Marijuana, also known as Cannabis Sativa L., is classified as a schedule 1 drug by the United States government, a drug that is considered to be highly addictive, have a high potential for abuse, and lacks any medicinal benefits. Marijuana is deemed by the government to be a far more dangerous drug than cocaine and opioids, yet the Department of Human and Health Services holds a patent for a chemical in marijuana strictly for medicinal purposes. These contrasting perspectives and positions displayed by the United States government are reflected in the debate of medical marijuana as a viable source of treatment by doctors, scientists, and the public.
Marijuana as a treatment for chronic pain, severe epilepsy, and other detrimental disorders, has only begun to be recognized in the past ten years. With such heavy enforcement imposed by the government, marijuana was not considered or taken seriously until recently. Marijuana, or Cannabis Sativa L., is a hemp plant-based drug containing the chemicals, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD). THC evokes a psychoactive component, the source of marijuana's labeling as "dangerous" or "addictive." CBD however, does not have a psychoactive component, rather containing anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, antipsychotics, etc. effects which make it a viable chemical for medical treatments. Medical marijuana plants are those that are low in THC and high in CBD allowing the patient to reap the benefits of the CBD chemical while avoiding the "high" or psychoactive feeling provided by THC.
Though marijuana is illegal and heavily restricted under federal laws, a vast number of states have voted to make medical marijuana available to those with a prescription from a doctor, allow dispensaries in the state, and more recently, a select few states have passed laws allowing for the use of marijuana recreationally.
Additionally, products containing CBD such as oil and pills, have hit the market and have been made popular by their calming and curing effects for pain.
After watching documentaries and understanding more about how medical marijuana has changed the lives of many individuals and alleviated their struggles, countless proponents have asked the question, "Why can't the government just re-schedule marijuana to a schedule 2 drug?" Making marijuana a schedule 2 drug recognizes its ability to have medical benefits and helps those who are trying to obtain marijuana for medical relief. The problem with this is in order to re-schedule marijuana, it needs to undergo a vast variety of research and clinical trials providing substantial evidence that it has medical benefits. However, since marijuana is currently a schedule 1 drug, it is very difficult to conduct clinical trials and research with the government's firm stance, placing marijuana in a tough position. Congress retains the power to pass legislation allowing marijuana to be rescheduled, but they have failed to do.
It is through watching these documentaries that more members of the public take a stance, calling for Congress and the United States Government to conduct more formal testing to listen to the evidence that has already been shown, to address the epidemic and hopefully help to save lives. The government claims that they have done all the testing necessary as can be seen through the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health databases, but fail to acknowledge the proof shown by clinical trials conducted in states where medical marijuana has been legalized. Now with the legalization of medical marijuana becoming more widespread throughout the country, more doctors, researchers, and scientists are initiating the organization of studies to provide further proof which the government cannot deny.
Just recently, the 2018 farm bill was passed which has had bipartisan support and contains the legalization of the growing of hemp. Hemp is high in CBD, and low in THC so it cannot get you high, but this bill is still monumental in the growing fight for the legalization of marijuana products.
