Legalizing Medical Marijuana

By: Ashley Spears, Karen Robinson, Rosalind Chadbourne and Anna Ponder

5 Amazing Facts about Marijuana

THC and CBD, marijuana’s primary cannabinoids, are both cancer killers

Marijuana triggers neurogenesis which means it leads to brain cell growth

Suicide rates are lower in areas where medical marijuana is available

There is zero evidence that marijuana causes significant lung damage

There are two completely difference types of marijuana Sativa: day-time; used for seeking

depression relief, PTSD, anxiety Indica: often smoked at night; suffering

from type of pain, insomnia

http://www.chicagonow.com/chicago-medical-marijuana/2013/10/5-amazing-things-you-didnt-know-about-marijuana/

The Public’s Perception

“In any civilized society, it is every citizen’s responsibility to obey just laws. But at the same time, it is every citizen’s responsibility to disobey unjust laws.” -Martin Luther King Jr.

Classification of Marijuana Members of Congress currently trying to

reschedule marijuana, a Schedule I drug

http://iacknowledge.net/lawmakers-send-obama-letter-demanding-marijuana-be-removed-from-schedule-i-classification/

State Legalization

Medical marijuana allowed – 19 states

Medical and recreational marijuana allowed – 2 states

2 Main Positive Effects of Legalizing Medical Marijuana

Medical purposes: Proven to benefit many illnesses that didn’t

respond as well to pharmaceutical medications: AIDS, chronic neuropathic pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, nausea in chemotherapy patients

Economic Purposes: Large revenue received from taxes;

dispensaries help improve local economies

10 Major Health Benefits (1) Migraines

Doctors in California report they have been able to treat more than 300,000 cases with the use of medical marijuana

(2) Slows tumor growth Research done by the American Association for

Cancer Research (3) Relieves symptoms of certain chronic

diseases (4)Prevents Alzheimer’s (5)Treats glaucoma (6) Prevents Seizures

Marijuana is a muscle relaxant that has “antispasmodic” qualities

(7)Helps those with ADD & ADHD (8) Can treat MS (9)Helps relieve PMS (10) Helps calm those with tourette’s and

OCD

Negative Effects of Marijuana

Short-term effects rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure, increased rate of breathing, slowed reaction time

Young users smoking marijuana can result in structural and functional deficits of the brain, lowered learning capabilities, shortened attention span

Heavy users can result in fertility problems, short-term memory loss, anxiety and depression

Why Schedule I Drug? Tolerance may develop; psychological withdrawals Can trigger or exacerbate certain mental disorders May be a gateway drug leading to other

dependencies