by Ally Hart

Created on: September 18, 2009   Last Updated: January 24, 2012

For thousands of years there has been controversy over the use of medical marijuana as a therapeutic pain and symptom relief of various illnesses and diseases. Marijuana is known as a natural substance that is produced from the cannabis plant also known as Cannabis Sativa. On the pro side of the argument, medical marijuana is considered an effective and natural way of remedy while others on the con side see medical marijuana none other than another prescription pain killer or eventual street drug.

The earliest known medical use of marijuana dates back to Twenty seventh century China where Emperor Chen Nung discovered it's effective use on gout and rheumatism. Active ingredients in marijuana are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Cannabidiol (CBD) and B-Caryophyllene. These active ingredients have shown to help with the pain and symptoms caused by illnesses such as Aids, Glaucoma, Multiple Sclerosis, Schizophrenia and cancer.

Medical studies from various US universities have shown that the active ingredients in medical marijuana are effective on symptoms such as inflammation, anxiety, depression, chronic pain and nausea. According to studies done by members of the Ohio State Medical Society there are other symptoms such as chronic cough, gonorrhea, cramps, headache and fever that have been researched and found medical marijuana an effective form of therapeutic pain relief. (Reference http://acponline.org)

These symptoms are often caused by serious illnesses or simply by the treatment for these illnesses such as chemo therapy for cancer patients or chronic pain caused by severe arthritis. Former US Surgeon General Jocelyn Elders MD., was quoted in an editorial in the March 2004 edition of the Providence Journal saying what the studies have shown.

"The evidence is overwhelming that marijuana can relieve certain types of pain, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms caused by such illnesses as multiple sclerosis, cancer and AIDS - or by the harsh drugs sometimes used to treat them. And it can do so with remarkable safety. Indeed, marijuana is less toxic than many of the drugs that physicians prescribe every day."
(Reference http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org)

However to every pro side there comes a con side. Like any other drug man made or natural, medical marijuana has its share of risks. Studies done across US universities such as Indiana University show common side effects with the prolonged use of medical marijuana. These side effects include fatigue, slowing of

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>