Medical Marijuana Laws in the United States

Discuss about the Health Advancement and Promotion for Marijuana or Cannabis Sativa.

The debate over the use of marijuana or cannabis sativa has gained a lot of momentum in the recent past resulting in many nations legalizing its use. The debates have also resulted in more than fifteen countries lowering the punishments for marijuana’s use. Several users of marijuana have faith that the drug does not have severe side impacts or serious complications in comparison to drugs such as heroin or cocaine (Wilkinson et al., 2016). Cannabis sativa, since its discovery, is used for different purposes such as recreational and medicinal purposes (Caulkins, Kilmer & Kleiman, 2016). Due to different reactions in regards to cannabis consumptions, this paper endeavors to summarize as well as analyze the main content of the article titled “Smoking, vaping, eating: Is legalization impacting the way people use cannabis?” It would as well elucidate the common methods of marijuana consumption.

Borodovsky, Crosier, Lee, Sargent, and Budney, (2016) state that about a half of the United States of American states allow in-state consumption and procurement of marijuana for compassionate or medical purposes, and close to three states have sanctioned the recreational use of marijuana. It is important to note that misuse of marijuana can result in arrays of negative impacts on users. The article highlights that in states where marijuana is medically legal, people seem to have a greater likelihood of marijuana use and the reports show a list perceived risks associated with marijuana usage. Research shows that some of the medical cannabis laws have less effect on the prevalence of the present use status (Borodovsky, Crosier, Lee, Sargent, and Budney, 2016), however, it is important to impose laws which would regulate the use of the drug.

The most common ways or methods of marijuana consumption include ingestion of an edible product, inhalation through vaping or vaporization, and inhalation through smoking. The article states that the relationship between medical marijuana laws and methods of marijuana consumption ought to be explored because it is a significant component of medical marijuana legalization. Studies indicate that marijuana smoking has adverse effects on the respiratory system (Hopfer, 2017). The authors, therefore, advocate that consumers should prefer ingestion and vaping to smoking. Smoking heralds inhalation of carcinogenic substances in spite of allowing the consumer to actively self-titrate the desired levels of intoxication and dose. The different ways of smoking, for example, bongs, pipes, and joints are associated with a significant dependence as well as a higher probability of problems. Vaping is considered to have minimal impact on the respiratory function, however, the long-term health effects of frequently inhaling through vaporization have not been discovered. According to Borodovsky, Crosier, Lee, Sargent, and Budney (2016), individuals prefer inhalation through vaporization to smoking as their main method of marijuana administration because it is cost-effective, more efficient, and better testing.

Common Methods of Marijuana Consumption

The article advocates that legalization of marijuana sale as well as use can promptly increase marketing, production and development of desirable marijuana products. Cannabis legalization would prompt the delivery systems of the drug and increase sales to meet the consumers’ demands. Legalization would also increase the product’s sales and people would use the drug without any fear of arrest. The authors contend that the positive impacts of inhalation through vaporization and the insight of decreased harm of respiratory system can credibly result in earlier initiation and regular consumption of marijuana (Borodovsky, Crosier, Lee, Sargent, and Budney, 2016). In the same vein, the article highlight that edible ingestion allows cannabis Sativa users to avoid or eschew inhaling smoke. Contrariwise, edibles are associated with adverse effects such as increased rate of fortuitous ingestion of the drug.

Borodovsky, Crosier, Lee, Sargent, and Budney (2016), state that medical marijuana regulations in the United States of America are marked by thrilling regulatory and legislative heterogeneity. It is important to note that marijuana legislation would enable labelling of marijuana for easy identification by the members of the public (Wang, Heard & Roosevelt, 2017). The findings of the article showed that edible cannabis and vaping seem much prevalent in many states in the nation which had enacted the medical marijuana laws. In a similar note, the findings indicated that the medical marijuana laws changed or altered how individuals use cannabis. It is, therefore, vital for the United States to know the potential effect, that it, con or pro of different methods of marijuana consumption especially their impact on the public health. Additionally, the findings indicated that vaping and edibles are the most efficient and cost-effective methods of marijuana consumption. The findings through counterintuitive observation showed that people living in the medical marijuana law States prefer edibles and vaping in comparison to smoking cannabis.

It is important to note that legalization of cannabis use can have a lot of benefits especially in the society in regards to the amount of money generated as a result of its consumption. However, in spite of the benefits, its consumption can open a wide door to individuals becoming more addicted to the drug. As such, Borodovsky, Crosier, Lee, Sargent, and Budney (2016), advocate that after legalizing marijuana in a country, laws ought to be enacted to prevent or control the adverse use of the drug in order to avoid its side or adverse effects. Harder drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and crack should be avoided or shunned in a state because marijuana addiction can lead to their consumption Caulkins, Kilmer & Kleiman, 2016). The research was quite significant towards understanding the different methods of marijuana consumption. It helps individuals to understand some of the best methods to utilize in consuming cannabis. Its introduction, findings, and conclusion are well-organized, appropriate, logical, and matches the authors, intended objective. The article advocate that medical marijuana is quite important in treating as well as curing some of the chronic diseases. Moreover, it contends that legalization of marijuana should be introduced together with legislation which would ensure proper use of the drug.

Impact of Medical Marijuana Legalization on Consumption

In conclusion, marijuana is one of the drugs which has both positive and side effects on the public health. Legalization marijuana would greatly impact the way individuals use the drug. The policy makers, nonetheless, should enact laws to regulate the use or consumption of the drug to avoid its side effects. The article mentions the common methods used for marijuana consumption to include smoking, vaping, and eating or via edible ingestion. It goes ahead to state that many people prefer vaping and eating compared to smoking. Studies indicate that marijuana smoking encompasses adverse effects on the respiratory system. The authors, therefore, advocate that consumers should prefer ingestion and vaping to smoking. This is because smoking allows inhalation of carcinogenic substances in spite of allowing the consumer to actively self-titrate the desired levels of intoxication and dose. To help the youths from consuming cannabis anyhow, it would be better and efficient that after legalizing marijuana in a country, laws ought to be enacted to prevent or control the adverse use of the drug in order to avoid its side or adverse effects. Marijuana has a lot of benefits to the health since it can be used for medical purposes to treat or cure diseases. Marijuana can also be used for the reactional purpose. In a nutshell, marijuana is a good drug, however, its use ought to be regulated through enacting significant laws to prevent its adverse use.

Letter to the West Australian Newspaper Editor

                                                                              (Insert name),

(Insert name of University),

                                                                                                                (Insert postal Address),

                                                                                     (Insert town/city).

                                                                               3^rd May, 2018.

The Editor,

The West Australian Newspaper,

P.O BOX (Insert),

Australia.  

Dear Editor,  

RE: LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA AND METHODS OF ITS CONSUMPTION

I am writing this letter to express my concerns in regards to marijuana legalization. It is important to note that I am reacting towards peoples’ negative views regarding the use of marijuana. I understand why many people are concerned about legalizing cannabis, however, it is significant to note that their fears and uncertainties are misplaced. Individuals especially those with political agendas lie about marijuana that it can lead to cancer, however, cannabis has never been associated with cancer and its overdose is physically impossible.

Legalizing marijuana would impacts how individuals use the drug. Similarly, the legalization should be encompassed with regulations to ensure that individuals do not use it adversely (Pacula & Smart, 2017). Marijuana users should be advised to avoid smoking the drug because smoking results in side effects such as inhaling of carcinogenic substances which can affect the respiratory system leading to lung diseases. Individuals should be encouraged to consume cannabis through vaping and eating (edible ingestion). Marijuana play an important role in the medicine industry thus its legalization would help in treating some of the chronic diseases. The drug is also used for recreational purposes.

Nobody would want to see the taxes raise, but no group has ever stood up to say they should be taxed because they use marijuana. Therefore, it is important for the government to legalize cannabis to shun or prevent individuals from taking money to the black market but take the money to the free market to enhance a raise in the GDP.

I am kindly requesting you to publish this article after correcting all the inaccuracies which might be detected.  Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

(Insert Name)

References

Borodovsky, J.T., Crosier, B.S., Lee, D.C., Sargent, J.D., & Budney, A.J (2016). Smoking, vaping, eating: Is legalization impacting the way people use cannabis? International Journal of Drug Policy, 36, 141-147

Caulkins, J. P., Kilmer, B., & Kleiman, M. A. (2016). Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone Needs to Know: Oxford University Press.

Hopfer, C. (2017). 2.2 Clinical Issues Arising in the Context of Adult Recreational Marijuana Legalization. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 56(10), S4.

Pacula, R. L., & Smart, R. (2017). Medical marijuana and marijuana legalization. Annual review of clinical psychology, 13, 397-419.

Wang, G. S., Heard, K., & Roosevelt, G. (2017). The Unintended Consequences of Marijuana Legalization. The Journal of pediatrics, 190, 12-13.

Wilkinson, S. T., Yarnell, S., Radhakrishnan, R., Ball, S. A., & D’Souza, D. C. (2016). Marijuana legalization: impact on physicians and public health. Annual review of medicine, 67, 453-466.