Drug Legalization

Annotated Bibliography:

Drug Legalization Bearman, David.

“Marijuana Has Been Proven to Effectively Treat Many Medical Conditions.” Medical Marijuana. Ed. Noël Merino. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2011. Current Controversies. Rpt. from “Medical Marijuana: Scientific Mechanisms and Clinical Indications.” www.davidbearmanmd.com. 1-18. Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 19 Oct. 2012. Though most people argue that consumption of marijuana affects an individual health, Bearman, in his article, provides a peculiar response on the effectiveness of Marijuana in treating variety of medical conditions. He purports that Marijuana has been in United States Pharmacopeia for close to a century—between 1854 and 1941—and it was among the most recommended ingredients for patent medicines. Renowned companies—such as Parke-Davis—contained cannabis in their products. With the advent of technology in the economy, modern doctors did not believe that natural growing plant like marijuana can be as effective as manufactured medicines. The government increased taxation on marijuana, and pharmaceuticals refused to use the product. The final blow was the introduction of Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (1938), which restricted the use of Cannabis. Since then, the federal government has been an obstacle to the pharmaceutics’ use of this medicinal product. The government research focused on analyzing the negative effects of the product rather than assessing its positive implications in the society. National Drug and Control Policy (NDCP) board pointed out that there is no proven significance of using cannabis as a medicine (3); though most of the researches undertaken have produced positive results. Indeed, 20th century saw a breakthrough in modern study as the research undertaken in 1949 showed that cannabis was crucial in dealing with seizures. It was tested on different patients and the results were positive. In addition, in 1985 a study on this drug showed that it possesses therapeutic benefits and the government approved the use of synthetic delta-9-THC. At the beginning of 21st century, another breakthrough was realized when the study conducted by University of California showed that smoking cannabis reduces daily pain by at least 34%. Bearman argues that not all conditions can be treated by smoking cannabis. Some of the main conditions treated by the drug include pain, migraine, nausea, and depression. Other conditions that are treated by cannabis include glaucoma, seizures, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and peripheral neuropathy. Despite these numerous benefits of medical marijuana, most of the critiques have been bombarded to its effectiveness though they do not have a concrete evidence to support their arguments. Currently, all walks of life have publicly supported the use of medicinal marijuana. Some of these leading figures is Dr. Joycelyn Elders—former surgeon general in U.S., Dr. Andrea Barthwell—former deputy director in the office of NDCP, and Bob Barr—former member of US House of Representatives. The medicinal effects of Marijuana are intervened by the endocannabinoid system. An increase in the amount of cannabinoids will increase the amount of neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. An individual who suffers migraines will use cannabis to increase the speed of neurotransmission which, in turn, lowers the rate of neural impulses; thereby mitigating the severity of migraine. The same response will be felt by patients with panic attacks, nausea, and other ailments. Currently, federal government is undecided on whether to allow the use of medicinal marijuana for treating ailments or they should continue illegalizing the drug. In the case where suppliers are not caught by the government, either through corruption or bribery, the profit outlay is huge. Becker, Gary. “The War on Drugs Cannot Be Won by Fighting Drug Trafficking.” Drug Trafficking. Ed. Karin L. Swisher. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1991. Current Controversies. Rpt. from “The Failure of the War on Drugs.” Becker-Posner Blog 20 Mar. 2005. Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 23 Sep. 2012. Since the history of American presidents, war on drugs has been their top-most priority. Drugs, such as Cocaine, Cannabis, hashish, heroin, among others, have been prohibited. However, not a single president has realized success in this war. Trade on illegal drugs has blossomed, as the demand for these drugs have increased tremendously. The suppliers and producers of these products have faced stringent laws. Government has imposed severe punishment on traders involved with illegal transactions. The high punishment costs that the suppliers of drugs are charged has been transferred to the consumers by increasing its prices. Inefficiency in drug policy, in United States and across the globe, has been facilitated by the increase in corruption in the top government officials. As the drug is illegal, the suppliers have increased the prices of the commodity in order to cushion themselves in case they were caught. The demand for marijuana is inelastic implying that an increase in prices would decrease its consumption but would not be proportionate. For instance, an increase in 50% of the drug price would decrease its consumption rate by 25%. Becker posits that as the price of drugs increases, real spending on illegal drugs increases—in the above example, it increases by 25% when the drug prices increase by 50%. Although the government perceives that the increase in cost outlay has affected the suppliers’ ways of undertaking their operations, the cost has been shifted to consumers and government. In the case of consumers, the increase in drug prices aims at facilitating the supplier with sufficient funds for bribery payments, killing competitors, avoiding detention, and using dangerous and primitive production methods. On the side of government, the cost has been shifted to increased number of police officers to fight against the drug, wasting of court time in arresting offenders, and imprisonment costs—estimated to be about $40,000 per year for each prisoner. Fighting against drug is not a solution. Becker points out that the drug should be legalized and charged excise duty; thereby, making good use of the product. The tax revenue collected would enable the government to finance other operations rather than incurring cost on imprisonment of drug traffickers. As huge percentage of drug revenue goes to drug cartels. Legalizing the drug would ensure that the revenue would be collected by the government. Currently, there are underground suppliers, legalizing the drug would ensure that underground operations are minimized. Kraus, Mark L. “Legalizing Medical Marijuana Is Not a Good Idea.” Medical Marijuana. Ed. Noël Merino. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2011. Current Controversies. Rpt. From “The Dangers of Legalizing Medical Marijuana: A Physician’s Perspective.” 2007. Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 19 Oct. 2012. Kraus believes that there is no scientific evidence to ascertain that marijuana can be used as a medicinal product. He purports that Marijuana is not a conventional drug that should be relied upon as it contains life-altering properties that can be dangerous to the life of an individual. Unlike conventional drugs, marijuana has not been scrutinized by scientists, and no proven record has been established on its effectiveness in mitigating vomiting and nausea, treating pain, or wasting syndrome. The article highlighted reasons for not being perceived as conventional drugs. First, conventional drugs are either administered intravenously, orally, or intramuscularly, but marijuana is administered through smoking. Smoked marijuana contains toxic compounds that causes emphysema and lung cancer. Secondly, the smoke emitted from marijuana contains toxic substances that cause inflammation of lungs. As such, the lungs vital defense against microorganisms causing infections is reduced due to interference with alveolar macrophages. Finally, smoking marijuana causes high blood pressure and also alters reproductive system. An effective way of treating infections should not be relied on unproven medicinal products like marijuana, but drugs that have been certified are well-acceptable. Some ailments are advocated to be treated by smoking marijuana; however, there are alternative drugs that are scientifically proven, which can treat the same ailments. Some of these drugs include Marinol, which treats chronic pain, nausea, vomiting and wasting syndrome. Unlike smoking marijuana, Marinol is a chemical compound that is safe to use, has no side effect, and one can ascertain proper dosing from medical practitioners. Kraus, a medical practitioner, issues message to the public on behalf of the medical specialists that smokable marijuana should not be legalized if the government is willing to realize economic development and growth. When the government lessened the current control system on the use of marijuana, then it would worsen the already severe societal problem. The article proposes that smokable marijuana should not be accepted as a medicinal drug. Physicians should comply with the Hippocratic Oath, which requires that medical practitioners should not administer drugs that are harmful to the patient. Miller, Henry I. “Crude Marijuana Is Not a Safe or Effective Medicine.” Medical Marijuana. Ed. Noël Merino. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2011. Current Controversies. Rpt. From “The Straight Dope on ‘Medical Marijuana,’.” TCS Daily. 2006. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 19 Oct. 2012. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stipulates that there is no sufficient scientific evidence that medicinal marijuana is safe for medical use. Though it has been purported that medicinal marijuana can cure vomiting and nausea, its effects are severe. FDA, however, has not outlined the specific medicinal treatment that marijuana should not treat rather provides that it should not be used for general medical treatment. The position of FDA is consistent with the 1999 report of Institute of Medicine (IOM) on medicinal marijuana. The report outlined that using marijuana for medical treatments is not approved and has a long-term effects on the users. The report recommended short-term use of medicinal marijuana, probably for 6 months, and should be used by patients with devastating conditions such as vomiting or intractable pain. FDA supports the legal standards and regulations that were issued by IOM on its report. The standard requires that the sufficient evidence should be provided on the safety and effectiveness of a drug before it is marketed in the economy. In this context, the issue of evidence implied that it should be a data from a qualified and recognized medical practitioner, and should have been careful designed for clinical trials. Although there is no justification on whether cannabis should be treated differently from other pharmaceutical products, it cannot be a medicine because it does not have specific dose, lacks formulation, and there is no standardized composition of its raw materials. Sativex, which is a cannabis-derived drug, has been approved by FDA prompting the society to believe that in the next decade, cannabis would have been certified to be a medicinal drug. However, as the testing of cannabinoids-containing drugs is a continuous process, FDA should ensure that the practice is not hindered by religious instincts or political agendas. National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). “Marijuana Should Be Legalized for Medical Use.” Drug Legalization. Noël Merino. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. Current Controversies. Rpt. from “Working to Reform Marijuana Laws: Medical Use.” 2008. 1-3. Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 19 Oct. 2012. The article provides that marijuana has been used for medicinal practices for over 5,000 years. Western countries have embraced its use since the mid of 19th century, and they have provided evidence to ascertain that marijuana can be used to treat some ailments. Some of the clinical applications of marijuana, as provided by NORML, include treatment of neuropathic pain, spasticity, movement disorders, nausea, and glaucoma. Until recently, international corporations have undertaken various research on the drug—majority of them providing favorable findings on medicinal marijuana. The current medical field supports the legalization of medicinal marijuana, only under a medical practitioner’s supervision. Study has shown that 50% of the physicians would prefer to administer marijuana therapy to the patients if it was legalized. The findings by IOM in 1982 denoted a positive implication on the use of marijuana as a medicinal drug. In 1998, Britain’s House of Lords’ Science and Technology Committee stated that there is sufficient evidence to legalize cannabis for medical use. The same favorable conclusion was also reached by U.S. investigators who conducted a study on effectiveness and reliability of medicinal marijuana. Nevertheless, as was predicted, the federal government continued to prohibit the use of medicinal cannabis as stipulated by IOM’s recommendations. In 1972, NORML raised the issue and wanted the drug to be reclassified under the Controlled Substances Act as a Schedule II rather than Schedule I. This would enable physicians to legally prescribe the drug to the patients. It has been ascertained that the drug is the best cure for most of the ailments. The public support for legalizing marijuana has been tremendous. Voters across the thirteen states proposed for initiatives that exempt patients who are using medicinal marijuana from criminal penalties; especially those under the supervision of physicians. The Supreme Court ruled that there will be no exception for using medicinal marijuana by either medical practitioner’s use or the public. However, NORML is of the opinion that medical practitioners should be exempted from the federal law on marijuana. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. “Marijuana Is Dangerous.” Marijuana. Ed. Mary E. Williams. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2003. At Issue. Rpt. from “The DEA Position on Marijuana.” 2008. Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 19 Oct. 2012. Under no consideration will legalizing of marijuana have positive implications on the society. According to the U.S. drug enforcement report, youths are normally addicted to smoking marijuana as they have developed dependency on the use of the drug. In addition, dependence on marijuana would lead to development of withdrawal symptoms, which are normally associated with changes in the victims’ behavior. In 2003, treatment admissions accounted to 15% of all admissions in the medical institutions. Patients have been known to use other illicit drugs—such as heroin and cocaine—after using marijuana. The drug is normally used by adolescents, as adult users are rarely dependent on the drug. Legal counsel, judges, and healthcare workers have indicated that medicinal marijuana is a precursor to methamphetamine; an addictive drug. Consequently, the article provides that the use of marijuana would have adverse medical effects on an individual’s health. The severity of health condition is felt when the patient has mental problem especially on teenagers. Many of the suicidal thoughts, depression, and schizophrenia are attributed to smoking marijuana. It has also been associated with respiratory problems such as phlegm production, coughing, wheezing, and chronic bronchitis. Apart from respiratory problems, smoking marijuana leads to reckless driving and irresponsible behavior. Accidents that have occurred across the globe have been associated with drug abuse. Marijuana weakens an individual’s ability to drive safely, and fatal accidents have been caused by reckless driving. Spread of HIV/AIDS is majorly attributed to drug abuse in the society. Though marijuana, unlike other drugs, does not involve piercing or use of syringe to administer the drug, spread of HIV/AIDS has been facilitated by reckless behavior. In analyzing the effects of marijuana on a marijuana-impaired driving, the article provides that the result is normally death. The federal government needs to undertake strategies that will ensure marijuana-impaired driver is not allowed to drive. Reports have indicated that the number of people who have died on road accident due to the reckless driving have increased over the past few decades. It is vital for the public to restrain themselves from boarding vehicles—whether public service or private—that are driven by marijuana-impaired drivers.