Medical Marijuana Pros and Cons
The debate over the legalization of marijuana and the medicinal use has been a hot topic for the last several decades and is viewed favorably by most people. You may be wondering if consuming marijuana as medicine is the right choice for you? We want to help you weigh the medical marijuana pros and cons and ultimately find out if it’s the right choice for you.
The opinions on both sides of the medical marijuana issue present valid arguments, however the list of both the pros and cons of medical marijuana will continue to grow as research is documented and made available to the general public through a variety of resources.
Is Marijuana Addictive?
In theory, you can abuse any substance including food, alcohol and prescription medications. With that in mind, is marijuana addictive?
Pro – Marijuana is not an addictive drug for adults.
It is commonly agreed that people do not become physically or psychologically addictive. Cannabis use has proven to create some psychological dependencies but this is more people because enjoy the feeling and relief they get from MJ. There is very little, if any, evidence that suggests that marijuana is addictive, which is not the case with nicotine and other illicit substances.
Con – Marijuana could be an addictive drug for young people.
It has been said that some young individuals begin to show signs of marijuana addiction only after very frequent or regular long-term use.
Early and regular marijuana use has proven to be the primary factor in the increased risk of marijuana addiction. An Individual who begins using marijuana in their adolescent years is approximately 2 to 4 times as likely to develop symptoms of dependency as a person who begins to use cannabis as an adult.
Are there health risks from smoking marijuana?
Here are both sides of the debate in determining if there are health risks from consuming cannabis.
Pro – Smoking marijuana does not present any significant health risks.
Cannabis has been smoked in many countries around the world for centuries, and for more than four decades in Western civilization. With its widespread use around the world, there have been zero reported cases of lung cancer or emphysema attributed to marijuana and no other documented cases of health risks from smoking marijuana.
Con – There may be some health risks from smoking marijuana.
Marijuana smoke, like tobacco smoke, is an irritant to the throat and lungs.
Large airway inflammation, increased airway resistance, and lung hyperinflation and chronic bronchitis are all health risks from smoking marijuana. Smoking marijuana may also reduce the respiratory system’s immune response.
Marijuana for Pain Relief
Marijuana pain relief and pain management are the most common uses for medical marijuana. Many patients report significant improvements from the addition of medical cannabis to their pain management.
Pro – Marijuana should be used for Pain Relief
Research has proven that the use of medicinal cannabis for chronic pain is in fact safe, and does work. The best arguments for the use of marijuana for pain relief are:
- That it has no known lethal dose,
- That there are minimal interactions with other drugs,
- That it is easily taken orally, vaporized, or by topical absorption, thereby completely avoiding the potential risks associated with smoking, if the patient chooses one of these alternate methods of consumption.
Con – There really aren’t any!
