The article that I have chosen is about the use of marijuana in medicine and according to the article, the use of marijuana as medicine can be traced back to stories of individuals in relieving diseases from clinical studies, and from the studies that dealing with the exploration of its chemistry and how it affecting the human physiological processes.
The exploration of marijuana as a medicine can be attributed to its ability to relieving pain. As the authors have mentioned, it can be used as a pain reliever of minor symptoms such as headaches. According to some, aside from the minor symptoms it can also be used in the alleviation of serious diseases and illnesses such as AIDS, cancer, and other neurological disorders. (Mack & Joy, 2007)
In connection with this, the controversy on the development of pharmaceuticals which contain marijuana as the active ingredient can also be found in the article. Although this is still under debate, some companies had already started the production of these medicines that containing the compound responsible in the effect of marijuana which is called THC, also known as tetrahydrocannabinol.
The main concern regarding the use of marijuana as a medicine is not just on the effect in treating a person by alleviating symptoms, but the effect of this drug to our country. It was also mentioned that marijuana can cause harm to the users, in either physical or physiological. It was also mentioned that if marijuana will be legalized for medical purposes, it may in turn bring social danger.
Lastly, it was stated in the article that there is a possibility of the use of marijuana as a medicine and having in mind its advantages and disadvantages, the consideration of the social aspect of marijuana should be given attention. As we continue to conduct researches on the mechanism in which the compounds present in marijuana works in the human body, more social studies should also be given on its effect on non-users of our society.
In reading the article, many questions started to arise in my mind. Can we really use marijuana as a medicine even though it is known for its harmful effects to an individual and to the society? If we can really use it, can’t we just find any other alternative drugs or chemical compounds that will have the same healing effect but is less risky? These are only some of the questions that should be put into consideration.
As I continued reading the article, I have gained many insights about the use of marijuana as medicine, and by analyzing the arguments and evidences presented by the authors and the possible reason why they did write such an article so many questions came in my mind.
In the first statements, it was mentioned in the article that the aspect on marijuana’s therapeutical use can also be attributed to clinical studies. It was mentioned that the clinical studies conducted were only limited meaning there is so much proof on its use. Although I agree to this, stating that the use of marijuana for medicine is supported by clinical evidences, but it can’t be generalized at all accurately that these few clinical studies conducted is already sufficient enough for marijuana to be used as a medicine and to be applied in universal context.
I would like to point out that in these clinical studies; some of the other concerns not only for marijuana are funded by private institutions for research purposes. We can’t really be sure whether these studies are funded or backed up by pharmaceutical companies which will produce products that are marijuana based.
There is this part in the article that really caught my attention and this is the one which states that the effect of marijuana can be attributed to biochemical reaction of marijuana to our cells. Although this is true, I somehow disagree in the useof this scientific information just to support the argument that since this is correct, they can directly connect it to the use of marijuana as a medicine. If that is their reasoning, it is also true that other plant or animal sources can also contain compounds that can have a similar biochemical reaction to our cells just like marijuana. If only research and developmental studies will be focusing more on these things that it can also be used as medicine, and at the same time have less risk for an individual’s health or no risk at all, the use of marijuana in medicine can be limited or avoided.
The author also stated that marijuana can cause harm or injury to the users. This made me think that if that is the case, what will be the purpose of using marijuana in treating diseases if the patient will suffer anyway. The author’s argument that marijuana smoking like cigarette smoking pollutes the lungs is also stated in the article. If this is the case, then why smoke marijuana? Even though an individual can have benefits from it, but in the opposite other worse diseases may also result such as respiratory diseases.
The author stated in one of the chapter of the article about marijuana that the discovery of the people on the ability of marijuana to relieve pain is also the reason why they look to it as a medicine The author also stated that pain is the reason behind it, and being a sign for disease, people would want to get rid of it. I can say that nothing is wrong with the author’s argument but the way the argument is presented makes the authors to commit hasty generalization, thus rendering the alteration of the emotional tone of the context.
I am very surprised upon reading the article that one of the chapters about marijuana and about worse diseases such as AIDS and cancer. It made me think if there is really a connection between the use of marijuana in alleviating AIDS and cancer, or people are just turning into it because they are thinking that marijuana can be their hope since the other alternatives that they have tried didn’t work for them. After reading the chapters and analyzing the author’s thought, I have evaluated the author’s the strength and weaknesses of the arguments that he presented in the article..
Regarding marijuana, AIDS and cancer, the scope of its use is only limited to the U.S. This is not the case in other countries and thus I can say that there is only a weak connection on the therapeutical effect of marijuana for AIDS and cancer. Also, it was stated in the article that majority of the reason why AIDS patient turn to it is just to relieve its debilitating symptoms or side effects.
Lastly, it was also presented in the article the possibility of pharmaceuticals that can be produced or derived from marijuana. I am surprise to know that there is a drug that is called as Marinol, a drug containing a compound similar to that of marijuana, which has been released in the market for decades.
From the start of the article until the time that Marinol has been mentioned, I can say that the article has presented an unbiased point of view in looking at this issue about the use of marijuana as a medicine. The author’s arguments are presented in a way that they are supported by scientific findings and by the hazards and side effects which can arise from the use of marijuana as a medicine. Thus, the author presented the readers the two sides of the issue.
The majority of the weaknesses that I have observed in the article, was presented were the lack or the insufficient scientific evidences which have long term effect on individual. Marijuana might be used as a medical substitute but the in consideration of the long term effect that it can cause to a person, should be also given attention, and as well as the focus should not only be on the immediate relief that marijuana can offer.
In conclusion, I can say that we should not reject the idea on the use of marijuana in medicine, but we also should not accept it at once without taking into considerations of the other aspects . Further researches and studies should be considered both in the health science and in its effect on the society. After all, medicine is hereto uplift the society and not be the one to cause harm to people.
