Medical Benefits of Cannabis (Essay Sample)

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Medical Benefits of Cannabis
Medical cannabis is the use of cannabinoids contained in the plant to treat or alleviate certain symptoms (Amar 2). Marijuana grows in many areas of the world and especially the temperate climates like North America and India. It contains compounds when used have a various psychoactive effects for example the delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which has great effects. It can be consumed in various forms like smoking and ingestion. Its use dates back thousands of years ago as archeological reports indicate its use in China started around 4000Bc in the Neolithic Period (Li 437).
The medical application of marijuana started in China around 2737BC with Emperor Shen Nung in his boob medicinal herbs described therapeutic use of cannabis. Its use spread from medicinal use to recreational purposes (Li 438). It spread to other parts of the world and by 1839 British physicians O’Shaughnessey (421) described it as an analgesic, antiemetic, appetite stimulant, muscle relaxing, and anticonvulsant drug while working in India. He published journals in Britain and hence its use to treat seizure and diarrhea started (O’Shaughnessey 422). In Britain and United States, dispensaries started selling it to treat several ailments. Its continued use led to some side effects, which have since led to extensive research on its medical benefits.
Researchers have confirmed that marijuana can effectively treat various conditions. For example, PubMed articles in 2005 showed analysis and results proofing that marijuana and other cannabinoids could treat symptoms caused by cancer chemotherapy like nausea and vomiting (Amar 15). Other conditions like loss of appetite, pain, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, Tourette’s syndrome, epilepsy, and glaucoma were also treated (Haerens 14). Various countries have allowed its use in treatment of multiple sclerosis as it has been effective. As like other forms of treatment research is necessary to perfect and observe the side effects of medicines. Due to the ban of its use in many countries limited research has been done to proof its effectiveness and suitability in treating certain conditions. However, the available research shows positive results and if more studies are done it could be used in many other conditions in the future.
Medical marijuana is a phenomenon that faces challenges as it also has some negative consequences of its use. In most economies, marijuana is illegal and with continued scientific research, it could be legalized although skepticism still exists. Although the chronic effects have not been clearly determined, marijuana is probably injurious to the lungs in much the same way as tobacco. A cause for concern is the regular use by children and teenagers, because intoxication markedly alters thinking and interferes with learning (Haerens 14). A consensus exists among physicians and others who work with children and adolescents that use of marijuana and hashish is undesirable and may interfere with psychological and possibly physical maturation. Restricted use of the drug could be the answer to its legalization in the future (Kreit 24).
In conclusion, marijuana can be used for medical uses and although it has several side effects it, cannabinoids compounds could be isolated to only...