Analysis Of Why I Changed My Mind On Weed By Dr. Sanjay Gupta

The War on Drugs has been a long battle between the government and drugs in the United States. Legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes can have a great impact on society and legalizing marijuana for recreational use can have a much larger impact. Some people believe that legalizing marijuana would do more harm than good; but this is not the case. In this essay, I will be arguing for the legalization of marijuana because it reduces the stats for the number of criminals, it saves taxpayers money, it strengthens the economy, it is beneficial to health, and it is less harmful than other drugs, along with countering the common misconception of marijuana as a gateway drug for teenagers its abuse.

Everyday patients are visiting their doctors in a desperate search for help with their problems, some physical and some psychological. Far too often in today’s troubled society a doctor is quick to hand their patient a prescription for a powerful and potentially harmful substance. The prescriptions could include drugs such as benzodiazepines for psychological problems and epilepsy, or opioids for pain. Both of those substances can have substantially dangerous and adverse effects and could lead to addiction and even death. Marijuana is a much safer and more naturally occurring substance that can be used for all of the previously listed purposes. The federal ban on medical marijuana should be lifted so that patients can have access in all states in the US.

According to the Center for Disease Control, “opioid-related overdose deaths now outnumber overdose deaths involving all illicit drugs such as heroin and cocaine combined.” Another study found that people who have access to medical marijuana are less at risk of developing painkiller abuse or dying from prescription drug overdoses. Prescription painkiller abuse and overdose is a rapidly-growing problem in America, and the signs are pointing to medical marijuana as a solution. Statistics show that about 53% of people who become addicted to opioid painkillers obtained them free from a friend or relative. The only way to stop this is to stop prescribing opioid-based narcotics. Opioid-related prescription abuse and overdose cannot be prevented if painkillers such as OxyContin and Vicodin are still available for those suffering from chronic pain. A study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical

Fortunately, the American Nurse Association House of Delegates has actively supported the nurse to be advocates for access to healthcare for all patient including those are in need of marijuana/cannabis for therapeutic use. (ANA, 2008) Therefore, as a health care provider, my dream is to be involved in further research about marijuana’s effectiveness, determine the therapeutic dosage and route of delivery in order to give patients the safest care with the best outcome. My DNP project on chronic pain management will be the stepping stone to making this dream come true.

Sorting Through the Science on Marijuana, written by Itai Danovitch, touches on what marijuana is, the innocuous and detrimental effects it can have on a body, and how the legalization of this drug would affect the rates of marijuana use. Throughout the piece, Danovitch speaks from an unbiased point of view; he is neither for the legalization and use of this drug nor against it. Itai Danovitch not only establishes a dependable and impartial article, he also connects to the reader, both, emotionally and logically through statements validated by facts.

In the article “Not Just a High,” by Nathan Seppa, the author believes that medicinal marijuana is on the verge of a big breakthrough in the realm of medicine. Although the author clearly states all of the benefits there would be to using medicinal marijuana as a medicine, he also points out that there are still a lot of risks and uncertainties to deal with too. Medicinal marijuana is still in the somewhat early stages of testing, but it has already proved to alleviate pain, fight forms of inflammation, treat cancer, and even suppress tumors.

Dresser, Rebecca. "At Law: Irrational Basis: The Legal Status of Medicai Marijuana." JSTOR [JSTOR]. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.

States around the country, more than 20 in total, have legalized medical marijuana. In 2000, Hawaii legalized the distribution of medical marijuana for Hawaii’s patients. The issue now, is whether or not the drug itself will become legalized to be used without medical consent. Many commoners, professionals, and large corporations believe it would better the lives and health for some individuals if they were able to access the drug legally. The government should repeal the ban on marijuana in Hawaii for the sake of people’s health, to treat patients, and to cure sickness.

In recent history, smoking marijuana (also referred to as weed and/or cannabis) has become a prevalent past time amongst college students of many majors, even students who aspire to become medical clinicians. According to the United States’ Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), approximately 38% of college students have claimed to have used marijuana recreationally in 2015. That statistic is nearly 10% higher than the number of students who claimed to be recreational marijuana users in 2006 (DEA). Marijuana is particularly popular amongst premedical and medical students for its ability to relax the body, cause hallucinations, induce psychosis, and enhance mood when used (Marijuana, drugabuse.gov). According to a 1991 study, nearly 21% of premedical students claimed to have smoked marijuana 10 times or more throughout their undergraduate studies, typically once a month (Schwartz et al.). This same study reports that 9% of doctors admitted to smoking marijuana 10 times or more while in medical school. It is safe to assume that this number has since risen, given the more recent, ubiquitous use of marijuana. Marijuana is legal for recreational use in 8 U.S. states for individuals who are 21 or older, while 30 other states have legalized marijuana strictly for medicinal purposes for individuals who are medical card holders (State Marijuana Laws in 2018 Map, governing.com).

This became a problem as the law was now being enforced after being disregarded for so long. As a result, a government inquiry was made to examine the issues surrounding cannabis to try to find a solution. The Le Dain commission that began in 1969, set out to do extensive research regarding the consumption of cannabis. They consulted experts, doctors and the general public to gather information and opinions. They concluded their inquiry in 1972, with the recommendations of removing the penalties for the possession of cannabis; however, their conclusion was largely rejected by the federal government and the consumption of cannabis continued to be illegal regardless of whether it was for recreational or medicinal

Everyday stereotypes give many people that mindset that marijuana is harmful and will affect your life negatively, but the reality of the situation is exactly the opposite. Marijuana, also known as cannabis, is a drug grown from the cannabis plant that affects the body and mind in many ways. The main active compounds, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), have many beneficial effects. Public stereotypes and negative, uneducated outlooks have given this drug a bad name throughout time. However, many people have started to overlooked these misconceptions and many states have legalized it for medicinal use. The effects of medicinal marijuana are very surprising and have changed the way that some people look at the drug. The effects of medical cannabis given to an individual are more beneficial than not both physiologically and mentally.

There is more than one purpose for marijuana in this world. If the criminal justice system took the time to explore the endless possibilities that marijuana provides then there would be a positive change made within society. When hearing about marijuana or weed one may instantly think of someone smoking out of a bong with a tie-dye shirt on listening to reggae music or one may picture a drug dealer who happens to be African American dealing drugs out of an abandoned apartment. The negative connotations that marijuana has allowed stereotypes like these to not only paint a negative image in the minds of Americans, but it also defines marijuana in a way that is more damaging to its reputation.

My View of marijuana is to legalize it across the united states, there are many benefits from cannabis that can-do wonders in the medical field for many that truly need it. I have seen and read documentaries, videos of how much cannabis can help with people who are in pain, suffer post-traumatic stress disorder, nausea, insomnia, and so much more. The first question that is asked what is Marijuana and why does it have the reputation as a "bad drug"? Marijuana also known as pot, weed, or cannabis. For many years marijuana has had reputation as a get way drug for other drugs that ARE dangerous such as cocaine and heroin. Marijuana has been one of the top topics that has encounter multiple debates in whether to legalize medical and recreational use across the United States. As of 2017 some states have already legalized both recreational and medical use.

“...I am here to apologize... because I [did not] look hard enough, until now.” (Sanjay Gupta, Source 2). This quote comes directly from Sanjay Gupta’s, CNN’s senior medical correspondent, article entitled “Why I Changed My Mind on Weed,” (2013). He wrote it as an apology for misleading the public in 2009 in his article “Why I Would Vote No on Pot,” in which he stated the cons against medical marijuana, and why he believed it should not be legalized. Medical marijuana has been an extremely controversial topic in the United States – as states across the nation legalize it, and others stay true to the ban – but, overall, it should be legalized. It is not uncommon for people, like Doctor Gupta, to change their stance on

Marijuana is an illegal drug in the United States of America, but why is marijuana illegal? Is it not safe? Is it addictive? Will it have a negative effect on society? The medical community is split on this issue; several studies that have been conducted on the effects of marijuana in the adult brain have been inconclusive. The National Institute of Drug Abuse states, “Many people who use marijuana long term . . . may begin to have symptoms such as grouchiness, sleepiness, decreased appetite, anxiety, and cravings.” Harvard Health publishing: Harvard Medical School stated: