Discussions about medical benefits and side effects of Marijuana are no good if one does not understand that Marijuana has been a highly controversial drug and illegal for almost half a century. At one time Marijuana was sold in elixirs over the counter, but so were cocaine, morphine, and opium. In the present day, however, Marijuana is legal in four states recreationally and medically and legal in 25 total states medically.
Over the last few decades, there has been a resurgence of the fight for the legalization of Marijuana. In 1996 California was the first state to legalize Marijuana. After that, many other states took on the fight to legalize this drug.
For a new user that is wanting to use Marijuana for medical purposes, the state laws need to be known. Every state has different laws for medical Marijuana and different repercussions if it is against the law to use Marijuana medically or recreationally. Federally this drug is still illegal and considered a class 1 narcotic. Class 1 narcotic means that there is no medical value. In 2016 that may change. Marijuana may be up for reclassification due to much of the research being done. That research is ever growing and broadening to understand better what potential Marijuana has medically.
There are countries that have already legalized Marijuana. Some examples are Uruguay, Spain, and North Korea. Portugal has decriminalized all drugs. In many countries, Marijuana is illegal but tolerated or has limits for medical use. A few countries have supported medical research on Marijuana. Some of the countries are Germany, Canada, and Israel. I the U.S. research is limited and very hard to obtain federal permission due to the narcotic classification one status.
What does the future of research of Marijuana and its’ components look like? Very positive. As earlier mentioned a change in the classification of this drug could open doors to broader research. Marijuana is already known for help with Glaucoma, helping relieve the side effects of cancer treatment, and pain relief in joints. More extensive research is desired for studies on the effects of Marijuana on Muscular Dystrophy. Research on cannabinoids, a component of Marijuana, is highly desired because of what influence they may have on cancer cells, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Tourette’s Syndrome, autoimmune diseases, and seizures.
Changes in the U.S. in the legalization of Marijuana in 2016 are just around the corner. Some states are voting to allow the use of medical marijuana. Some are voting to change their present laws on medical Marijuana and allow recreational use legally. At least seven states are included in the 2016 vote. Those include Maine, Michigan, Ohio, California, Arizona, Nevada, and Massachusetts.
To sum up, Marijuana is going to be a topic of conversation among neighbors, as well as politicians. There are going to be people for and against its use and legalization. Nevertheless, Marijuana has validity to be used in medical research for its potential in helping people. Hopefully, legal roads will continue to open up.
