Marijuana:
Natures Medicine
By Seth
Bartley
Introduction
Imagine if you or a close family member
were suffering from an illness that there was no cure for, and the only
treatment that provided any relief was an herb that you could grow naturally
behind your home or in the woods. Now imagine that this herb was illegalized by
your government. Such is the case concerning cancer patients and there
preferred apatite stimulant marijuana. I believe that medical marijuana should
be legalized in the
Definitions
Canibis Sativa- This is the plant’s scientific classification.
Indian Hemp- This is what it was called before early propaganda videos gave it the name
Marijuana- This is its Mexican name. Early films gave it the name because racisms was huge back in the 50’s and it gave it a false Mexican origin.
THC-Tetra-Hydra-Cannibinol-This is the active ingredient. Marijuana also contains over 60 cannibinoids and 200 chemicals that are believed can make medicines to relieve pain, stimulate appetite in cancer patients, and even prevent stroke and brain damage.
Controlled Substance-
Marijuana is a controlled substance. There are two types of controlled
substances.
Schedule I – Totally Illegal
Schedule II – Legal if Prescribed
History
Prohibition
Marijuana was cheap alternative to alcohol. It became very popular.
Prohibition ended
The Mob controlled most of the alcohol Industry and saw marijuana as a threat so they published several propaganda films. Reefer Madness was one of these. It depicted a man who smoked a joint and then killed his whole family because of it. Truly false.
This introduced Americans to their new imaginary enemy “Marijuana”.
This was also when the Mexican name was introduced.
Hemp Market at Beginning of Century
25,000 different products
80% of all paper and textile products
Cotton and wood pulp paper gaining popularity-cheaper to produce
1917 striping machine patented (200-300 hrs. to 2-3 hrs. per acre).
By 1936 very affordable and high tech
Hemp paper, Quicker, Faster, Cheaper, and Better Quality at that time
Popular Mechanics Magazine (Hemp US
Next Billion dolor crop)
Dupont
Stood to loose 80% of its revenues and bankruptcy if this happened because of there investments in wood pulp paper.
Mellon appointed Nephew Harry J. Anslinger head of Federal Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (FBNDD) DEA
His nephew then returned the favor and pressed all his resources to the illegalization of marijuana.
The Fall
Pressure from Alcohol Industry
Pressure from Wood and cotton industry (DuPont)
Nation filled with lies and propaganda,
Mellons Nephew, Harry, gave principal testimony for marijuana prohibition saying: "Marijuana is the most violence causing drug in the history of mankind." "Most marijuana smokers are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz and swing, result from marijuana usage. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes."
Poor people, Blacks, Mexican Americans did not have a voice in corrupt racist government.
Poor people seek inexpensive, natural treatment
Marijuana Tax Act of 1937
Illegal
unless prescribed
Taxed purchase
Very Hard/Long Time to apply and be approved
First Step to prohibition
The same year it was classified under Schedule I Controlled Substance
History Argues For Me
Law was unjustified/was not supported by facts about the drug
Medical knowledge today directly refutes the opposition and supports that this natural drug does contain valuable medical properties and purposes.
Just the Facts
“There is no convincing data that medical legalization would lead to an increase in recreational use.”
“Marijuana is less addictive than alcohol or nicotine.” and
“There is no physiological evidence that marijuana is a gateway to harder drugs like cocaine or heroin.”
Largest, longest study on marijuana use found:
NO evidence that long-term marijuana use permanently damages intelligence or memory, directly contradicting another of the government's primary arguments about marijuana's dangers
Dr. Lyle Craker contributor to New England Journal of Medicine Applies for 10 grams of marijuana from the only authorized grower in the nation. (Enough for 10 joints)
Almost 5 years later, no approval
If this is what our scientist have to go through to receive such small amounts to perform studies, then it is no wonder there is a lack of medical information from studies.
Conclusion
It all comes down to the fact Marijuana Prohibition legislation was influenced by racism, corruption, deceit, misinformation, and outright lies. It was a mistake made by our government long ago and has yet to be corrected. This natural medicine could lead to the ending of much suffering and violence around the world. Instead of people selling it to each other creating crime, they could be growing it in there back yard. Science should be in the hands of scientists, not political ideologues.
Sources
Here are the sources I used to gather the information I used in this argument.
Ask Jevees. Ask Jeeves, Inc.
<www.ask.com>
Common Sense for Drug Policy. Mike
Gray.
Koch, Kathy. “Abstract: Medical
Marijuana.” CQ Researcher. 9:31.
National Organization for the Reform of
Marijuana Laws. Norml.
Neinstein LS, Heischober BS (2002).
Marijuana. In LS Neinstein, ed., Adolescent Health Care: A Practical Guide,
4th ed., pp. 1314–1322.