A very important and controversial issue is whether or not marijuana should be legal for medicinal use or not. Thirty-six states have already passed legislation to allow marijuana’s use as a medicine, but federal law preempts these statutes. Washington State is one of the many states that have passed legislation allowing it. Although many people may think differently, marijuana can help people with debilitating diseases. At times, it may be the

The use of marijuana in general is a very controversial subject. Do the medical advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Can society ever look and think of marijuana as anything other than a recreational “gateway” drug. Whether or not, medical-grade marijuana can help many terminally ill patients and shouldn’t they have access to any medication that can help their pain, even if it is marijuana.

The Institute of Medicine ruled, after a wide range of scientific studies, that marijuana can be effective as medicine. Evidence to support this includes statistics such as; 44% of oncologists said they had recommended marijuana to their cancer patients, 54% said they would recommend medical marijuana to their patients if it were legal. Several studies have shown that marijuana is effective in reducing nausea and vomiting and patients undergoing chemotherapy have found smoking marijuana to be more effective than pharmacy medications like Marinol. Marijuana is smoked by thousands of AIDS patients to treat nausea and vomiting associated with both the disease and AZT drug therapy because it stimulates appetite. “Wasting” is countered allowing AIDS patients to gain weight and prolong their lifetime.

Patients who meet all of these requirements must also have proof of their identity and show it to any law enforcement officer who questions the patient regarding his/her use of medical marijuana. Valid documentation can be a statement signed by the patient’s physician or a copy of the patient’s pertinent medical records. Records must say that, in the physician’s professional opinion, “the potential benefits of the medical use of marijuana would likely outweigh the health risks”, for that patient.

best thing to lessen their pain and suffering.

The Washington State Medicinal Marijuana Act (Initiative 692) states in chapter 69.51A, “Patients with a qualifying diagnosis and a physician’s recommendation for the medicinal use of mari

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