Introduction
Medical marijuana is used to refer to the use of marijuana as a physician-recommended form of medication in its natural or synthetic form. The use of this naturally occurring substance as a herbal remedy dates back to several millennia, and up to date, it is still used to treat various diseases including arthritis, asthma, epilepsy, leukemia, sickle cell disease, and so on. However, its use has come under strong criticism and as this essay will point out, its use should be banned in Canada and alternative medications should be used.
Mental Disorders
Studies have consistently shown that persons who use marijuana frequently are at a higher risk of developing mental disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, or bipolar disorder than those who have not smoked at all. These side effects arise from the fact that marijuana contains compounds that can catalyze latent mental illnesses. Consequently, patients, especially those suffering from mild or severe mental conditions should not use medicinal marijuana.
In addition, older patients who have not used marijuana before have reported disturbing psychological effects including unpleasant feelings and disorientation after being treated with medicinal marijuana. The cannabinoids found in marijuana can aggravate symptoms among persons with movement disorders or nausea and hence its use should be banned in Canada.
Marijuana may increase the risk of cancer
The use of medicinal marijuana may increase the risk of having cancer, particularly if it is smoked (Jones and Carnegie, 2001). Marijuana smoking causes abnormalities in cells lining the respiratory tract, increasing the risk of a person having respiratory cancer and other respiratory diseases. Besides, similar to tobacco smoke, marijuana smoke can result in a higher probability of lung damage and pregnancy complications.
Although some studies suggest that marijuana can be used as a remedy for cancer-related anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and mood disorders, the researchers do not provide real prevalence estimates to back up such conclusions (Furler et al., 2004). An Institute of Medicine report opined that marijuana smoking introduces toxic chemicals into the body and for this reason, the plant cannot be projected to provide a clearly defined health benefit (Joffe & Yancy, 2004).
Marijuana causes diminished psychomotor performance
The use of marijuana in any form and for any purpose, whether medicinal or as a form of recreation, results in reduced psychomotor performance. This implies that persons who use medicinal marijuana are not advised to operate any vehicle, machinery, or any other potentially dangerous equipment while they are still under the influence of marijuana. Moreover, the short-term immunosuppressive effects of medicinal marijuana have not been well documented, and, even if they existed, cannot warrant the use of the substance since alternative medications with similar or comparable effects but are less harmful are already in the market (O’Connell and Bou-Matar, 2007).
Negative Effects on HIV Progression
One of the most common users of medicinal marijuana in HIV patients, however, studies show that the use of this plant by the patients may have a negative impact on disease progression or drug adherence (Furler e al., 2004). For instance, marijuana smoking has been linked with an increased risk of disease progression, pulmonary aspergillosis, bacterial pneumonia and lowered drug adherence. Most of these effects occur when the marijuana is taken in through smoking. Besides, cannabinoids may have suppressive effects on the expression of several chemokines and cytokines in human T and B cells, natural killer cells eosinophils and macrophages cells. These effects may worsen an HIV patient’s condition.
References
Furler, M. D., et al. (2004). Medicinal and Recreational Marijuana Use by Patients Infected with HIV. AIDS patient care and STDS, 18(4), 215-228.
Joffe, A., and Yancy, W. M. (2004). Legalization of Marijuana: Potential Impact on Youth. Pediatrics, 113(6), e632-e638.
Jones, J., and Carnegie, A. P. (2001). Allow for the Violate Federal Drug laws? Supreme Court Debates 2001, 131-157.
O’Connell, T. J., and Bou-Matar, C. B. (2007). Long term marijuana users seeking medical cannabis in California (2001–2007): demographics, social characteristics, patterns of cannabis and other drug use of 4117 applicants. Harm Reduction Journal, 4(16), 1-7.