Marijuana as Medicine
by Jonathan Basham

How would most Americans react if the law allowed the use of heroin, LSD, or amphetamines for medical purposes? Many of us would react in disbelief mainly because of the effects of these powerful and addictive drugs. However, in Arizona the law permits the use of heroin, LSD, and amphetamines for medicinal purposes, yet the medicinal use of marijuana remains illegal in the United States ("Facts"). Because marijuana is categorized as a Schedule 1 drug under the federal Controlled Substance Act ("Issues"), physicians cannot legally prescribe it. The national debate on the effectiveness of marijuana as medicine is divided between those who advocate marijuana's medicinal value and those who dismiss the claim that marijuana poses any medicinal value. Although many regard the use of medicinal marijuana as a hoax, there is evidence to the contrary that helps to create a substantial argument as to marijuana's ability to provide effective relief from certain symptoms of disease. Patients of terminal or critical illnesses should be allowed, under the care and supervision of a physician, the option of using marijuana for medicinal purposes.

First and foremost, the medical value of marijuana is primarily a means of relief from the symptoms associated with diseases themselves and their treatments, not a cure. Therefore, its therapeutic values are not based on a particular disease, but rather the symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and anorexia caused by loss of appetite and chronic pain. The exact reason why marijuana relieves such symptoms is not known but most likely lies in its organic composition and ingredients. Marijuana is made up of over 400 organic chemicals, 60 of which are cannabinoids ("Clinical"). THC is the primary psychoactive ingredient, which is one of 60 cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are only found in marijuana.

Arguably, medicinal marijuana has proven to be most effective for the relief of nausea and anorexia associated with cancer and AIDS/HIV treatments. For cancer patients who not only go through the unimaginable pains and discomforts of the disease itself but also the process of treatment through chemotherapy, the option of using marijuana may prove to be helpful in relief of the symptoms. In an article published in the San Francisco Chronicle, Kate Scannell, M.D. wrote "From working with AIDS and cancer patients, I repeatedly saw how marijuana could ameliorate a patient's debilitating fatigue, restore appetite, diminish pain, remedy nausea, cure vomiting and curtail down-to-the-bone weight loss" ("Do"). Dr. Scannell concluded by claiming "…almost every sick and dying patient I've ever known who's tried medical marijuana experienced a kinder death" ("Do"). This example alone is worth allowing physicians to prescribe marijuana. If marijuana brings relief by easing the pain and suffering of just one patient, isn't that enough reason to legalize its use for medicinal purposes?

Not only has marijuana proven its therapeutic value for cancer and HIV/AIDS patients, but it has also proven to be more effective for most patients than current prescription drugs used. One of these current prescription drugs is dronabinol, known by its trade name as Merinol, which is a pill form of the primary active ingredient in marijuana, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). In 1986, Merinol became legally available ("Issues"). Merinol is used in the treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy and for appetite stimulation in the treatment of AIDS patients ("Introduction"). Many patients and physicians claim the problem with taking Merinol is that because it's an oral dose of pure THC, its hard to regulate the intensity of its effects. That is, the patient receives pure THC all at once, which can leave the patient feeling too intoxicated. However, by smoking marijuana, the patient is able to control and regulate the dose needed for the symptoms. Andrew Weil, M.D., stated in an article published in the San Francisco Chronicle, "Unfortunately, the only legal substitute [to marijuana] available now …is not EFFECTIVE enough for many patients" ("Benefits"). Studies have also shown that smoking marijuana has different effects than oral administration. While there are prescription drugs on the market such as Merinol used to aid in the relief of symptoms of disease, many patients and physicians claim the drugs are not nearly as effective as marijuana in its natural state.

The levels of toxicity found in marijuana are known to be less than many of the drugs currently being used; especially those used in relief from chemotherapy. According to a governmental workshop done on the medical utility of marijuana, "…cannabinoids have remarkably low lethal toxicity" ("Clinical"). Research has also shown that cannabinoids do not produce the average toxic effects of conventional chemotherapies. Dr. Weil states, " Still I have seen in my own studies that marijuana is less toxic than most pharmaceutical drugs in current use, and is certainly helpful for some patients" ("Do"). Since many terminally and critically ill patients receive more benefit from smoking marijuana, and studies show its level of toxicity to be lower than conventional drugs, then it would be prudent for the law to allow patients the option of using marijuana for medicinal purposes.

Not only have studies shown that marijuana is more effective and less toxic than most pharmaceutical drugs in current use, but marijuana is also a substantial amount cheaper. Lester Grinspoon, M.D., a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, wrote in an article published in the Boston Globe, "Doctors and nurses have seen that for many patients, cannabis is more useful, less toxic, and less expensive than the conventional medicines prescribed…" ("Do"). There are many factors involved with the cost of prescription drugs. The actual disease or ailment of the patient will be the basis that determines the amount prescribed and the daily dosage needed. According to the editor of Medical Marijuanapro/con, the average cost of Merinol is $678.75 per month, while the average cost of medicinal marijuana is $330.94 per month, "for a smoked dose that creates comparable nausea-relieving effects" ("Cost"). When compared, the price of Merinol is almost twice the amount of medicinal marijuana. Those who oppose medicinal marijuana might feel that the price of medication is not a valid issue in the debate over legalizing medicinal marijuana. However, the difference in cost could ultimately mean whether or not an individual suffering from a terminal or critical illness can afford relief and easement of pain.

In contrast to the proponents of medicinal marijuana, there are those who strongly oppose and dispute marijuana's effectiveness as medicine. Probably, the greatest opposing argument is the hazards associated with smoking marijuana. However, keep in mind the issue here is not whether marijuana is 100 percent safe, but rather its effectiveness, levels of toxicity, and cost in comparison to the alternatives. The possibility of harm caused by smoking marijuana is a given due to the public's knowledge of the effects of smoking any substance. Of course, there are risks involved in smoking marijuana just as there are risks involved in smoking cigarettes and consuming alcohol. Neither nicotine nor alcohol offer any medical advantages, only disadvantages, yet both are completely legal. It would seem more reasonable to allow patients whose health is more than likely diminishing, the right to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of a drug that has proven helpful for many. According to the World Almanacs, Life Insurance Actuarial (death) Rates, and the last 20 years of U.S. Surgeon Generals' reports, tobacco has claimed 340,000 to 450,000 American lives, and alcohol has claimed over 150,000 American lives, yet "There is no record in the extensive medical literature describing a proven, documented cannabis-induced fatality" ("How"). Medical history has never recorded anyone dying from an overdose of marijuana. Although smoking marijuana may exhibit risks due to the inhalation of a foreign substance, it has never claimed a life, and that fact alone should cause reconsideration of the current law against its medicinal use. The effects of marijuana may be undesirable for certain patients and situations and beneficial for others. In respect to patients who are terminally ill or patients with debilitating symptoms, the risks involved would not be of great concern because of their situation. No, marijuana is not completely harmless, but studies show that in many cases, marijuana is less toxic than its alternatives.

Those who oppose the use of medicinal marijuana also argue that marijuana is a "gateway" drug, leading to the use of other illicit drugs. This is not necessarily a valid argument simply because of the fact that the subjects of discussion are primarily patients of cancer and HIV/AIDS and not the general public. The use of medicinal marijuana refers strictly to those individuals suffering from terminal and critical illnesses. However, the manner in which marijuana is used by the patients is not the same manner in which marijuana is used by illicit drug users and addicts. In contrast with illicit drug users and addicts who are mainly looking for their next "high", many patients who suffer from the symptoms of cancer chemotherapy or HIV/AIDS are literally lying on their death beds and view the use medicinal marijuana as a means of relief from these symptoms. It is important to keep in mind that the patients using marijuana would be under the supervision of a physician, allowing the physician to keep track of the patient's progress and/or possibility of dependency, if dependency on marijuana is even possible. There is nothing special about using marijuana that makes people more likely to use harder drugs. It makes more sense to believe that some individuals are simply predisposed to drug use. Regardless, the issue here is legalization of medicinal marijuana for ill patients, not the general public.

Through numerous patient and physician testimonies, marijuana has proven its therapeutic value as an effective relief from symptoms of disease, and therefore should be offered to the terminally or critically ill as an alternative. It is difficult to gauge the effectiveness of medicinal marijuana based on evidence and hard facts. This is due to the lack of research, other than private medical studies and foreign research, because of the current law prohibiting possession and/or the handling of marijuana. Because response to marijuana varies among individuals, smoking marijuana may not be suitable for every patient. However, by giving patients the option medicinal marijuana offers, allows them, along with medical supervision and advice, to decide what works best in terms of relief from the symptoms. In theory, all patients would be evaluated on an independent basis and treated accordingly. If smoking marijuana relieves the unfathomable discomforts of chemotherapy that only a cancer patient can identify with, then why not allow those patients that option? As society, for the most part, we have learned to trust and rely on the medical professionals who not only help us physically and mentally recover from sickness and injury, but also help create a more peaceful death for those who are not as fortunate; if that is even possible. If this means prescribing a medicine that we do not completely understand, then so be it. It seems the irrational propaganda of some has closed the door of opportunity to new ideas that may prove beneficial in the science of medicine.

Works Cited

 

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