Introduction
At ten, I began using marijuana or developing a cannabis addiction. Growing up in the streets of San Francisco, I began smoking marijuana at an early age to help me cope with the stresses of life. I started smoking with my uncle Jesse, who suffered from severe arthritis in his fingers and battled psoriasis. I recall when he smoked and when he was not taking his meds. When he was not medicated, he was grumpy and in much pain. Even though marijuana was greatly frowned upon when I was young, I was able to recognize the benefits of it. Every time I took a puff, my mother would warn me that I was murdering brain cells.
Nonetheless, because I was known for having a nasty temper, using marijuana calmed me down. It also made me forget about all of our family’s difficulties. As a result, marijuana provided me with a pleasant and contented world. It was also essential in making me feel better and reducing anxiety in stressful social situations (Lincoln, 2019). Because of how concentrated I had become, I could better grasp my academics in school. There was a time when I smoked, but I stopped when I joined the Army. Many of my former soldiers and I would still be in if the military permitted it.
Legalization of Marijuana by Federal Government
My study is primarily based on my personal experiences as a teenager and how marijuana has aided my mental health. Despite this, most people in many societies have a negative perception of marijuana or cannabis due to misunderstanding its function in aiding most individuals who have an addiction. Most people still consume alcohol, even though it kills more people than marijuana, and most people still celebrate by drinking or ingesting alcohol. Typically, this medication is a plant that has been utilized for over a thousand years to cure a variety of ailments. As a result, there is nothing wrong with consuming marijuana; it is only that we are now convinced that cannabis is not suited for human consumption.
The federal legalization of marijuana use has sparked passionate discussion across the United States. Several states have legalized marijuana for therapeutic purposes, while others have made it illegal for both clinical and recreational use. However, both opponents and supporters of marijuana legalization in the United States. Different concerns have been expressed about delivering medical cannabis to patients when used as a medicine. The discussion on this issue is centered on the legal, moral, and societal ramifications of using medical marijuana. The form of drug administration, packaging and distribution, and hazardous health effects associated with bhang intoxication is only a few of the frequently mentioned topics. Despite the risks, cannabis has favorable effects, particularly when taken as a drug, and should be legalized by the US federal government.
Control and Treatment of Diseases
Bhang, or cannabis, and its derivatives, such as cannabinoid medicines, prevent disease symptoms and even treat some illnesses. Some marijuana-related clinical research has shown that it can help with chronic non-cancer pain (Bridgeman & Abazia, 2017). Smoked cannabis, oromucosal extracts of cannabis-based medication, and dronabinol, among other cannabis consumables, have been reported to alleviate pain (Bridgeman & Abazia, 2017). Rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, mixed chronic aches, and neuropathic pain are some of the pain disorders that cannabis may help to alleviate (Bridgeman & Abazia, 2017). When interviewed, my uncle Jesse (personal contact, November 2021) expressed satisfaction with the direction and increased understanding of marijuana in recent years.. “Back in my day, I had to travel three buses to the projects to receive the excellent medication,” he proudly stated. I may now have it delivered to me. It is even rolled up and ready to smoke when you get it. I cannot twist this because my fingers are so crooked now” (personal contact, November 2021). Even though his arthritis has progressed and he has lost most of the motor function in his fingers, he stays cheerful.
Other ailments, including neurological problems, are treated with cannabis. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a component of marijuana, is particularly effective in reducing patient-reported spasticity (Bridgeman & Abazia, 2017). Another scientific investigation was carried out on 48 epileptic patients to examine if cannabidiol (CBD) had any effect on them. According to the data, CBD seems to have no noticeable impacts (Bridgeman & Abazia, 2017). Moreover, marijuana based meds can help with chemotherapy-incited sickness and heaving that doesn’t react to customary antiemetics. Besides, restorative medications dependent on THC, like dronabinol, have been supported for long haul utilization as an antiemetic in the United States (Bridgeman and Abazia, 2017). Arguably, the federal government should legalize marijuana use because the substance has medical value.
Medical Guidance and Safety of Patients
In addition, the federal government should legalize cannabis to allow patients to seek professional advice from doctors who are now uncomfortable due to marijuana’s illegal status. Juan (personal communication, November 2021), my marijuana delivery driver, acknowledged that marijuana consumers should visit cannabis businesses to learn about different strains that might be beneficial to them. There are a variety of marijuana strains designed to aid with pain relief or sleep. Some scientific investigations have shown unfavorable reports of patients who consume marijuana without a prescription from their doctors. Surprisingly, the patient’s conduct can be explained as either fear or shame over how to escalate their problem. The likelihood of marijuana interfering with their initial therapy grows if they do not report the matter (Burling, 2021). This situation can only be reversed if medical marijuana use is declared legal in the United States.
The safe use of marijuana by immunocompromised people depends on the legalization of cannabis for therapeutic purposes. The only way to ensure that cannabis products are used safely in pharmaceuticals is to remove the legal impediments to their use. Patients with weakened immune systems are frequently misled about where they may get illicit cannabis, which poses a serious health risk due to contaminants (Burling, 2021). Ramy, a childhood pal, has an immunological deficiency. Ramy recently told me about how marijuana he bought on the street nearly put him in the hospital after discovering the plant had developed mildew. In reality, many people are unaware that the quality of cannabis-based goods differs (Burling, 2021). As a result, legalizing cannabis for use in pharmaceuticals allows the federal government to keep track of the quality of marijuana taken by its immunocompromised patients.
Working Relationship between Government Institutions and Enhanced Research Capacity
In an ideal world, the US federal government would improve its institutions to fulfill its constitutional obligations. It indicates that allowing medicinal cannabis to be used by the government aids in strengthening the responsibilities of an agency like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has already approved the use of THC-based drugs to treat certain disorders (NIDA, 2020). Cesamet, a THC-based medication, has been licensed by the FDA to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting (NIDA, 2020). Because the legislation allowing the use of medicinal marijuana has been ratified, the Department of Agriculture (DFA) will work closely with the government’s legislative branch to ensure that services are delivered efficiently.
Furthermore, the licensing of medical cannabis is extremely beneficial to the US government’s research capabilities. The federal government’s approval of marijuana usage for therapeutic purposes promotes improved research to develop safe medications (NIDA, 2020). Because opponents of including cannabis-based products in medicine have expressed concerns, legalizing bhang as a medicine assures that improved administration techniques and prescriptions be developed. In effect, the FDA will quickly determine safe dosages for marijuana-based medications (NIDA, 2020). As a result, the large research space helps stabilize the health sector, which is an essential part of the US federal government.
Legislative Harmonization and Full Attainment of Goals
Above all, the central government ought to permit the utilization of clinical weed to accommodate the various state laws controlling the substance. Truly, a few states have legitimized cannabis for remedial use, while others have not. As a result, persons using cannabis-based medications cannot travel freely across state boundaries and jurisdictions due to legal prohibitions (Tishler, 2021). It also implies that a person can receive much-needed medications but cannot transport them to another state. As a result, it becomes even more critical to clear up any misunderstandings about the use of cannabis-based therapies because, under federal legislation, unrestricted movement of medicinal marijuana is guaranteed.
Again, legalizing cannabis-based pharmaceuticals is critical to ensuring that all people of the United States benefit completely from medicinal marijuana. The benefits of medicinal cannabis cannot be completely appreciated due to the misunderstanding resulting from state-by-state variances in cannabis regulation (Tishler, 2021). The differences are reflected in the regulations controlling the packaging, manufacture, and sale of marijuana medications (Tishler, 2021). Many states have laws addressing issues like ingredients. However, the rules differ from state to state. As a result, national standards are unavoidable to reconcile the existing legislation on medical cannabis. Decriminalizing marijuana for medical purposes encourages all patients within the geographical boundaries to recognize the drug’s benefits more practically.
A Case Example
A current instance illustrating the impact of medical marijuana on a patient also emphasizes the need of the US federal government to legalize cannabis-based treatments. This case is an interview with someone who has firsthand experience with the side effects of cannabis-based medicine. The interviewer observes how a guy with Parkinson’s disease acts before and after taking a treatment containing medical marijuana in the video (Ride with Larry, 2016). The patient has trembling fists and appears to have defective motor abilities prior to taking medicine. He utilizes these findings to track the changes linked to medical cannabis usage.
Some observations are made after the patient has consumed the medicine containing the therapeutic bhang. After a droplet of the medicine was injected into the patient’s mouth, the dyskinesia was found to have subsided (Ride with Larry, 2016). According to science, the treatment helps patients with Parkinson’s disease get rid of their symptoms by enhancing specific branches of the endocannabinoid system required for motor activity. Surprisingly, the patient appears to be more stable than before swallowing the drug (Ride with Larry, 2016). The patient’s proof, along with how he passes on his disappointment, shows that the national government ought to permit the utilization of weed for helpful purposes.
Veterans, Medical Marijuana and the VA
Currently, Virginia doctors cannot supply or recommend medicinal marijuana to veterans due to the federal government’s classification of cannabis as a drug on Schedule 1 and hence illegal. As a result, veterans should not bring any marijuana into a VA hospital, even if supplied through a federally recognized medical marijuana program. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans who participate in state-approved medical marijuana programs will not be denied VA benefits. Clinicians from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can talk to experienced patients about cannabis use and adjust their care and treatment plans as needed (Browne et al., 2021). As part of their confidential medical records, veterans are urged to disclose their usage of medicinal marijuana with VA clinicians. The VA does not cover medical marijuana prescriptions from any source. In addition, the VA provider fails to complete the necessary documentation and forms for veterans to engage in a federally licensed medicinal marijuana program.
However, anecdotal information from veterans reveals that VA standards and real patient experience may differ when prescription medical marijuana users attend a federal (VA) hospital. Besides, despite the fact that cannabis has been sanctioned for clinical and sporting use in various states, it is as yet unlawful under government law. As per the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, “any individual who utilizes or is dependent on pot, whether or not the state has laws approving cannabis for helpful objects, is an unlawful client of a controlled substance” (Turna & MacKillop, 2021, n.p). Counting on Firearms or Ammunition Possession Even in places where medical marijuana is allowed, some legislatures have taken steps to restore registered medical marijuana users’ second amendment rights. It is important to remember that federal legislation is still in effect.
Those using marijuana to address Post-traumatic stress disorder or other service-related medical issues may be afraid to notify their VA physicians about it for fear of losing their VA benefits. Patients in states that allow medicinal marijuana must go through a screening process before legally buying marijuana from a state-licensed dispensary. In Illinois, for instance, the candidate should always be tested for several symptoms, such as chronic pain, PTSD, and debilitating disorders such as fibromyalgia (Turna & MacKillop, 2021). Many veterans would naturally turn to their VA caregiver for this certification since Illinois mandates that the applicant have a physician’s approval for marijuana. On the other hand, VA regulation prevents VA doctors and care providers from participating in this procedure, including aiding with the documentation required by the state for MMJ cards; VA patients would have to obtain certification from a non-VA institution.
One alternative for vets who want access to marijuana is to see a doctor outside of the VA system and pay the cost themselves, and it may be costly. Marijuana use, even for those who can afford it, may imperil their VA prescription medications. According to veterans, patients taking opioid analgesics are subjected to semi-regular medication screening by the VA to search for potentially dangerous drug combinations. Veterans’ opioid prescriptions may be revoked if they test positive for marijuana. Cannabis has a horrible self-destruction rate among narcotic emergency victims and veterans, including the American Veterans Association, Foreign Wars, and Iraqi Veterans, and American Afghan Veterans. As per information, patients at the Department of Veterans Affairs are generally twice as reasonable as everybody to kick the bucket because of an inadvertent excess.
Agents from the Department of Veterans Affairs communicated their issues with the thought. In any case, it is hazy on the off chance that the Government of Veterans Affairs needs to find this way to dispatch an exhaustive weed study or regardless of whether the enactment adequately orders the division to do as such. In locations where there are more alternatives than research, a few measures have been introduced in Congress to broaden access to medicinal marijuana for veterans (Duneman, 2021). Congressman Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore, has reintroduced the Veterans Equal Access Act into the House of Representatives, which permits Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare practitioners to offer recommendations and opinions on medical marijuana and fill out such proposals on a form (Duneman, 2021). Representatives presented legislation in April to legalize cannabis for the treatment of veterans in a safe manner. VA specialists can also assist veterans with filling out applications to enroll in the government’s marijuana program.
Conclusion
In conclusion, medicinal marijuana offers several advantages, particularly when utilized in the clinical setting to treat certain ailments, and the federal government should legalize it. According to much scientific research, medicinal cannabis has the benefit of alleviating the symptoms of several ailments and curing them. Another advantage of medicinal marijuana legalization is that patients will obtain important information and guidance from health experts without fear of being judged or embarrassed. Indeed, the federal government’s passage of laws permitting the use of cannabis-based medications illustrates a close working connection between several US government agencies. Aside from the proof that shows a Parkinson’s disease patient’s health improves after taking medical cannabis, the drug’s legalization can help align various states’ regulations regarding the medication’s use. The legalization of cannabis-based pharmaceuticals will, without a doubt, benefit the whole population of the United States more than the existing scenario.
References
Bridgeman, M., & Abazia, D. (2017). Medicinal marijuana: History, pharmacokinetics, and implications for the acute care setting. Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 42(3), 180-188. Web.
Browne, K. C., Stohl, M., Bohnert, K. M., Saxon, A. J., Fink, D. S., Olfson, M., Cerda, M., Sherman, S., Gradus, J. L., Martins, S. S., & Hasin, D. S. (2021). Prevalence and correlates of cannabis use and cannabis use disorder among U.S. veterans: Results from the national epidemiologic survey on alcohol and related conditions (NESARC-III). American Journal of Psychiatry, appi.ajp.2021.2. Web.
Burling, S. (2021). Many breast cancer patients are using cannabis without telling their doctors, study finds. The Philadelphia Inquirer. Web.
Duneman, N. (2021). Legalizing marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms, and MDMA for medical use. Web.
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). (2020). Is marijuana safe and effective as medicine? Web.
Ride with Larry. (2016). Medicinal cannabis and Parkinson’s segment 3 of 3. [Video]. YouTube. Web.
Tishler, J. (2021). Cannabis legalization must address medical use, not just recreational use. StatNews. Web.
Turna, J., & MacKillop, J. (2021). Cannabis use among military veterans: A great deal to gain or lose?. Clinical psychology review, 101958.
