Introduction

Euphoria, relaxation, an increased awareness and consequent healing along with a sense of relief from pain are experiences that have dated back to the beginning of time. Ever since, man has searched for ways to dampen physical pain due to ailments and according to religious texts has been bestowed with a plant which is believed to have supernatural curative powers along with the ability to provide an uplifting experience. This plant is cannabis (more popularly known as marijuana)

The Scythians used marijuana to induce a state of trance that apparently allowed them to feel closer to their maker. In ancient Africa, it was used as an antiseptic and to cure rheumatism, delirium, cramps and to restore appetite. In ancient India its documentation in the religious Hindu texts dates back to as early as 1500 B.C. which state that wise consumption allowed the user to evade the miseries of hell and unite with Lord Shiva who revered the plant. It was also used freely in Central Asia, China, Europe, Jamaica and America under similar pretexts.

If marijuana does possess these divine healing qualities, why has it been criminalised and its users jailed, incarcerated or worse? This blog will aim to provide an answer to a highly controversial and debated question. Should medical marijuana be legalised?

Medical Marijuana as opposed to other pharmaceutical drugs

According to experts at the Health Centre of the McGill University Canada, marijuana can be used to reduce chronic neurological pain. A study conducted by the researchers concluded that marijuana had relatively lesser side-effects in comparison to most pharmaceutical drugs. According to the study, the main ingredient of marijuana, tetrahydrocannibinol (THC) possesses psychotropic and analgesic properties which are responsible for providing relief from chronic pain. Along with pain relief it uplifts the users mood allowing him to deal with severe pain with ease. The researchers also mentioned that smoking cannabis assist an individual to sleep better and restore appetite with those suffering from tuberculosis.

In New Zealand, the use and propagation of medical marijuana for those who are in dire need of pain relief has been embraced with loving arms by the NZMA (New Zealand Medical Association) who have time and time again requested the government to take the same stance. "The NZMA has said it supports a law Commission proposal which allows patients to use cannabis under medical supervision" said Phil Saxby, president of NORML New Zealand. When asked about current users and the government's stance on the issue, he also went on to say that "...many of the thousands of New Zealanders who currently find relief from pain and other conditions in their use of cannabis, the Justice Minister seems content to have them branded as criminals"

A study conducted in Germany concluded that marijuana could be used to prevent epilepsy in some patients. The study suggests that the brain "produces natural cannabis like substances to calm hyperactive brain cells" (NORML, 2003) The researchers described this finding, which allegedly was also documented from the 15th century onwards as a "promising therapeutic target" in the treatment and prevention of epilepsy.

Statistics indicate that there has Never been any recorded evidence of a direct link between the usage of marijuana and death to its user. If that is the case, then why does it still remain classified as a drug and is not available as a prescription?

The Truth about Marijuana - Addiction

After tobacco and alcohol, marijuana is the third most popular recreational drug in New Zealand. The reason for this is simple, it is highly addictive. Some people may be thinking, alcohol and tobacco can be equally addictive and are quite clearly more lethal than marijuana, considering tobacco ranks first and the number of deaths caused by alcohol takes second place on the podium of death.

Given that as a fact, it is safe to say that marijuana due to its psychoactive properties has the ability to cause severe brain damage at a much faster rate as opposed to the latter.

Also, marijuana along with alcohol and tobacco is considered to be a gateway drug.  The chances of an individual getting addicted to much harder illicit drugs after smoking marijuana are much higher than that of an individual addicted to either of the other two.

This gateway drug theory therefore, suggests that the only reason marijuana has been criminalised is because there is a very high chance of a user moving on and getting addicted to other substances.

In my opinion...

marijuana is a substance (THC) that exists naturally and like almost every pharmaceutical drug alters the state of mind of the individual who consumes it.
It possesses the ability to cure chronic pain and provide relief to those suffering from numerous conditions. I do not condone the use of marijuana recreationally but strongly believe that it should be made available on prescription to those who are in need of its pain relief properties.
After all, it grows in nature like every other plant and turns into a drug only if it is synthesized. In its pure form, marijuana should be decriminalised, taxed by the government and grown by the state.

Now to address the matter of addiction,

• It is crucial to alert children about the dangers of consuming any drug including alcohol and tobacco. The important bit is to address the matter at the appropriate age. According to me teenagers and adoloscents are the most easily influenced so 13-15 would be an appropriate age to start educating about drugs.
• If made legal, the charges for possessing marijuana without a prescription should be strict in order to enforce discipline and order among the general population. This is in regard only to adults, whereas in the case of minors the punishment MUST be lenient because children are the future of any nation and they almost always deserve a second chance.
• Those addicted to smoking marijuana should be subjected to the same therapy and consultation given to those addicted to tobacco and alcohol.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that there is one major advantage to decriminalising marijuana intended for medicinal purposes. It will cause a sharp decline in drug related crimes and the justice system will be able to focus on more important matters of concern such as violent crimes and other anti-social behaviour.

References

BBC News. (2003). Cannabis 'could help epileptics'. Retrieved September 11, 2010, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3162000.stm 



Cannabis in New Zealand. (2010). In Wikipedia. Retrieved September 9, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_in_New_Zealand


Elliot, S. (2010). New Zealand Medical Association Supports Medical Marijuana. Retrieved September 9, 2010, from http://www.tokeofthetown.com/2010/06/new_zealand_medical_association_supports_medical_m.php


Erowid. (2010). Cannabis Effects. Retrieved September 12, 2010, from http://www.erowid.org/plants/cannabis/cannabis_effects.shtml


Introduction to Medical Cannabis. (n.d.). Retrieved September 11, 2010, from http://www.ukcia.org/medical/introduction.php


New Zealand Ministry of Health. (2001). New Zealand Drug Statistics. Retrieved September 10, 2010, from http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/drug-statistics-2001?Open

Sharma, R. (2010). Cannabis Found to be Less Harmful than Pharmaceutical Drugs. Retrieved September 9, 2010, from http://topnews.co.uk/213604-cannabis-found-be-less-harmful-pharmaceutical-drugs