Http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4438498.stm
Evidence for beneficial effects
There is some evidence to show the beneficial effects of cannabis:
A recent study in New York (28/06/07) showed that cannabis significantly increased calorie intake and body weight in HIV patients.
Http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=7289
A study in the US showed that cannabis reduces nausea and vomiting after cancer chemotherapy.
Http://www.cannabis-med.org/english/bulletin/ww_en_db_cannabis_artikel.php?id=193#1
In a survey in 1997, 97% of MS patients said that cannabis improved their muscle spasms.
Http://mspu.org/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=7&MMN_position=7:
In 2003 over 600 people took part in the CAMS (Cannabis in Multiple Sclerosis) blind trial. They took oral capsules containing either whole cannabis extract, THC, or a placebo. There wasn’t a significant improvement in among those given treatment with cannabis extract or THC, even though the patients did say that they felt their symptoms had improved - particularly their pain, sleep quality and spasms, though not irritability, depression, tiredness, tremor or energy levels. The researchers did find that patients taking the cannabis extract showed an improvement in the time taken to walk 10m.
Http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/ask_the_doctor/cannabisms.shtml
These studies prove that cannabis does benefit many sufferers. However, studies have not yet proven the benefit of this drug for those people with cancer.
Side effects
Although cannabis has beneficial effects, I also has some side effects. They include forgetfulness, lack of concentration, increased heart rate, being paranoid, dry mouth and throat, and being hungry (‘munchies’).
Http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_(drug)
Cannabis does have health risks. Some of these effects include blood-shot eyes with dilated pupils. Some are similar to those of tobacco (e.g. lung cancer, heart disease and bronchitis)
Http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_(drug)
Who uses cannabis recreationally?
Cannabis is used by a huge variety of people, mostly teenagers or older. They can be from any country, follow any religion, have any job and could be from any socio-economic group. There is no certain group of people that definitely do or do not use cannabis recreationally.
Http://www.friendlystranger.com/info/what.htm
It was revealed that Prince Harry had smoked cannabis in the summer of 2001.
Http://observer.guardian.co.uk/drugs/story/0,,686503,00.html
Recently, even top Cabinet ministers (like Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and Chancellor Alistair Darling) have admitted to have illegally smoked cannabis in the past.
Http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6907040.stm, Thursday July 19, 2007
Why do people smoke it?
Cannabis is smoked to make people feel better. Although some people use it for therapeutic purposes, many use it to make them happy, sociable, relaxed and calm. This is because the positive effects of the drug include talkativeness, cheerfulness, relaxation, light-headedness, hallucinations, laughter, feeling of euphoria, and greater appreciation of sound and colour. This is known as being 'high' or 'stoned'.
Http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_(drug)
Is cannabis addictive?
People may form a habit of taking cannabis, but it is not addictive like nicotine, caffeine and alcohol are. An addictive drug is reinforcing, produces withdrawal symptoms and produces tolerance. Cannabis, however, is only reinforcing (as it feels good).
Http://www.friendlystranger.com/info/what.htm
Has anyone ever died from smoking it?
Cannabis is not toxic, so no one has yet died directly from smoking cannabis. Http://www.friendlystranger.com/info/what.htm
Arguments ‘for’
Cannabis is very useful for therapeutic uses. As mentioned above, it can help to relieve the symptoms of many illnesses, including AIDS, cancer, glaucoma MS and anorexia. If made legal, thousands of lives would be improved. This drug also has a similar effect to your heart as exercise does, which is just an added benefit.
Http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/hottopics/cannabis
Many people say that drugs are harmful. However, cannabis is actually less harmful than tobacco and alcohol. As the graph (diagram 1) below shows, although alcohol and tobacco are both unclassified they have a higher mean harm score rating than cannabis. This source is reliable as the score was rated by independent experts.
Diagram 1: Table showing the mean harm score rated by experts
Http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/5230006.stm
Surprisingly, there have been no deaths in the past thousands of years caused directly by taking cannabis. Therefore, cannabis can be taken without the fear of causing fatal damage.
Another benefit of cannabis is that it is not addictive. This means users can stop taking it when they like.
Legalising cannabis as a medical drug will also decrease the crime rate. The reason for this is because there are many people currently using it illegally for relief from their illnesses. Earlier this year (2007), a woman, Karen Grevis, with multiple sclerosis was arrested after thieves had stolen from the 100 cannabis plants she was growing. She only used the drug for personal use, for pain relief. After she was given a conditional discharge, she stopped cultivating cannabis, so is in constant pain. If cannabis was legal, then she would not be suffering as she is now. She said, ‘What can I do now? The government should either make cannabis available on the NHS or give people like me some sort of amnesty.’
The Guardian newspaper, Tuesday May 22, 2007
Arguments ‘against’
On the other hand, there is a lack of consistent, repeatable scientific data to prove the beneficial effects of cannabis. It is also not totally safe. Dame Helena Shovelton, chief executive of the British Lung Foundation, said, 'It seems society is in the same position as when research first showed the harm caused by tobacco. It took 15 years for the Government to take notice but we don't want to repeat the mistakes of the past.’
The Daily Mail newspaper, June 26, 2007
Cannabis can also interfere with memory, perception, and judgement, making it dangerous to do everyday things, like drive. When smoked it may damage the brain, heart, lungs and immune system. It has even been said that cannabis has cancer-causing compounds.
Http://www.medicalmarijuanaprocon.org/top10.htm
Many experts say that cannabis could cause mental illness. A study in Sweden of 50 000 people showed that regularly users of cannabis were six times more likely to develop schizophrenia than those who didn’t. A professor from the Institute of Psychiatry, Robin Murray has found similar results, and describes the link as ‘very clear’. However, although there is a link between cannabis and mental illness, it is not known if it is a causal link. Professor John Zajicek said, ‘The question is whether there is a causal link. This has not yet been established.’
The Daily Mail newspaper, January 26, 2005
The table below (Diagram 2) shows the percentage of young teenagers with mental disorders that have smoke, drink alcohol or take cannabis. It shows that the highest percentage from each disorder, (expect hyperkinetic) take cannabis at least once a month.
(Diagram 2) Prevalence of mental disorders by smoking, drinking and cannabis use among children aged 11-15 years, 1999
Http://www.statistics.gov.uk/CCI/nugget.asp?ID=853&Pos=2&ColRank=2&Rank=528
I think that the table above is reliable because it is a government statistic.
One worry for legalizing it is that cannabis could be a ‘gateway’ drug to more harmful substances like heroin. Also, there is also the problem of people using the drug for non-medicinal purposes.
Conclusion
In my opinion, cannabis should be used as a medical drug. I think this because it could improve the lives of thousands of people. Current users will not have to worry about getting caught by the police if they use it for medicinal purposes.
Evidence such as Diagram 2 does show a correlation between cannabis and mental disorders, but it does not prove that the drug caused the disorders.
Regarding the harmful effects of cannabis, I think that the benefit outweighs the risk. It is almost guaranteed that cannabis will bring relief from symptoms, but it is not certain if it will cause harm. There are legal substances, like alcohol and tobacco, which are more harmful than cannabis (as Diagram 1 shows) so why shouldn’t cannabis be legal too?
Bibliography
Websites:
www.bbc.co.uk/science/hottopics/cannabis
(A well known website, so is reliable)
www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_(drug)
(A popular encyclopaedia, so is reliable)
www.tdpf.org.uk/Policy_Timeline.htm#y1997
(A reliable, factual website about drug polices)
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/panorama/4079668.stm
(A well known website, so is reliable)
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4438498.stm
(Updated Tuesday, 15 November 2005
A well known website, so is reliable)
www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=7289
(This is a website for an American national organisation for the reform of cannabis laws. It contains news regarding cannabis, which I found useful and reliable enough for use in my coursework)
www.bbc.co.uk/health/ask_the_doctor/cannabisms.shtml
(A well known website, so is reliable)
www.friendlystranger.com/info/what.htm
(This website sells cannabis. However, it also informs people about it, so I think it is quiet reliable)
www.medicalmarijuanaprocon.org/top10.htm
(This website discusses whether cannabis should be a medical purpose. It includes different opinions and also some facts, so I think it is reliable and suitable to use)
www.cannabis-med.org/english/bulletin/ww_en_db_cannabis_artikel.php?id=
193
(The website of the International Association for Cannabis as Medicine. It has a lot of reliable information on the medical use of cannabis)
www.mspu.org/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=7&MMN_position=7:
(A website for Multiple Sclerosis patients. Includes reliable information)
www.observer.guardian.co.uk/drugs/story/0,,686503,00.html
(A website for a well-known newspaper)
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6907040.stm
(Updated Thursday July 19, 2007
A well known website, so is reliable)
Diagram 1
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/5230006.stm
(A well known website, so is reliable)
Diagram 2
www.statistics.gov.uk/CCI/nugget.asp?ID=853&Pos=2&ColRank=2&Rank=528
(It is reliable as it is a government statistics website)
Newspapers:
The Daily Mail newspaper
January 26, 2005
(A tabloid with some reliable information)
The Daily Mail newspaper
June 26, 2007
(A tabloid with some reliable information)
The Guardian newspaper
Tuesday May 22, 2007
(A broadsheet, usually with reliable information)
