People have thought of cannabis as a gateway drug for far too long. Many folks believe that is simply a substance that individuals use to get a euphoric high. However, in recent years, the public’s opinion of the plant has changed. Many citizens think marijuana should be legalized for recreational and medical purposes. Some states have listened to the pleas of their residents and others may soon start to fall in line as well.
According to an article from The Insider, ten states and Washington D.C. have legalized recreational cannabis use. Meanwhile, patients can now obtain medical marijuana in 33 states. Unfortunately, the Federal Government isn’t entirely on board with the legalization process. They still have marijuana listed as a schedule I drug, which puts it in the same category as dangerous narcotics such as…
- Peyote
- Methaqualone
- Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, Also Known As LSD
- Heroin
- And 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, Which Is Regularly Called Ecstasy
Yet, The Government Has Contradicted Itself
Schedule I drugs are not supposed to have any medical benefits. The United States Food and Drug Administration has not approved cannabis as a safe and effective treatment for any purpose. However, the organization has approved one particular drug that contains purified substance cannabidiol. This ingredient is only one out of more than 80 chemicals found in marijuana. In other words, if cannabis has no medicinal purposes, how can the FDA approve this drug?
What Is It, What Does It Do, And Who Is It For?
The name of the prescription medication is Epidiolex. It is used to treat seizures in persons that have Dravet syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. They are both rare forms of epilepsy that start in childhood. Epidiolex is available to patients that are at least two years old. This medicine is improving the lives of patients in ways that they never thought imaginable.
More Testing And Research Needs To Be Done To Prove Marijuana’s Medical Worth
Doctors in states that have legalized medical marijuana are prescribing it to treat a wide variety of ailments. In these situations, the cannabis is the same product that people use recreationally. It can be smoked, vaped, or used as an ingredient to create delicious edibles. Today’s research suggests that medical marijuana reduces chronic pain and spasticity, which is the tightening or stiffening of muscles. More studies need to be conducted though as many physicians, researchers, and patients believe it can help with different conditions including but not limited to…
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Glaucoma
- Multiple Sclerosis
- PTSD Or Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
- Chron’s Disease And Wasting Syndrome
There aren’t many worst feelings than watching a loved one suffer from one of these ailments and not be able to get any relief for their symptoms with conventional medicines. Yet, family members have to do it every day, especially if they don’t live in a state where medical marijuana is legal. Hence, they look high and low for alternatives but usually come up empty.
How Can People Help Get Medical Marijuana Legalized?
Curious individuals that believe cannabis should be legal, at least for medicinal purposes, should begin by learning as much as they can about the plant. They can research the pros and cons of legalization, which will help them better voice their reasoning behind the effort. Persons can join local chapters of Students for Sensible Drug Policy or NORML.
This action will introduce them to a network of like-minded people. It is a good idea to attend town hall and city council meetings to discuss the matter as well. Heck, folks can even write professional letters to their representatives in Congress to try and get legalizing medical marijuana on the ballot. Lastly, if a person does succeed in getting the option on the ticket, they want to be sure to vote.
