LEGALIZING MEDICAL MARIJUANA

To know Marijuana is significant because we will be able to know the importance of medical marijuana, the side effects and the advantages/disadvantages.  Marijuana is a greenish-gray mixture of the dried flowers of Cannabis sativa.  The term Marijuana is oftentimes interchangeably with Cannabis, which is the plant genus that is used as a drug.  If Marijuana is from Cannabis sativa which is used as drugs, therefore Marijuana is a drug.  However, Marijuana is not legally used as drugs in many countries like the Philippines because it is dangerous and has highly addictive effects.  Strict prescription is restricted in other countries.  The use of medical marijuana is to relieve serious and chronic symptoms.  Studies report that medical Cannabis/Marijuana is used for depression and anxiety disorder.  It has more than cannabinoid chemicals including cannabidiol and tetrahydorocannabinol which help to manage the stress.  Cannabis also helps seizures, sleep issues, chronic pain, nausea, vomiting caused by cancer treatment like chemotherapy, weight loss, glaucoma, Alzheimer’s disease, and epilepsy to name some.  Because of Cannabis effects like euphoria, mood changes, relaxation, increased appetite, Marijuana is used recreationally.  But since it is not widely approved (but in few countries only) as drug, therefore it is classified as illegal.

Marijuana is considered an herbal medicine.  But because it is not yet approved by BFAD in the Philippines, it is consider illegal that is why it is not openly available in the market, and anything found of using it is considered crime, and nobody wants to be outlaw.  The pending studies are still ongoing whether or not it should legalize.  There is a very long and old debate about Marijuana – the argument is that should it be legalized? And it can be abused if it will legalize.   By late 1800’s, cannabis extracts were sold in pharmacies and doctors offices in Europe and United States to treat stomach problems and other ailment. Dr. Jose P. Rizal even mentioned the illegal opium in Noli Me Tangere, like marijuana, to have the sense of calm and releif of pain  In early 1900S, the United State made the drug illegal due to fear to cause serious threat to public health, and other countries followed.  We are in 2024 now, and with several studies that have made about the use of Marijuana, medical marijuana should be now legalized so that we can serve many patients who badly need the benefits of Marijuana.  Since the early 20^th century, how many people had been suffered in the illness that actually curable/ but we deprived because of illegalization of Marijuana?  And how many more patients will we deprive their suffering and their pains?  And how many suffering patients have died in pain just because we cannot give the cure?  Why we prolong their pain and suffering?  It is more humane to ease the pain rather than worry the abuse of it that we can actually control.  I believe the control can be still imposed by following the pharmacy’s restriction and buy chasing those illegally use it.

Coming up with this discussion is timely and important.  After the COVID-19 pandemic, we became informed and well alert about mental health.  Mental health like anxiety, panic disorder, and depression are difficult to deal with and are not to be ignored.  With the stress management benefits that can get from Cannabis/Marijuana, we should use this to address the serious battle of mental health.  Although it could abuse but then again, that is the reason of strict guidance from medical experts.  Therefore it is essential to disclose that you’re using cannabis to your psychiatrist, primary care physician, and any doctor who prescribes medication to you.  Catriona Grey, a famous Filipina commercial model who clinched the title of a prestigious beauty contest in 2018 said “am for it being used in a medical used but not so for recreational use” when asked her opinion about the legalization of marijuana.  She added that everything is good but in moderation, and I totally agree with her.  Why don’t we give medical marijuana the chance to legally use specially those who have stage-4 cancer?  There are so many people we deprived to live just because Marijuana is illegal.  Why we prolong the suffering of the patients if there is actually cure that is already scientifically proven?  If there are medical studies that say Marijuana cures, then I would be in favor of legalizing medical Marijuana but we should have strict regulation.