MARIJUANA MEDICAL USE

Marijuana Medical Use



Introduction:

Today, there is a substantial amount of propaganda of junk science and misinformation about marijuana use by both supporters of marijuana and its opponents. There are also legal constraints and policy research related to marijuana. Although many studies involving marijuana are contradictory, some health effects on the body and mind have been determined. Cannabis is used to counteract the decrease in appetite in patients with AIDS and cancer and to decrease nausea derived from radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

In most cases of European countries, marijuana medical use is illegal and in France, Norway and Iceland. It is legal in Holland and Austria. And consumption is legal in Belgium, Germany or Italy. (Martinez & Martin, 2008)

In the U.S. the use of marijuana is regulated and approved in fourteen states which include Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Maryland, Colorado, California, Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, New Mexico, Washington, Vermont, Rhode Island and Oregon. While on 12 January 2010, New Jersey also joined other states of America.

Discussion:

The crop is not punishable, as long as it is for personal use (is regulated maximum amount allowed). There are clubs consumers of marijuana for the exclusive use of the partners and cultivate it for therapeutic purposes. (Zuardi, 2006)

Some doctors with patients who have conditions not helped by traditional medicine it is prescribed as a palliative option for the symptoms. Yet the administration has the power to penalize the use or possession of marijuana with fines ranging between 300 and 3,000 Euros, although most are low-level sanctions.

A first conviction for possession of up to 30 grams of marijuana is punishable by six months imprisonment or a fine of $ 1,000 (or both), with opening of a criminal record, which imposes restrictions on travel and obtaining a job. Subsequent convictions or possession of larger amounts can cause more severe penalties. A first conviction for possession of small amounts of marijuana usually results in fines or acquittal.During a debate that has continued for many years, various government entities, health, police, policy development and intervention have suggested that criminal penalties imposed for possession of marijuana are too heavy.

Other solutions would be to "decriminalize", that is to say, to reduce penalties for possession of marijuana or to "regulate", which would give legal status of marijuana, similar to alcohol. New laws were passed under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act permitting industrial hemp cultivation in 1998 and allowing access to marijuana for medical purposes in 2001.

The first lift of the problem facing the U.S. law is the medical use of cannabis by Robert Randall, a patient with glaucoma, which had noted an improvement in symptoms whenever he smoked marijuana. After a long legal battle (lasting from 1976 to 1982) Randall obtained the recognition of its right to the therapeutic use of cannabis. In 1996 the state of California is sanctioned for the first time, through a referendum, the permissibility of therapeutic use.A similar policy was later adopted also from Arizona, opening legal conflicts with the federal government, attested on ...