There are many who believe medicinal marijuana is in fact a beneficial way to cure patients of their aches and pains. Studies show that in the late 20th and 21st centuries, medical research has revealed various therapeutic effects of marijuana ("The Editors"). Yet, medical marijuana is frequently favored by its patients, and may include risk of an emotional addiction. Stated by Medical Doctor, and former US Senator Bill Frist, "Although I understand many believe marijuana is the most effective drug in combating their medical ailments, I would caution against this assumption due to the lack of consistent, repeatable scientific data available to prove marijuana's medical benefits" ("Top").
Many assume that because the majority of people that have used marijuana for medical reasons have reported a positive outcome, that it should, all of a sudden, become legalized. They argue that if it is proven to work, then why keep it from helping people? Although, according to the NEI, medical marijuana may have no medicinal value at all. "In an effort to determine whether marijuana, or drugs derived from marijuana, might be effective as a glaucoma treatment, the National Eye Institute (NEI) supported research studies beginning in 1978. However, none of these studies demonstrated that marijuana -- or any of its components -- could lower IOP as effectively as drugs already on the market. In addition, some potentially serious side effects were noted, including an increased heart rate and a decrease in blood pressure in studies using smoked marijuana.
The identification of side effects from smoked marijuana, coupled with the emergence of highly effective FDA-approved medications for glaucoma treatment, may have led to diminished interest in this research area" ("Top"). Side effects of marijuana can be deadly, and those that claim that it works in their favor, have become addicted to it, or already were in the first place, and are claiming to have a medical ailment to acquire it.
