Medical Marijuana Essay

ganja is the finest anti-na aima medication cognise to science, and our leaders sacrifice lied to the highest degree this consistently. Arresting quite a little for medical exam ganja is the most hideous example of goernment interference in the hush-hush lives of individuals. Its an outrage within an outrage within an outrage. pricking McW brainsickiams Author and Advocate for Medical hempMedical Marijuana has frame its place once again as the medical im engraft that is accept for its ameliorate potential and properties. How the regime has suppressed its positive potential and healing powers for over 25 years. With the help from compositiony patients, loved ones, research departments and advocate convocations to get the Governments attention to master and understand that the termin all(prenominal)y ill and the sick should non be treated as earthy criminals. They are only trying to find round peace and pink of my John in their run military positionreal days. The struggle and fight that has been going on for the last 25 years against the Government. The people were finally heard, with the legalization of Medical Marijuana.The Government wants to regulate everything for their own best interest, the positive effect of decriminalizing marihuana for the terminally ill and the positive economic benefits for our community. cannabis Sativa, Marijuana, Weed, Herb, Mary Jane these are besides a few names that this little 5 leaf shew goes by. How could this life saving and healing plant get such a bad reputation? When clearly it has nothing barely positive powers, people all over the world have been using cannabis for thousands of years. ganja has been around since the Garden of Eden, it is even mentioned in the Bible. Yes in the Bible, in hejira (3022-23) Holy anointing oil, as described in the original Hebraical version of therecipe in Exodus (3022-23), contained over six pounds of kaneh-bosem, a substance identified by respected etymolog ists, linguists, anthropologists, botanists and other researchers as cannabis, extracted into around six quarts of olive oil, along with a variety of other sweet-scented herbs. The ancient anointed ones were literally drenched in this potent mixture (Bennett, 2010). Marijuana proponents suggest that the recipe for the anointing oil passed from God to Moses included Cannabis, or kaneh-bosem in Hebrew.They point to versions calling for fragrant cane, which they say was mis usurpnly changed to the plant calamus in the King James Version of the Bible (Kari, 2011). Cannabis was sound enough for God and Moses, then how come it is not good enough for us now? The unify pronounces Government wants to be in control and regulate everything we do as a United democracy Citizens. Marijuana was once considered a pharmaceutical medication mapping of goods and servicesd for a wide verity of reasons. In fact cannabis has a occult rooted history in what is now receiven as the United States o f the States. Christopher Columbus brought Cannabis Sativa to the States in 1492 (420 milestone biography Marijuana, (n.d.), 2010).From molar concentration to 1500, the use of ganja spread further. In 1619, a law passed in Jamestown Virginia Colony, which required farmers to grow hemp. The French and British grew hemp in Colonies of mien Royal, Virginia, and Plymouth. Marijuana as well as became a major trade item amid Central and South Asia during this time (420 Milestone History Marijuana, (n.d.), 2010). The United States in any case had chair soldierys who grew cannabis. Yes Presidents, in Mount Vernon, George Washington grew hemp as his primary civilize in 1797. Also Thomas Jefferson grew hemp as a subaltern crop at Monticello. In 1840, medicines with a cannabis base were visible(prenominal) in U.S. pharmacies. Hashish was available in Persian pharmacies (420 Milestone History Marijuana, (n.d.), 2010).Therefore when did it become a crime to cultivate, possess, cons ume, and dispense marijuana? In 1906, the Pure Food and dose bring was passed in the U.S. and the Food and do drugs Administration was haveed. This was the first time drugs had any government oversight (420 Milestone History Marijuana, (n.d.), 2010). In 1930, The federal Government gave control of illegal drugs to the treasury Department, they created the Federal Bureau of Narcotics. Harry Anslinger a prohibitionist became the first commissionerin 1930, he held that position until 1962. Anslinger declared war on drugs and effectively shaped Americas views and thoughts about(predicate) marijuana (420 Milestone History Marijuana, (n.d.), 2010). October 2, 1937, Anslinger got Congress to enact the Marihuana revenue enhancement Act, which is to imposed registration and reporting requirements and a tax on the growers, sellers, and buyers of marijuana (Eddy, 2010 p.2).In Eddys report he also writes that Dr. William C. Woodward, legislative counsel of the American Medical Associat ion (AMA), opposed the measure. In oral testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee, he utter that there are evidently potentialities in the drug that should not be shut off by adverse legislation. The medical business and pharmacologists should be left to develop the use of this drug as they see fit. Two Months later, in a letter to the Senate Finance Committee, he again argued against the actThat there is no evidence, however, that the medicinal use of these drugs cannabis and its preparations and derivatives has caused or is cause cannabis addiction. As remedial agents they are used to an inconsiderable extent, and the unequivocal purpose and effect of this bill isto impose so some(prenominal) restrictions on their medicinal use as to prevent such use altogether. Since the medicinal use of cannabis has not caused and is not causing addiction, the prevention of the use of the drug for medicinal purposes can accomplish no good ending whatsoever.How far it may serve to deprive the public of the benefits of a drug that on further research may prove to be of meaty value, it is important to foresee. Despite the AMAs opposition, the Marihuana Tax Act was ratified, causing all medicinal products containing marijuana to be withdrawn from the merchandise and leading to marijuanas removal (Eddy, 2010 p.2).October 2, 1937, On the very day the Marihuana Tax Stamp Act was passed the FBI and Denver police raided the Lexington Hotel and arrested two people Samuel R. Caldwell and Moses Baca. Three days later, Caldwell, a 58 year sr. unemployed laborer, became the first person in the U.S. to be convicted of selling of marijuana without a tax stamp. He was sentence to four years oof strong labor in Leavenworth Penitentiary. Presiding test JFoster Symes, had previously stated that he considered Marijuana to be the worst of all narcotics and vowed to impose boisterous sentences for violations of the Marihuana Tax Act. Caldwell was also fined $1,000 for the two marijuana cigarettes that were put in his ownership. Baca, who was his customer, was found guilty of possession of Marijuana and was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Both men served their full sentences. Caldwell died a year after his red (420 Milestone History Marijuana, (n.d.), 2010).This is why that we the people stood up, banded together, and formedOrganizations. tidy sum became spokespersons, advocates, a voice for the cause. Take for example, spear McWilliams. He is the man I quoted in the beginning. Peter was a self-help author, who advocated for the legalization of marijuana. He wrote over 40 books including How to survive the loss of love, Aint secret codes business if I do. Along with poetry and how to use microcomputers. In 1996, he was diagnosed with AIDS and non- Hodgkins lymphoma. Like so many patients suffering from cancer or AIDS, he had extreme difficulty on keeping down the drugs that controlled his illnesses. He began to smoke marijuana to control the d rug-induced nausea. It protected his life (US The Life and Death of Peter McWilliams, 2002).NORML, the study Organization for the renew of Marijuana Laws, was founded in 1970, as a nonprofit public-interest advocacy group whose mission is to end marijuana Prohibition (Historical Timeline Medical Marijuana, (n.d.), 2011). In 1971, President Nixon declared war on drugs. In 1972,The bipartisan Shafer missionary post National Commission on Marijuana and medicine plague, appointed by President Nixon at the direction of Congress and chaired by former Pennsylvania Governor Raymond Shafer, considered laws regarding marijuana and determined that personal use of marijuana should be decriminalized. Nixon rejected the recommendation, entirely over thecourse of the 1970s, eleven states decriminalized marijuana and most others reduced their penalties (Busted Americas War on Marijuana., 2010).Possession of marihuana for personal use would no longer be an offense, but marihuana possessed in p ublic would remain contraband subject to summary seizure and forfeiture. effortless distribution of small amounts of marihuana for no remuneration, or insignificant remuneration not involving profit would no longer be an offense (Busted Americas War on Marijuana., 2010). 1973,The Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (BNND) and the Office of Drug Abuse Law Enforcement (ODALE) are merged to form the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) (420 Milestone History Marijuana, (n.d.), 2010).In November, 1976, a Washington, DC man Robert Randall afflicted by glaucoma employed the little-used Common Law Doctrine of indispensability to defend himself against criminal charges of marijuana cultivation (US v. Randall).On November 24, 1976, federal Judge James Washington ruled Randalls use of Marijuana naturalized a medical necessity, Judge Washington dismissed criminal charges against Randall. coinciding with this judicial determination, federal agencies responding to a whitethorn, 1976 petition filed by Randall, began providing this patient with licit, FDA-approved inlet to government supplies of medical marijuana. Randall was the first American to receive marijuana for the intervention of a medical disorder (National Institute on Drug Abuse NIDA 1998).1978, saucily Mexico passed the first state law recognizing the medical value of marijuanaControlled Substances Therapeutic Research Act. Over the next few years, more(prenominal) than 30 statespassed similar legislation. (Scott, 1994). Voters in California pass a state medicalmarijuana initiative in 1996. Known as set ashoreosition 215(45 KB), it permitspatients and their primary caregivers, with a physicians recommendation, to possess and cultivate marijuana for the treatment of AIDS, cancer, respectable spasticity, migraines, and several other disorders it also protects them from punishment if they recommend marijuana to their patients (Joy, PhD. & Mack, 2011)The New England Journal of care for publishes an editor ial written by JeromeP. Kassirer, MD, titled Federal Foolishness and Marijuana. The article states Federal authorities should rescind their prohibition of the medicinal use of marijuana for seriously ill patients and allow physicians to decide which patients to treat. The government should change marijuanas status from that of a Schedule I drug (considered to be potentially addictive and with no current medical use) to that of a Schedule II drug (potentially addictive but with some accepted medical use) and regulate it accordingly (Kassier, 1997).In January 2004, California passed SB 420, which states the guidelines for growing marijuana. Yes this bill also went through the court system. In May 2008, second district court of appeals ruling in Kelley case that the possession limits set by SB 420 violate the California Constitution because the voters approved Prop 215 can only be amended by the voters. With Prop 215 you can legally be in possession of marijuana and with SB 420 you can legally grow. This has drastically reduce crime in our cities and form a more productive society through its positive uses. In 2013, medical marijuana is a thriving and growing business for all those involved from the growers, to the caregivers clubs with their green cross symbols above their doors (yes like the Red Cross, but green) making it possible for the medical community, and the consumer to know they have found the office place. As of this date there is a total of 18 states and DC now known as Medical Marijuana States. With 11 more states pending legalization to legalize medical marijuana. Now legal for others to hear and receive this healing and lifesaving plant.Since the Government has allowed each state to listen to its people, and as it stands today marijuana is legal and available for all those who have a recommendation card. Now it is not a crime for the terminally ill and sick to gain access to the medication that they so greatly affect to function on day-to-day b ases. You might wonder, How do I know so very much or even careabout marijuana being legal? I am also a member, because I have a recommendation card. I have had mine for about a year now. My doctor prescribed it for me when I told him I was get down (over the death of my baby boy Marshall) and I did not want to take any manufactured manmade pill and have to worry about the side effects.Medical marijuana has done the trick for me, I take as need by my doctors direction. I have to say, that it has saved me. Also The Government, State and City get to collect the taxes and the dispensaries make their money and the clients get their much need lifesaving medication. Crime is down and people are employed, and the Government gets to have their say, but in the end We the People were finally heard, and this little plant is finally back where it belongs.To quote one of my favorite comediansIts not a war on drugs, its a war on personal freedom its what it is ok, Keep that in mind at all times . Thank you Bill HicksReferencesBennett, C. (2010). Historical Timeline Medical Marijuana. Retrieved from http//medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceid=000143Eddy, M. (2010). Medical Marijuana Review and Analysis of Federal and State Policies.. Retrieved from Federation of American Scientist/congressional Research and State Service Reports http//www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL33211.pdfHicks, B. (1996). Lateralus (Album). Retrieved from Tool (Group)Joy, PhD., J., & Mack, A. (2011). Marijuana as Medicine Beyond Controversy, 200. Retrieved from http//www.brainz.org/420-milestone-history-marijuanaKari, S. (2011). Historical Timeline Medical Marijuana. Retrieved from http//medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceid=000143Kassier, J. P. (1997). Federal Foolishness and Marijuana. Retrieved from http//www.brainz.org/420-milestone-history-marijuanaMcWilliams, P. (1996). Quotes by Peter McWilliams Finest Quotes. Retrieved from http//www.finestquotes.com/author_quote s_authors-Peter+McWilliams-page-0.html Scott, E. (1994). Marional The Little Synthetic That Couldnt. Retrieved from http//www.druglibrary.org/significate-legal-cases.htlm420 Milestone History Marijuana, (n.d.). (2010). Retrieved from http//www.braniz.org/420-milestone-history-marijuanaBusted Americas War on Marijuana. (2010). Retrieved from http//www.pbs.orgHistorical Timeline Medical Marijuana, (n.d.). (2011). Retrieved from http//www.medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceid=000143National Institute on Drug Abuse NIDA. (1998). Retrieved from Provision of Marijuana and Other Compound for scientific Research Recommendations of the National Institute on Drug Abuse National Advisory Council, NIDA websiteUS The Life and Death of Peter McWilliams. (2002). Retrieved from http//www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n948/a03.html