conditions experience intense and debilitating muscle spasms. As the days go by people continue arguing. Meanwhile, patients suffer, loose hope, and die waiting for the miracle drug. Think about it, these patients could be one your loved ones, your mother or your child, or it could even be you. Lost in a swirl of rhetoric, are the suffering patients.
Works Cited
Dunn, M., and D. Ross. “The Perceived Effects of Marijuana on Spinal Cord Injured Males.” Paraplegia 12 (1974): 175.
Ekert, H., et al. “Amelioration of Cancer Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Vomiting by Delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol.” Medical Journal of Australia Vol. 2. (1979): 657-659.
Grinspoon, Lester, and James B. Bakalar. Marihuana: The Forbidden Medicine. New Haven Yale University Press, 1993.
Meinck, H. M., P. W. Schonle, and B. Conrad. “Effects of Cannabinoids on Spasticity and Ataxia in Multiple Sclerosis.” Journal of Neurology 236 (1989): 120-122.
Merrit, J. C., et al. “Topical Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Aqueous Dynamics in Galucoma.” Journal of Clinical Pharmecology 21 (1981): 467S-471S.
Mikuriya, Tod. “Therapeutic Potential and Medical Uses of Marijuana.” Jounral of Pshycoactive Drugs 14 (1982) 239-241.
Petro, D., and C. Ellenberg, Jr. “Treatment of Human Spasticity with Delta-9- Tetrahydrocannabinol.” Journal of Clinical Pharmecology. 21 (1980): 413S- 416S.
Randall, Robert C., and Alice M. O Leary. Marijuana as Medicine: A Recent History (1979-1997) With Recommendations. America On Line. Downloaded on 11/4/97. http://marijuana-as-medicine.org/rev2.html
Soros, George. “It s Time to Just Say No To Self-Destructive Prohibition.” Washington Post. 2 Feb. 1997: np.
Wesner, Ben. “The Medical Use Among PWA s: Reports of Therapeutic Use and Attitudes Toward Legal Reform.” Working Paper Series No. 3. June 1996: np.
Yates, Dennis M. The Legalization of Marijuana: Part I. America On Line. Donwloaded on 11/4/97. http://www.magic.mb.ca/ lampi/drugs/Cannibis/mj_legalization1.txt
Zeese, Kevin B, Research Findings on Medical Properties of Marijuana. America On Line. Downloaded on 11/4/97.http://www.lindesmith.org/mmjcsdp.html
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