The Etownian >> Opinion
Chronic relieves pain in New Jersey
Thursday January 28 2010
New Jersey legislation permits the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. The law is limited to patients diagnosed with cancer, AIDS, muscular dystrophy, Lou Gherig’s disease, and M. S.
New Jersey is now the fourteenth state to allow medicinal marijuana, and there are many who disapprove of this action. Although marijuana has been used medicinally for over 2000 years in some areas of the world, debates still continue about whether it is safe. Even after hundreds of scientific studies, a general consensus of its effects has not yet been reached. Also, opponents feel that legalizing marijuana in the medical world will increase illegal trafficking on the streets. Is it advisable for other states to follow in New Jersey’s path and help patients with chronic illnesses feel some relief? Or do the risks of using this drug outweigh any potential benefits?
First, the fear of marijuana’s side effects seems unnecessary. What prescription drug in use today has absolutely zero side effects? In many circumstances, additional drugs are needed to combat the sleeplessness or increased blood pressure that several pain relievers trigger. While this combination of drugs is not only costly, the long-term effects, such as organ damage, could be dangerous as well. Also, drugs can build up and remain in the body after patients stop taking them, which could unexpectedly cause a terrible reaction with another medication.
Opponents argue that legalization of marijuana will set a precedent for more illegal drug use on the streets. However, the government has already legalized drugs for medicinal purposes that remain illicit when bought on the street. Take morphine, for example: it is still used for medical reasons, yet one can only legally obtain it with a prescription. Morphine will continue to be sold on the streets, just as marijuana will be, whether it is medically legal or not. In fact, illegal trafficking of marijuana might decrease since many New Jersey patients will now have access to relief with a prescription.
There are many benefits of medicinal marijuana. Chemo patients are able to alleviate their nausea during treatments. Those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS can use marijuana to help offset weight loss that is caused by the virus. People with M.S. can experience relief from frequent muscle spasms. Instead of having to resort to dangerous drug deals on the streets for unparalleled pain relief, patients can safely obtain marijuana with their physicians’ prescriptions.
Some argue that New Jersey was too stingy with the bill by only allowing people diagnosed with a few conditions to obtain medical marijuana. However, a bill about marijuana is bound to raise controversy. By approving a smaller amount of conditions to be treated by marijuana, the bill seems less scandalous, and it is more likely to pass. As time goes on and the population begins to see the benefits of medicinal marijuana, more conditions may be included in the bill. Hopefully, in the future, skeptics will see how helpful medical marijuana is for those with chronic illnesses.
The Etownian >> Opinion