Medical Marijuana: The Pros and Cons

Over the past twenty-seven years there has been much debate in America about medicinal marijuana and its effects on the human body. Many people argue that marijuana is an effective treatment for those suffering from Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease. While marijuana may work well for these patients, it is not a remedy for all.

Marijuana has many soothing effects, that can ease the pain of a chronic illness, or a severe injury. A friend of mine, named "Gary", used prescribed medical marijuana pills to help his suffering from pancreatic cancer. He told me on many occasions how the pills turned the degree of his pain down, and allowed him to function throughout a day without too much trouble. He also revealed that the pills increased his appetite, which had been severely degraded as a result of his chemo treatments. They were specially manufactured pills that did not contain the element, THC [Tetrahydrocannibinol].

THC is a hallucinogen that produces a sense of euphoria, with a heightened stress on the five major senses. It can, however, cause many people under its effect to experience a heightened paranoia, or fear of things around them. With all of these fun, but somewhat dangerous effects, marijuana in medical form has to be altered.

The benefits of medical marijuana are great, but the negative influences on one's psychology are a concern. Long term use of the drug can lead to memory loss, both short term and long term. It also creates a sense of complacency, or lack of will. Science has not proven if marijuana, when smoked, causes lung cancer, but many report experiencing shortness of breath and other breathing problems associated with smoking it.