A Medical Cannabis Dispensary
By Valeria Allusson
Prohibition, the ban of alcohol in the United States, lasted 13 years and in those thirteen years, people never stopped drinking. It has been over forty years since marijuana has been legal in the United States, a substance that could relieve ill patient’s pain. The human body already makes marijuana-like chemicals that help ease pain, inflammation, and many other processes. Marijuana can help those natural chemicals work better. According to some polls, a majority of the country now supports full legalization, and three quarters of all the states have reduced federal penalties for marijuana and legalized medical cannabis. Why must our citizens have to risk going to jail to receive a substance that can improve a sick patient’s life? Legalizing marijuana for medical purposes give patients a healthier option to ease pain and higher quality cannabis products.
High quality cannabis is significantly safer than pharmaceutical pain killers. Cannabis is natural, while pain relief drugs are filled with a wide variety of chemicals that most people cannot fully understand.
In the realm of cannabis products, the emergence of delta vape adds another layer to the therapeutic landscape. Specifically designed to cater to the evolving preferences of consumers, delta vape products offer a method of consumption that aligns with the modern ethos of wellness. In a world where patients seek higher quality cannabis options, delta vape stands as an example of the industry’s commitment to providing innovative solutions that prioritize both efficacy and ease of use.
Furthermore, within the ever-expanding realm of cannabis products, the prominence of CBD flower represents a natural evolution towards a more holistic approach to wellness. As consumers become increasingly discerning about the quality and purity of their cannabis experiences, Organic CBD Nugs emerge as a beacon of authenticity and potency. Unlike processed derivatives, CBD flower embodies the raw essence of the cannabis plant, offering users a rich tapestry of cannabinoids and terpenes in their most natural form. This commitment to purity resonates deeply with those seeking a more organic and sustainable option for their therapeutic needs.
Iowa, the latest state to approve medical marijuana
The side effects from both prescription and over the counter drugs are much more dangerous than the ones from marijuana. An article from Medical Marijuana Association called “3 Reasons Why Medical Cannabis Should Be Legalized” states: “With medical cannabis, patients can reap the benefits of managing their symptoms without having to worry about addiction, overdose or, serious side effects that aren’t worth the risk of pharmaceutical drugs.”
The chemicals in prescription drugs can lead to addiction, and possibly overdose. Marijuana is organic, so overdose and addiction is not a significant problem. An article from DrugPolicy.org called “Prescription Painkiller Deaths Fall Almost 25% in Medical Marijuana States” reports that, “…overdose deaths were significantly reduced in the 23 states that allow access to medical marijuana.” Patients can accidently take one too many pills, hoping for their pain to disappear. Or maybe, they’ve become addicted to the harmful chemicals that are in the pill itself. If marijuana and pain relief drugs do the same job, wouldn’t it be logical to legalize the one that’s a safer option?
Legalizing medical marijuana can guarantee that patients receive a high quality cannabis without the dangers of finding it on the street. Many patients find themselves in a situation where pain-relief drugs aren’t enough and they go out looking for marijuana to relieve the discomfort. These people can find themselves using cannabis that is full of unknown substances and using too much of it. The article “3 Reasons Why Medical Cannabis Should be Legalized” further suggests that legalization would: “…ensure that patients are receiving safe high quality cannabis… would not have to risk the potential dangers of finding it on the street… [and] they could properly control doses. ”
If doctors could prescribe their patients marijuana, they would make sure that what they get is a clean dose, and the right amount. This can prevent patients going to the street and dealing with sketchy people. An article from drugpolicy.org called “Medical Marijuana” specifically advocates “legalizing marijuana at the state and federal levels, and improving medical marijuana programs to better protect patients’ rights and access to medicine.”
It can be argued that making it legal at the federal level will remove lingering social stigma, as well as give the patients better quality drugs that will benefit them more. Making it accessible at the doctor’s office should help monitor its use, and help patients receive the clean cannabis they deserve.
Although marijuana may be very beneficial to certain patients, it could become psychologically addictive. According to dailycaller.com in the article “Why We Shouldn’t Legalize Marijuana” “… marijuana is more likely to cause addiction.” A major question about marijuana concerns the potential addictiveness of it. However, although though some experts claim it can be addictive, it isn’t as chemically addictive as caffeine. Marijuana has been scientifically proven to be less addictive than many legal substances the public is already exposed to, like tobacco or alcohol. Cannabis without chemical additives is natural, so it is also potentially less harmful than processed tobacco and alcohol.
California and Denver already support clean, legal dispensaries.
The topic of legalizing marijuana is controversial throughout the United States. But with Canada recently legalizing cannabis for medical and recreational uses, Americans will soon be able to judge the success or failure of the decriminalization project there.
Legally giving ill patients cannabis as pain relief can be less harmful than chemical-filled pills or injections; and make it safer to get than finding it on the street. The recent deaths of several popular celebrities from opioid overdose has made the American public more aware that a safer substitute must be found for many opium-derived pain killers currently being legally prescribed or illegally distributed.
Making cannabis-based pain killers accessible at the pharmacy will hopefully also prevent accidental overdosing by patients. Fans of pop stars like Prince and Michael Jackson will always wonder if an alternative to opioids might have prevented their accidental deaths by overdose. For all the above reasons, legislators need to reassess medical marijuana. Although more conclusive scientific studies need to be done to assess the danger of addiction compared to legal substances like caffeine, sugar, tobacco, and alcohol, there remains ample evidence that medicinal cannabis should be legal in the United States.
Works Cited:
”3 Reasons Why Medical Cannabis Should Be Legalized” —Medical Marijuana Association, October 20, 2014
Prescription Painkiller Deaths Fall Almost 25% in Medical Marijuana States” — By Amanda Reiman and Tamar Todd, Drug Policy, August 26, 2014
“Medical Marijuana”— Drug Policy http://www.drug policy.org/medical-marijuana
“Why We Shouldn’t Legalize Marijuana”—Charles Stimson, The Daily Caller, 12:52 PM 07/19/2012
http://dailycaller.com/2012/07/19/why-we-shouldnt-legalize-marijuana/