According to the IOM, observable cannabis withdrawal symptoms are rare and have only been identified under unique patient settings. ... Critics of the medical use of marijuana say there are traditional medications to help patients and marijuana is not needed. ... However, for a significant number of serious ill patients, including patients suffering from AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis and chronic pain among others, traditional medications do not provide symptomatic relief as effectively as medicinal cannabis.7 Dronabinol (trade name Marinol) is a legal, synthetic THC alternative to cann...

• Word Count: 2773
• Approx Pages: 11
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Definition The use of illicit or illegal drugs or the abuse of prescription or over-the-counter drugs for purposes other than those for which they are indicated or in a manner or in quantities other than directed. History of Drug Abuse Humans have used drugs of one sort or another for thousands of years. Wine was used at least from the time of the early Egyptians; narcotics from 4000 B.C.; and medicinal use of marijuana has been dated to 2737 B.C. in China. But not until the 19th cent. A.D. were the active substances in drugs extracted. ...

• Word Count: 5106
• Approx Pages: 20
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

With the decision in Colorado to legalize marijuana not only for medical use, but for recreational use as well and Washington State considering the same, the question arises: Is marijuana legalization right for America? My own view is that in the case of a medical necessity, possibly, if there are no other alternatives, but in the case of recreational use absolutely not. This paper will weigh the pros and cons on each side of this debate and show that although there may be some benefit to legalization, the negative repercussions far outweigh those benefits. One of the premises that advocates f...

• Word Count: 4020
• Approx Pages: 16
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate