Debate Digest: Teacher-student friendships on Facebook, Law school, Balanced budget amendment, US debt ceiling deal.
Debate: Medical marijuana dispensaries
From Debatepedia
Revision as of 21:14, 18 June 2010 (edit) Brooks Lindsay (Talk | contribs) (→Con) ← Previous diff |
Current revision (22:45, 15 October 2010) (edit) Brooks Lindsay (Talk | contribs) (→No) |
||
Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
===Background and context === | ===Background and context === | ||
[[Image:Marijuana dispensaries.jpg|left|200px]][[Image:Medical marijuana dispensary.jpg|right|200px]] | [[Image:Marijuana dispensaries.jpg|left|200px]][[Image:Medical marijuana dispensary.jpg|right|200px]] | ||
- | Medical marijuana dispensaries have been popping up in different places across the United States and in other countries as well. It is deeply connected with the medical marijuana debate, but it has more specific implications as well. Some of these include whether medical marijuana dispensaries will have negative effects on the communities where they are located. Will crime increase in these areas? Can dispensaries be properly regulated to ensure against fraud, faked prescriptions, or just shady prescriptions for individuals with insignificant or debatably significant illnesses. Are whole dispensaries required, or should marijuana only be carried in traditional pharmacies? | + | Medical marijuana dispensaries have been popping up in different places across the United States and in other countries as well. They are designed to supply individuals with medical needs for marijuana, so they are deeply connected with the medical marijuana debate. While connected to this larger debate, dispensaries have their own set of pros and cons to consider. Some of these include whether medical marijuana dispensaries will have negative effects on the communities where they are located. Will crime increase in these areas? Can dispensaries be properly regulated to ensure against fraud, faked prescriptions, or just shady prescriptions for individuals with insignificant or debatably-significant illnesses? Are whole dispensaries required, or should marijuana only be carried in traditional pharmacies? Are they economically beneficial, or can they harm businesses in surrounding communities? These and other questions are addressed below. |
|} | |} | ||
Line 26: | Line 26: | ||
====Pro==== | ====Pro==== | ||
- | *'''Marijuana dispensaries are not drug rings.''' Darcy Hughes, who used to manage the dispensary B Green in Los Angeles, said in 2010 after her and other's dispensaries were closed: "It's like treating us like drug dealers. It's not right."[http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127524925] | + | *'''[[Argument: Marijuana dispensaries are not drug rings| Marijuana dispensaries are not drug rings]]''' Darcy Hughes, who used to manage the dispensary B Green in Los Angeles, said in 2010 after her and other's dispensaries were closed: "It's like treating us like drug dealers. It's not right."[http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127524925] |
*'''[[Argument: Medical marijuana dispensaries are professional institutions| Medical marijuana dispensaries are professional institutions]]''' [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/24/us/24pot.html Jesse McKinley. "Don’t Call It ‘Pot’ in This Circle; It’s a Profession." NYTimes. April 23, 2010]: "Like hip-hop, health food and snowboarding, marijuana is going corporate. As more and more states allow medical use of the drug, and California considers outright legalization, marijuana’s supporters are pushing hard to burnish the image of pot by franchising dispensaries and building brands; establishing consulting, lobbying and law firms; setting up trade shows and a seminar circuit; and constructing a range of other marijuana-related businesses." | *'''[[Argument: Medical marijuana dispensaries are professional institutions| Medical marijuana dispensaries are professional institutions]]''' [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/24/us/24pot.html Jesse McKinley. "Don’t Call It ‘Pot’ in This Circle; It’s a Profession." NYTimes. April 23, 2010]: "Like hip-hop, health food and snowboarding, marijuana is going corporate. As more and more states allow medical use of the drug, and California considers outright legalization, marijuana’s supporters are pushing hard to burnish the image of pot by franchising dispensaries and building brands; establishing consulting, lobbying and law firms; setting up trade shows and a seminar circuit; and constructing a range of other marijuana-related businesses." | ||
Line 32: | Line 32: | ||
*'''[[Argument: Marijuana dispensaries should be regulated, but allowed| Marijuana dispensaries should be regulated, but allowed]]''' The answer to the many possible challenges faced by Marijuana dispensaries - including fraudulent prescriptions and crime outside of dispensaries - is regulation. The answer is not to ban dispensaries out right.[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35105327/ns/health-health_care/] | *'''[[Argument: Marijuana dispensaries should be regulated, but allowed| Marijuana dispensaries should be regulated, but allowed]]''' The answer to the many possible challenges faced by Marijuana dispensaries - including fraudulent prescriptions and crime outside of dispensaries - is regulation. The answer is not to ban dispensaries out right.[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35105327/ns/health-health_care/] | ||
- | *'''Marijuana is natural; dispensaries should be allowed.''' Cedaredge Town Council Trustee Nancy Sturgill said in 2009: "This [marijuana] is a very natural product, said Sturgill, and I don’t feel confident in denying Cedaredge residents access at this point.”[http://www.deltacountyindependent.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15774:cedaredge-delays-next-debate-on-pot-dispensaries&catid=36:sc&Itemid=346] | + | *'''[[Argument: Marijuana is natural; dispensaries should be allowed| Marijuana is natural; dispensaries should be allowed]]''' Cedaredge Town Council Trustee Nancy Sturgill said in 2009: "This [marijuana] is a very natural product, said Sturgill, and I don’t feel confident in denying Cedaredge residents access at this point.”[http://www.deltacountyindependent.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15774:cedaredge-delays-next-debate-on-pot-dispensaries&catid=36:sc&Itemid=346] |
- | *'''Marijuana dispensaries are key to pain relief.''' Art Santa Cruz, a 66-year-old Lansing man, said he would like to open a dispensary. He said he has severe back pain from a military stint in Vietnam or perhaps a car crash: "If it weren't for medical marijuana, I wouldn't be able to sleep. There has to be dispensaries. This is an important issue. The marijuana industry should be allowed to flourish. When pain goes away, I thank God."[http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100506/NEWS01/5060346/Lansing-might-regulate-pot-dispensaries] | + | *'''[[Argument: Marijuana dispensaries are key to enabling pain relief| Marijuana dispensaries are key to enabling pain relief]]''' Art Santa Cruz, a 66-year-old Lansing man, said he would like to open a dispensary. He said he has severe back pain from a military stint in Vietnam or perhaps a car crash: "If it weren't for medical marijuana, I wouldn't be able to sleep. There has to be dispensaries. This is an important issue. The marijuana industry should be allowed to flourish. When pain goes away, I thank God."[http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100506/NEWS01/5060346/Lansing-might-regulate-pot-dispensaries] |
|width="45%" bgcolor="#F2FAFB" style="border:1px solid #BAC5FD;padding:.4em;padding-top:0.5em;"| | |width="45%" bgcolor="#F2FAFB" style="border:1px solid #BAC5FD;padding:.4em;padding-top:0.5em;"| | ||
====Con==== | ====Con==== | ||
- | *'''Marinol pills can be prescribed; Marijuana is unnecessary.''' [http://www.observingcasually.com/the-case-against-medical-marijuana/ "The case against medical marijuana." The casual observer. March 31, 2010]: "A very basic question that I have is this. THC, the ingredient in marijuana that people are smoking it for, is available in pill form already. Why then do we need to have smoked marijuana available with all the problems that it brings? Marinol is a prescription medicine that can be prescribed by a doctor and dispensed from a controlled pharmacy." | + | *'''[[Argument: Marinol pills can be prescribed; Marijuana is unnecessary| Marinol pills can be prescribed; Marijuana is unnecessary]]''' [http://www.observingcasually.com/the-case-against-medical-marijuana/ "The case against medical marijuana." The casual observer. March 31, 2010]: "A very basic question that I have is this. THC, the ingredient in marijuana that people are smoking it for, is available in pill form already. Why then do we need to have smoked marijuana available with all the problems that it brings? Marinol is a prescription medicine that can be prescribed by a doctor and dispensed from a controlled pharmacy." |
- | *'''Medical marijuana prescriptions are often fraudulent.''' [http://www.observingcasually.com/the-case-against-medical-marijuana/ "The case against medical marijuana." The casual observer. March 31, 2010]: "On January 31, 2010 Christian Thurston published an article in the Denver Post entitled Smoke and Mirrors. Christian is the Medical Director of a substance abuse treatment program in Denver. Christian provided an example of a 19 year old being treated for “Severe Addiction”. This 19 year old walked in to dispensary, gave them $300 and discussed his depression with a “doctor”. He was then given a medical marijuana card. One pregnant woman was given a marijuana card to smoke because of her nausea. Yes, she was told to smoke marijuana during the pregnancy. We have people showing up to work stoned and claiming no foul because the marijuana was “prescribed” for them. We have 18 year olds obtaining a license to smoke joints daily for an ear ache, depression, etc." | + | *'''[[Argument: Medical marijuana prescriptions are often fraudulent| Medical marijuana prescriptions are often fraudulent]]''' [http://www.observingcasually.com/the-case-against-medical-marijuana/ "The case against medical marijuana." The casual observer. March 31, 2010]: "On January 31, 2010 Christian Thurston published an article in the Denver Post entitled Smoke and Mirrors. Christian is the Medical Director of a substance abuse treatment program in Denver. Christian provided an example of a 19 year old being treated for “Severe Addiction”. This 19 year old walked in to dispensary, gave them $300 and discussed his depression with a “doctor”. He was then given a medical marijuana card. One pregnant woman was given a marijuana card to smoke because of her nausea. Yes, she was told to smoke marijuana during the pregnancy. We have people showing up to work stoned and claiming no foul because the marijuana was “prescribed” for them. We have 18 year olds obtaining a license to smoke joints daily for an ear ache, depression, etc." |
*'''Whole marijuana dispensaries are excessive; pharmacies better.''' If marijuana dispensaries are indeed about providing marijuana for medical purposes, than entire dispensaries are probably excessive. Instead, why not carry medical marijuana in pharmacies? This would probably reduce the excessive supply and abuses, and would certainly eliminate concerns of shady crowds centering around dispensaries and creating concerns for local communities. | *'''Whole marijuana dispensaries are excessive; pharmacies better.''' If marijuana dispensaries are indeed about providing marijuana for medical purposes, than entire dispensaries are probably excessive. Instead, why not carry medical marijuana in pharmacies? This would probably reduce the excessive supply and abuses, and would certainly eliminate concerns of shady crowds centering around dispensaries and creating concerns for local communities. | ||
Line 54: | Line 54: | ||
====Pro==== | ====Pro==== | ||
- | *'''Crime outside of dispensaries no different then outside banks.''' Cumberland County Sheriff Mark Dion joined the Maine Civil Liberties Union, said on June 17th of 2010: "Medical marijuana is a public health issue, it's not a law enforcement problem. The data from California suggests that the risk of crime outside a dispensary is no greater than what we'd experience at a bank. So I think we should just move forward and exercise the common sense that the voters have demonstrated in repeated votes on this measure."[http://www.mpbn.net/News/MaineHeadlineNews/tabid/968/ctl/ViewItem/mid/3479/ItemId/12622/Default.aspx] | + | *'''[[Argument: Crime outside of dispensaries no different then outside banks| Crime outside of dispensaries no different then outside banks]]''' Cumberland County Sheriff Mark Dion joined the Maine Civil Liberties Union, said on June 17th of 2010: "Medical marijuana is a public health issue, it's not a law enforcement problem. The data from California suggests that the risk of crime outside a dispensary is no greater than what we'd experience at a bank. So I think we should just move forward and exercise the common sense that the voters have demonstrated in repeated votes on this measure."[http://www.mpbn.net/News/MaineHeadlineNews/tabid/968/ctl/ViewItem/mid/3479/ItemId/12622/Default.aspx] |
+ | |||
+ | *'''Crime surrounds many shops; should not stop dispensaries.''' Crime surrounds all kinds of legal shops, including strip clubs, banks, supermarkets, and bars. This fact does not mean that these shops should be closed. Nor should it be the case for marijuana dispensaries. | ||
+ | |||
+ | *'''Medical marijuana is unrelated to crime that surrounds dispensaries.''' The legitimate place of dispensaries in supplying individuals that suffer from illnesses with access to medicine must be separated from the crime that may or may not surround them. This crime is unrelated to the fundamental mission of medical marijuana dispensaries, so it should not be used against them, just as crime surrounding other legitimate businesses cannot be used to argue against the legitimate purpose of these businesses. | ||
*'''[[Argument: Raids on marijuana dispensaries have collateral damage| Raids on marijuana dispensaries have collateral damage]]''' Steph Sherer, medical marijuana patient and executive director of Americans for Safe Access (ASA), the nation's largest medical cannabis advocacy organization: "There has been a lot of collateral damage in the federal campaign against medical marijuana patients. We need to stop the prosecutions, bring the prisoners home, and begin working to eliminate the conflict between state and federal medical marijuana laws."[http://www.alternet.org/drugs/129383/marijuana_milestone:_no_more_raids_on_pot_dispensaries,_says_attorney_general/] | *'''[[Argument: Raids on marijuana dispensaries have collateral damage| Raids on marijuana dispensaries have collateral damage]]''' Steph Sherer, medical marijuana patient and executive director of Americans for Safe Access (ASA), the nation's largest medical cannabis advocacy organization: "There has been a lot of collateral damage in the federal campaign against medical marijuana patients. We need to stop the prosecutions, bring the prisoners home, and begin working to eliminate the conflict between state and federal medical marijuana laws."[http://www.alternet.org/drugs/129383/marijuana_milestone:_no_more_raids_on_pot_dispensaries,_says_attorney_general/] | ||
Line 63: | Line 67: | ||
====Con==== | ====Con==== | ||
- | *'''Crime surrounds many shops; should not stop dispensaries.''' Crime surrounds all kinds of legal shops, including strip clubs, banks, supermarkets, and bars. This fact does not mean that these shops should be closed. Nor should it be the case for marijuana dispensaries. | ||
- | |||
- | *'''Medical marijuana is unrelated to crime that surrounds dispensaries.''' The legitimate place of dispensaries in supplying individuals that suffer from illnesses with access to medicine must be separated from the crime that may or may not surround them. This crime is unrelated to the fundamental mission of medical marijuana dispensaries. | ||
Line 83: | Line 84: | ||
|WRITE CONTENT FOR THE "Pro" BOX ABOVE THIS CODE width="45%" bgcolor="#F2FAFB" style="border:1px solid #BAC5FD;padding:.4em;padding-top: 0.5em;"| | |WRITE CONTENT FOR THE "Pro" BOX ABOVE THIS CODE width="45%" bgcolor="#F2FAFB" style="border:1px solid #BAC5FD;padding:.4em;padding-top: 0.5em;"| | ||
====Con==== | ====Con==== | ||
- | ''Click "edit" and write arguments here'' | ||
+ | *'''Medical marijuana dispensaries can hurt surrounding businesses.''' Medical marijuana dispensaries can create an unfortunate local environment for other businesses. Some customers might not want to go to the grocery store right next door to the marijuana dispensary. This is a serious economic consideration. | ||
Line 98: | Line 99: | ||
*'''[[Argument: Marijuana is an effective medicine and treatment for many illnesses| Marijuana is an effective medicine and treatment for many illnesses]]''' ''Joycelyn Elders, M.D., Former U.S. Surgeon General. Op-ed: Providence Journal. March 26, 2004:'' "The evidence is overwhelming that marijuana can relieve certain types of pain, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms caused by such illnesses as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_sclerosis multiple sclerosis], cancer and AIDS -- or by the harsh drugs sometimes used to treat them. And it can do so with remarkable safety. Indeed, marijuana is less toxic than many of the drugs that physicians prescribe every day."[http://www.medicalmarijuanaprocon.org/top10.htm] | *'''[[Argument: Marijuana is an effective medicine and treatment for many illnesses| Marijuana is an effective medicine and treatment for many illnesses]]''' ''Joycelyn Elders, M.D., Former U.S. Surgeon General. Op-ed: Providence Journal. March 26, 2004:'' "The evidence is overwhelming that marijuana can relieve certain types of pain, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms caused by such illnesses as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_sclerosis multiple sclerosis], cancer and AIDS -- or by the harsh drugs sometimes used to treat them. And it can do so with remarkable safety. Indeed, marijuana is less toxic than many of the drugs that physicians prescribe every day."[http://www.medicalmarijuanaprocon.org/top10.htm] | ||
- | *'''Medicinal benefits of marijuana outweigh potential risks.''' Consumer Reports Magazine. "Marijuana as Medicine - How Strong Is the Science?" May 1997: "Consumer Reports believes that, for patients with advanced AIDS and terminal cancer, the apparent benefits some derive from smoking marijuana outweigh any substantiated or even suspected risks."[http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/viewanswers.asp?questionID=1325] | + | *'''[[Argument: Medicinal benefits of marijuana outweigh potential risks| Medical benefits of marijuana outweigh potential risks]]''' Consumer Reports Magazine. "Marijuana as Medicine - How Strong Is the Science?" May 1997: "Consumer Reports believes that, for patients with advanced AIDS and terminal cancer, the apparent benefits some derive from smoking marijuana outweigh any substantiated or even suspected risks."[http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/viewanswers.asp?questionID=1325] |
*'''[[Argument: Marijuana can provide patients with significant pain relief| Marijuana can provide patients with significant pain relief]]''' Joycelyn Elders, MD Former US Surgeon General. Editorial: Providence Journal. March 26, 2004]: "The evidence is overwhelming that marijuana can relieve certain types of pain, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms caused by such illnesses as multiple sclerosis, cancer and AIDS -- or by the harsh drugs sometimes used to treat them. And it can do so with remarkable safety. Indeed, marijuana is less toxic than many of the drugs that physicians prescribe every day." [http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/viewresource.asp?resourceID=000141] | *'''[[Argument: Marijuana can provide patients with significant pain relief| Marijuana can provide patients with significant pain relief]]''' Joycelyn Elders, MD Former US Surgeon General. Editorial: Providence Journal. March 26, 2004]: "The evidence is overwhelming that marijuana can relieve certain types of pain, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms caused by such illnesses as multiple sclerosis, cancer and AIDS -- or by the harsh drugs sometimes used to treat them. And it can do so with remarkable safety. Indeed, marijuana is less toxic than many of the drugs that physicians prescribe every day." [http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/viewresource.asp?resourceID=000141] | ||
Line 145: | Line 146: | ||
*'''[[Argument: Marijuana is a safer alternative to many medications| Marijuana is a safer alternative to many medications]]''' Philip Denney, MD, co-founder of a medical cannabis evaluation practice, stated the following in his Nov. 17, 2005, testimony to the Arkansas legislature in support of House Bill 1303: "An Act to Permit the Medical Use of Marijuana": "I have found in my study of these patients that cannabis is really a safe, effective and non-toxic alternative to many standard medications." | *'''[[Argument: Marijuana is a safer alternative to many medications| Marijuana is a safer alternative to many medications]]''' Philip Denney, MD, co-founder of a medical cannabis evaluation practice, stated the following in his Nov. 17, 2005, testimony to the Arkansas legislature in support of House Bill 1303: "An Act to Permit the Medical Use of Marijuana": "I have found in my study of these patients that cannabis is really a safe, effective and non-toxic alternative to many standard medications." | ||
- | *'''Marijuana is homeopathic alternative to pharmaceutical drugs.''' "Libertarian Party Condemns the Supreme Court Decision Against the Use of Medical Marijuana." The Libertarian Party. June 6, 2005: "The Libertarian Party is a long-standing advocate for individual liberty and believes that Americans should be responsible for their own actions and, in this case, be able to use alternative forms of medication outside of the realm of insurance companies and the pharmaceutical lobby."[http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/viewanswers.asp?questionID=001325] | + | *'''[[Argument: Marijuana is homeopathic alternative to pharmaceutical drugs| Marijuana is homeopathic alternative to pharmaceutical drugs]]''' ''"Libertarian Party Condemns the Supreme Court Decision Against the Use of Medical Marijuana." The Libertarian Party. June 6, 2005:'' "The Libertarian Party is a long-standing advocate for individual liberty and believes that Americans should be responsible for their own actions and, in this case, be able to use alternative forms of medication outside of the realm of insurance companies and the pharmaceutical lobby."[http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/viewanswers.asp?questionID=001325] |
*'''[[Argument: Marijuana is a good alternative medicine to suit individual needs| Marijuana is a good alternative medicine to suit individual needs]]''' The fact that there are alternatives to medical marijuana for many treatments is not necessarily an argument against medical marijuana. It is always important to have many alternatives, largely due to differing personal preferences, beliefs, and physical reactions to different drugs.[http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/viewanswers.asp?questionID=001325] | *'''[[Argument: Marijuana is a good alternative medicine to suit individual needs| Marijuana is a good alternative medicine to suit individual needs]]''' The fact that there are alternatives to medical marijuana for many treatments is not necessarily an argument against medical marijuana. It is always important to have many alternatives, largely due to differing personal preferences, beliefs, and physical reactions to different drugs.[http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/viewanswers.asp?questionID=001325] | ||
- | *'''Marinol is an inadequate alternative to marijuana for certain treatments.''' ''Gregory T. Carter, M.D., Co-director, MDA/ALS Center, University of Washington Medical Center Muscular Dystrophy Association website article. October, 2003.'' - "There are really no other medications that have the same mechanisms of action as marijuana. Dronabinol (Marinol) is available by prescription in capsules, but has the distinct disadvantage of containing only synthetic delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is only one of many therapeutically beneficial cannabinoids in the natural plant." | + | *'''[[Argument: Marinol is an inadequate alternative to marijuana for some treatments| Marinol is an inadequate alternative to marijuana for some treatments]]''' |
Line 159: | Line 160: | ||
:''Bill Frist, M.D. U.S. Senator (R-TN), Correspondence to ProCon.org. October 20, 2003]'' - "Although I understand many believe marijuana is the most effective drug in combating their medical ailments, I would caution against this assumption due to the lack of consistent, repeatable scientific data available to prove marijuana's medical benefits. Based on current evidence, I believe that marijuana is a dangerous drug and that there are less dangerous medicines offering the same relief from pain and other medical symptoms."[http://www.medicalmarijuanaprocon.org/top10.htm] | :''Bill Frist, M.D. U.S. Senator (R-TN), Correspondence to ProCon.org. October 20, 2003]'' - "Although I understand many believe marijuana is the most effective drug in combating their medical ailments, I would caution against this assumption due to the lack of consistent, repeatable scientific data available to prove marijuana's medical benefits. Based on current evidence, I believe that marijuana is a dangerous drug and that there are less dangerous medicines offering the same relief from pain and other medical symptoms."[http://www.medicalmarijuanaprocon.org/top10.htm] | ||
- | *'''Marinol is a good substitute for marijuana in treatments''' ''California Narcotics Officers Association. Official policy statement. "The Use of Marijuana as a Medicine". October 31, 2005'' - "Marinol differs from the crude plant marijuana because it consists of one pure, well-studied, FDA-approved pharmaceutical in stable known dosages. Marijuana is an unstable mixture of over 400 chemicals including many toxic psychoactive chemicals which are largely unstudied and appear in uncontrolled strengths."[http://www.medicalmarijuanaprocon.org/top10.htm] | + | *'''[[Argument: Marinol is a good substitute for marijuana in treatment| Marinol is a good substitute for marijuana treatment]]''' ''California Narcotics Officers Association. Official policy statement. "The Use of Marijuana as a Medicine". October 31, 2005'' - "Marinol differs from the crude plant marijuana because it consists of one pure, well-studied, FDA-approved pharmaceutical in stable known dosages. Marijuana is an unstable mixture of over 400 chemicals including many toxic psychoactive chemicals which are largely unstudied and appear in uncontrolled strengths."[http://www.medicalmarijuanaprocon.org/top10.htm] |
Line 170: | Line 171: | ||
====Pro==== | ====Pro==== | ||
- | *'''Smoked marijuana has advantages over chemical break-downs.''' Jacob Sullum, Senior Editor of Reason magazine. "Saying Yes: In Defense of Drug Use." 2003 book: "It's beyond serious dispute that marijuana, which has been used therapeutically for thousands of years, helps relieve nausea and restore appetite. Marinol, a capsule containing THC, is approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a treatment for AIDS wasting syndrome and the side effects of cancer chemotherapy. But smoked marijuana has several advantages over Marinol..." | + | *'''[[Argument: Smoked marijuana has advantages over chemical break-downs| Smoked marijuana has advantages over chemical break-downs]]''' Jacob Sullum, Senior Editor of Reason magazine. "Saying Yes: In Defense of Drug Use." 2003 book: "It's beyond serious dispute that marijuana, which has been used therapeutically for thousands of years, helps relieve nausea and restore appetite. Marinol, a capsule containing THC, is approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a treatment for AIDS wasting syndrome and the side effects of cancer chemotherapy. But smoked marijuana has several advantages over Marinol..." |
|width="45%" bgcolor="#F2FAFB" style="border:1px solid #BAC5FD;padding:.4em;padding-top:0.5em;"| | |width="45%" bgcolor="#F2FAFB" style="border:1px solid #BAC5FD;padding:.4em;padding-top:0.5em;"| | ||
Line 192: | Line 193: | ||
====No==== | ====No==== | ||
- | *'''Marijuana damages the immune system; risky for HIV/AIDS sufferers.''' ''U.S. Institute of Medicine Report. Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base. March, 1999'' - "The most compelling concerns regarding marijuana smoking in HIV/AIDS patients are the possible effects of marijuana on immunity. Reports of opportunistic fungal and bacterial pneumonia in AIDS patients who used marijuana suggest that marijuana smoking either suppresses the immune system or exposes patients to an added burden of pathogens. In summary, patients with preexisting immune deficits due to AIDS should be expected to be vulnerable to serious harm caused by smoking marijuana." | + | *'''[[Argument: Marijuana damages the immune system; risky for HIV/AIDS sufferers| Marijuana damages the immune system; risky for HIV/AIDS sufferers]]''' ''U.S. Institute of Medicine Report. Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base. March, 1999'' - "The most compelling concerns regarding marijuana smoking in HIV/AIDS patients are the possible effects of marijuana on immunity. Reports of opportunistic fungal and bacterial pneumonia in AIDS patients who used marijuana suggest that marijuana smoking either suppresses the immune system or exposes patients to an added burden of pathogens. In summary, patients with preexisting immune deficits due to AIDS should be expected to be vulnerable to serious harm caused by smoking marijuana." |
Line 232: | Line 233: | ||
*'''Marijuana helps the terminally ill cope with their ebbing life.''' Because smoked marijuana can give rapid relief from great suffering to some patients, quickly improving such patients' comfort and mental outlook, the terminally ill can still maintain their human dignity and suffer less. | *'''Marijuana helps the terminally ill cope with their ebbing life.''' Because smoked marijuana can give rapid relief from great suffering to some patients, quickly improving such patients' comfort and mental outlook, the terminally ill can still maintain their human dignity and suffer less. | ||
- | *'''The benefits of marijuana for the terminally ill outweigh risks.''' ''Consumer Reports. Editorial. May, 1997'' - "Consumer Reports believes that, for patients with advanced AIDS and terminal cancer, the apparent benefits some derive from smoking marijuana outweigh any substantiated or even suspected risks. In the same spirit the FDA uses to hasten the approval of cancer drugs, federal laws should be relaxed in favor of states' rights to allow physicians to administer marijuana to their patients on a caring and compassionate basis."[http://www.medicalmarijuanaprocon.org/top10.htm] | + | *'''[[Argument: The benefits of marijuana for the terminally ill outweigh risks| The benefits of marijuana for the terminally ill outweigh risks]]''' ''Consumer Reports. Editorial. May, 1997:'' "Consumer Reports believes that, for patients with advanced AIDS and terminal cancer, the apparent benefits some derive from smoking marijuana outweigh any substantiated or even suspected risks. In the same spirit the FDA uses to hasten the approval of cancer drugs, federal laws should be relaxed in favor of states' rights to allow physicians to administer marijuana to their patients on a caring and compassionate basis."[http://www.medicalmarijuanaprocon.org/top10.htm] |
Line 256: | Line 257: | ||
*'''Marijuana might have some toxicity, but so do other drugs.''' Almost all drugs are chemicals that have some side-effects. Marijuana, therefore should not be alienated for this reason. | *'''Marijuana might have some toxicity, but so do other drugs.''' Almost all drugs are chemicals that have some side-effects. Marijuana, therefore should not be alienated for this reason. | ||
- | *'''The health risks of smoking marijuana are relatively minor.''' ''Lester Grinspoon, M.D., Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School. "Puffing Is the Best Medicine," Los Angeles Times. May 5, 2006.'' - "[T]here is very little evidence that smoking marijuana as a means of taking it represents a significant health risk. Although cannabis has been smoked widely in Western countries for more than four decades, there have been no reported cases of lung cancer or emphysema attributed to marijuana. I suspect that a day's breathing in any city with poor air quality poses more of a threat than inhaling a day's dose -- which for many ailments is just a portion of a joint -- of marijuana."[http://www.medicalmarijuanaprocon.org/top10.htm] | + | *'''[[Argument: The health risks of smoking marijuana are relatively minor| The health risks of smoking marijuana are relatively minor]]''' ''Lester Grinspoon, M.D., Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School. "Puffing Is the Best Medicine," Los Angeles Times. May 5, 2006.'' - "[T]here is very little evidence that smoking marijuana as a means of taking it represents a significant health risk. Although cannabis has been smoked widely in Western countries for more than four decades, there have been no reported cases of lung cancer or emphysema attributed to marijuana. I suspect that a day's breathing in any city with poor air quality poses more of a threat than inhaling a day's dose -- which for many ailments is just a portion of a joint -- of marijuana."[http://www.medicalmarijuanaprocon.org/top10.htm] |
*'''Marijuana is only unhealthy or risky when abused.''' The problem with illegalizing marijuana is that it lumps the most moderate of uses of marijuana in with the worst of abuses. Just like with alcohol, there are scales of use that fall within responsible to irresponsible to abusive categories. The responsible use of marijuana might involve the recreational use of the drug a couple of times a year and in very small doses, such as, a single toke. Does it make sense for such innocuous levels of consumption to be illegal? No. And, yet, in states where marijuana is illegal, such levels of consumption are illegal. Instead of this system, marijuana should be legally regulated like alcohol on the basis of abuse in circumstances where it has the potential to threaten other citizens, such as before driving or operating machinery. | *'''Marijuana is only unhealthy or risky when abused.''' The problem with illegalizing marijuana is that it lumps the most moderate of uses of marijuana in with the worst of abuses. Just like with alcohol, there are scales of use that fall within responsible to irresponsible to abusive categories. The responsible use of marijuana might involve the recreational use of the drug a couple of times a year and in very small doses, such as, a single toke. Does it make sense for such innocuous levels of consumption to be illegal? No. And, yet, in states where marijuana is illegal, such levels of consumption are illegal. Instead of this system, marijuana should be legally regulated like alcohol on the basis of abuse in circumstances where it has the potential to threaten other citizens, such as before driving or operating machinery. | ||
Line 301: | Line 302: | ||
*'''[[Argument: Marijuana is not addictive| Marijuana is not addictive]]''' There is no evidence that marijuana physically addictive. While it may be psychologically addictive, in the sense that people like it and want to do it again, this is little different than alcohol. But, certainly, cigarettes are more addictive than marijuana. And, since cigarettes are physically addictive and yet legal, should addictiveness really be a barometer for a substance's illegality? No. ''Colin Blakemore, Ph.D. Chair, Dept. of Physiology, University of Oxford (U.K.), and Leslie Iversen, Ph.D., Professor of Pharmacology, Oxford University. Editorial, The Times (U.K.). August 6, 2001'' - "For some users, perhaps as many as 10 per cent, cannabis leads to psychological dependence, but there is scant evidence that it carries a risk of true addiction. Unlike cigarette smokers, most users do not take the drug on a daily basis, and usually abandon it in their twenties or thirties. Unlike for nicotine, alcohol and hard drugs, there is no clearly defined withdrawal syndrome, the hallmark of true addiction, when use is stopped." | *'''[[Argument: Marijuana is not addictive| Marijuana is not addictive]]''' There is no evidence that marijuana physically addictive. While it may be psychologically addictive, in the sense that people like it and want to do it again, this is little different than alcohol. But, certainly, cigarettes are more addictive than marijuana. And, since cigarettes are physically addictive and yet legal, should addictiveness really be a barometer for a substance's illegality? No. ''Colin Blakemore, Ph.D. Chair, Dept. of Physiology, University of Oxford (U.K.), and Leslie Iversen, Ph.D., Professor of Pharmacology, Oxford University. Editorial, The Times (U.K.). August 6, 2001'' - "For some users, perhaps as many as 10 per cent, cannabis leads to psychological dependence, but there is scant evidence that it carries a risk of true addiction. Unlike cigarette smokers, most users do not take the drug on a daily basis, and usually abandon it in their twenties or thirties. Unlike for nicotine, alcohol and hard drugs, there is no clearly defined withdrawal syndrome, the hallmark of true addiction, when use is stopped." | ||
- | *'''Due to its relatively low addiction rates, marijuana is good for medical use.''' Marijuana is the best drug to be put into medical use since it was ranked lowest for withdrawal symptoms, tolerance and dependence (addiction) potential. It ranked close to caffeine in the degree of reinforcement and higher than caffeine and nicotine only in the degree of intoxication. | + | *'''Due to low addiction rates, marijuana is good for medical use.''' Marijuana is the best drug to be put into medical use since it was ranked lowest for withdrawal symptoms, tolerance and dependence (addiction) potential. It ranked close to caffeine in the degree of reinforcement and higher than caffeine and nicotine only in the degree of intoxication. |
Line 322: | Line 323: | ||
*'''Individuals have right to pursue what they believe are best treatments.''' Individuals have a right to pursue treatments that they believe are in their best interest, and which do not come into conflict with the rights of other patients. Medical marijuana qualifies as a such a treatment, which many believe is best for their ailments, and so should be allowed to pursue. | *'''Individuals have right to pursue what they believe are best treatments.''' Individuals have a right to pursue treatments that they believe are in their best interest, and which do not come into conflict with the rights of other patients. Medical marijuana qualifies as a such a treatment, which many believe is best for their ailments, and so should be allowed to pursue. | ||
- | *'''[[Argument: State should not override doctor-patient decisions on marijuana| State should not override doctor-patient decisions on marijuana]]''' Dennis Kucinich, US Representative (D-OH) and 2008 Democratic Candidate for US President, stated the following in an Aug. 9, 2007 Democratic presidential forum aired on Viacom's Logo cable network: "It's a matter between doctors and patients, and if doctors want to prescribe medical marijuana to relieve pain, compassion requires that the government support that."[http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/viewanswers.asp?questionID=001325] | + | *'''[[Argument: State should not override physician judgement on marijuana| State should not override doctor-patient decisions on marijuana]]''' Dennis Kucinich, US Representative (D-OH) and 2008 Democratic Candidate for US President, stated the following in an Aug. 9, 2007 Democratic presidential forum aired on Viacom's Logo cable network: "It's a matter between doctors and patients, and if doctors want to prescribe medical marijuana to relieve pain, compassion requires that the government support that."[http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/viewanswers.asp?questionID=001325] |
*'''[[Argument: People should be free to use marijuana as long as it harms no one else| People should be free to use marijuana as long as it harms no one else]]''' People should be at liberty to treat their bodies how they want to. Indeed, people are allowed to eat and drink to their detriment and even death, so why shouldn't they be able to harm themselves with marijuana use? This is, of course, assuming that their use does not harm anyone else. This means, as with substances such as alcohol or cigarrettes, that regulations be put in place to ensure that one individual's consumption of marijuana does not violate the liberties of another citizen. If this is achievable with alcohol and cigarettes, it seems achievable with marijuana. | *'''[[Argument: People should be free to use marijuana as long as it harms no one else| People should be free to use marijuana as long as it harms no one else]]''' People should be at liberty to treat their bodies how they want to. Indeed, people are allowed to eat and drink to their detriment and even death, so why shouldn't they be able to harm themselves with marijuana use? This is, of course, assuming that their use does not harm anyone else. This means, as with substances such as alcohol or cigarrettes, that regulations be put in place to ensure that one individual's consumption of marijuana does not violate the liberties of another citizen. If this is achievable with alcohol and cigarettes, it seems achievable with marijuana. | ||
Line 357: | Line 358: | ||
*'''[[Argument: Legalizing medical marijuana is not legalizing recreational use| Legalizing medical marijuana is not legalizing recreational use]]''' Bernard Rimland, PhD, Founder of the Autism Society of America (ASA). "Medical Marijuana: a Valuable Treatment for Autism?" Autism Research Review International. 2003: "It is important to keep in mind the distinction between legalizing marijuana for medical uses, which has been done in some states, and 'recreational' drug use which is illegal throughout the U.S. | *'''[[Argument: Legalizing medical marijuana is not legalizing recreational use| Legalizing medical marijuana is not legalizing recreational use]]''' Bernard Rimland, PhD, Founder of the Autism Society of America (ASA). "Medical Marijuana: a Valuable Treatment for Autism?" Autism Research Review International. 2003: "It is important to keep in mind the distinction between legalizing marijuana for medical uses, which has been done in some states, and 'recreational' drug use which is illegal throughout the U.S. | ||
- | *'''Medical marijuana is usually not seriously abused.''' Philip Denney, MD, co-founder of a medical cannabis evaluation practice, stated the following in his Nov. 17, 2005 testimony to the Arkansas legislature in support of House Bill 1303, "An Act to Permit the Medical Use of Marijuana": "We have seen very minimal problems with abuse or dependence, which at worst are equivalent to dependence on caffeine."[http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/viewanswers.asp?questionID=001325] | + | *'''[[Argument: Medical marijuana is usually not seriously abused| Medical marijuana is usually not seriously abused]]''' Philip Denney, MD, co-founder of a medical cannabis evaluation practice, stated the following in his Nov. 17, 2005 testimony to the Arkansas legislature in support of House Bill 1303, "An Act to Permit the Medical Use of Marijuana": "We have seen very minimal problems with abuse or dependence, which at worst are equivalent to dependence on caffeine."[http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/viewanswers.asp?questionID=001325] |
*'''Potential for abuse should not halt legitimate marijuana use.''' Philip Denney, MD, co-founder of a medical cannabis evaluation practice, stated the following in his Nov. 17, 2005 testimony to the Arkansas legislature in support of House Bill 1303, "An Act to Permit the Medical Use of Marijuana": "While a substance may have some potential for misuse, in my opinion, that's a poor excuse to deny its use and benefit to everyone else."[http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/viewanswers.asp?questionID=001325] | *'''Potential for abuse should not halt legitimate marijuana use.''' Philip Denney, MD, co-founder of a medical cannabis evaluation practice, stated the following in his Nov. 17, 2005 testimony to the Arkansas legislature in support of House Bill 1303, "An Act to Permit the Medical Use of Marijuana": "While a substance may have some potential for misuse, in my opinion, that's a poor excuse to deny its use and benefit to everyone else."[http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/viewanswers.asp?questionID=001325] | ||
- | *'''Doctors should be trusted to check abuse of medical marijuana.''' Robert DeLorenzo, MD, PhD, MPH, Professor of Neurology in the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. University press release: "Marijuana and Its Receptor Protein in Brain Control Epilepsy." Sep. 30, 2003: "Individuals both here and abroad report that marijuana has been therapeutic for them in the treatment of a variety of ailments, including epilepsy. But the psychoactive side effects of marijuana make its use impractical in the treatment of epilepsy. If we can understand how marijuana works to end seizures, we may be able to develop novel drugs that might do a better job of treating epileptic seizures."[http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/viewanswers.asp?questionID=001325] | + | *'''[[Argument: Doctors should be trusted to check abuse of medical marijuana| Doctors should be trusted to check abuse of medical marijuana]]''' Robert DeLorenzo, MD, PhD, MPH, Professor of Neurology in the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. University press release: "Marijuana and Its Receptor Protein in Brain Control Epilepsy." Sep. 30, 2003: "Individuals both here and abroad report that marijuana has been therapeutic for them in the treatment of a variety of ailments, including epilepsy. But the psychoactive side effects of marijuana make its use impractical in the treatment of epilepsy. If we can understand how marijuana works to end seizures, we may be able to develop novel drugs that might do a better job of treating epileptic seizures."[http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/viewanswers.asp?questionID=001325] |
*'''[[Argument: There is little evidence that Marijuana is a gateway drug| There is little evidence that Marijuana is a gateway drug]]''' If marijuana was a gateway drug, you would expect to see high numbers of marijuana consumers also being, for instance, cocaine users. But, this correlation does not really exist. In America, for every roughly one hundred marijuana user, there is only one cocaine user. | *'''[[Argument: There is little evidence that Marijuana is a gateway drug| There is little evidence that Marijuana is a gateway drug]]''' If marijuana was a gateway drug, you would expect to see high numbers of marijuana consumers also being, for instance, cocaine users. But, this correlation does not really exist. In America, for every roughly one hundred marijuana user, there is only one cocaine user. | ||
- | *'''Legalizing medical marijuana does not increase use and abuse.''' ''Mitch Earleywine, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology, State University of New York at Albany Karen O’Keefe, Esq. Attorney & Legislative Analyst. Marijuana Policy Project Report. "Marijuana Use by Young People: The Impact of State Medical Marijuana Laws". September, 2005.'' - "While it is not possible with existing data to determine conclusively that state medical marijuana laws caused the documented declines in adolescent marijuana use, the overwhelming downward trend strongly suggests that the effect of state medical marijuana laws on teen marijuana use has been either neutral or positive, discouraging youthful experimentation with the drug."[http://www.medicalmarijuanaprocon.org/top10.htm] | + | *'''[[Argument: Legalizing medical marijuana does not increase use and abuse| Legalizing medical marijuana does not increase use and abuse]]''' ''Mitch Earleywine, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology, State University of New York at Albany Karen O’Keefe, Esq. Attorney & Legislative Analyst. Marijuana Policy Project Report. "Marijuana Use by Young People: The Impact of State Medical Marijuana Laws". September, 2005.'' - "While it is not possible with existing data to determine conclusively that state medical marijuana laws caused the documented declines in adolescent marijuana use, the overwhelming downward trend strongly suggests that the effect of state medical marijuana laws on teen marijuana use has been either neutral or positive, discouraging youthful experimentation with the drug."[http://www.medicalmarijuanaprocon.org/top10.htm] |
Line 376: | Line 377: | ||
*'''[[Argument: Marijuana is a gateway drug| Marijuana is a gateway drug]]''' ''U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). SAMHSA press release on their report. "Initiation of Marijuana Use: Trends, Patterns and Implications". August 28, 2002.'' - "A new federal report released today concludes the younger children are when they first use marijuana, the more likely they are to use cocaine and heroin and become dependent on drugs as adults.[...] Increases in the likelihood of cocaine and heroin use and drug dependence are also apparent for those who initiate use of marijuana at any later age". | *'''[[Argument: Marijuana is a gateway drug| Marijuana is a gateway drug]]''' ''U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). SAMHSA press release on their report. "Initiation of Marijuana Use: Trends, Patterns and Implications". August 28, 2002.'' - "A new federal report released today concludes the younger children are when they first use marijuana, the more likely they are to use cocaine and heroin and become dependent on drugs as adults.[...] Increases in the likelihood of cocaine and heroin use and drug dependence are also apparent for those who initiate use of marijuana at any later age". | ||
- | *'''Medical marijuana can act as a gateway drug to harder ones.''' Peter Provet, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer at the Odyssey House, Letter to the editor of the New York Times. Apr. 26, 2006: "As a treatment provider, I support the Food and Drug Administration's dismissal of medical benefit from marijuana. Regardless of the heated political debate that swirls around this issue, the fact remains that despite the Institute of Medicine's claim to the contrary, for people vulnerable to addictive disease, marijuana is a gateway drug that leads to the use of more dangerous drugs like cocaine and heroin. Not everyone who smokes marijuana will necessarily become an addict. But why open the gate to increased use for the sake of unproven medical benefits when we already know the harm that marijuana inflicts on millions of Americans."[http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/viewanswers.asp?questionID=001325] | + | *'''[[Argument: Medical marijuana can act as a gateway drug to harder ones| Medical marijuana can act as a gateway drug to harder ones]]''' Peter Provet, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer at the Odyssey House, Letter to the editor of the New York Times. Apr. 26, 2006: "As a treatment provider, I support the Food and Drug Administration's dismissal of medical benefit from marijuana. Regardless of the heated political debate that swirls around this issue, the fact remains that despite the Institute of Medicine's claim to the contrary, for people vulnerable to addictive disease, marijuana is a gateway drug that leads to the use of more dangerous drugs like cocaine and heroin. Not everyone who smokes marijuana will necessarily become an addict. But why open the gate to increased use for the sake of unproven medical benefits when we already know the harm that marijuana inflicts on millions of Americans."[http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/viewanswers.asp?questionID=001325] |
- | *'''Legalizing medical marijuana may cause crime and safety problems.''' Jerry Dyer, MS, Fresno Chief of Police and President of the California Police Chief's Association. Apr. 16, 2008 letter to Deputy Director of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police: "Based on the almost 12 years of medical marijuana experience in the state of California it is our observation that it has been destructive to lives and communities. Passage of any form of medical marijuana anywhere in our nation is bad public policy and will cause crime and public safety problems."[http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/viewanswers.asp?questionID=001325] | + | *'''[[Argument: Legalizing medical marijuana may cause crime and safety problems| Legalizing medical marijuana may cause crime and safety problems]]''' Jerry Dyer, MS, Fresno Chief of Police and President of the California Police Chief's Association. Apr. 16, 2008 letter to Deputy Director of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police: "Based on the almost 12 years of medical marijuana experience in the state of California it is our observation that it has been destructive to lives and communities. Passage of any form of medical marijuana anywhere in our nation is bad public policy and will cause crime and public safety problems."[http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/viewanswers.asp?questionID=001325] |
- | *'''Legalizing medical marijuana normalizes drug, increases use.''' ''Andrea Barthwell, M.D. Former Deputy Director, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Chicago Tribune editorial. February 17, 2004.'' - "By characterizing the use of illegal drugs as quasi-legal, state-sanctioned, Saturday afternoon fun, legalizers destabilize the societal norm that drug use is dangerous. They undercut the goals of stopping the initiation of drug use to prevent addiction.... Children entering drug abuse treatment routinely report that they heard that 'pot is medicine' and, therefore, believed it to be good for them." | + | *'''[[Argument: Legalizing medical marijuana normalizes drug, increases use| Legalizing medical marijuana normalizes drug, increases use]]''' ''Andrea Barthwell, M.D. Former Deputy Director, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Chicago Tribune editorial. February 17, 2004.'' - "By characterizing the use of illegal drugs as quasi-legal, state-sanctioned, Saturday afternoon fun, legalizers destabilize the societal norm that drug use is dangerous. They undercut the goals of stopping the initiation of drug use to prevent addiction.... Children entering drug abuse treatment routinely report that they heard that 'pot is medicine' and, therefore, believed it to be good for them." |
Line 401: | Line 402: | ||
====No==== | ====No==== | ||
- | *'''Medical marijuana should not be allowed just to grow state revenues.''' [http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_13782002 Alberto Torrico. "Opinion: Medical marijuana needs closer regulation." Mercury News. November 15th, 2009]: "a decision to legalize a powerful drug in order to balance our budget would be a critical mistake and would jeopardize public safety. Even in the midst of this fiscal crisis, we need to focus on providing safe medicine, not just grasping for any available revenue source." | + | *'''[[Argument: Medical marijuana should not be allowed just to grow state revenues| Medical marijuana should not be allowed just to grow state revenue]]''' [http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_13782002 Alberto Torrico. "Opinion: Medical marijuana needs closer regulation." Mercury News. November 15th, 2009]: "a decision to legalize a powerful drug in order to balance our budget would be a critical mistake and would jeopardize public safety. Even in the midst of this fiscal crisis, we need to focus on providing safe medicine, not just grasping for any available revenue source." |
|- | |- |
Current revision
[Edit] Are medical marijuana dispensaries a good idea? |
[Edit] Background and contextMedical marijuana dispensaries have been popping up in different places across the United States and in other countries as well. They are designed to supply individuals with medical needs for marijuana, so they are deeply connected with the medical marijuana debate. While connected to this larger debate, dispensaries have their own set of pros and cons to consider. Some of these include whether medical marijuana dispensaries will have negative effects on the communities where they are located. Will crime increase in these areas? Can dispensaries be properly regulated to ensure against fraud, faked prescriptions, or just shady prescriptions for individuals with insignificant or debatably-significant illnesses? Are whole dispensaries required, or should marijuana only be carried in traditional pharmacies? Are they economically beneficial, or can they harm businesses in surrounding communities? These and other questions are addressed below. |
[Edit] [ ![]() Industry: Should the medical marijuana industry be encouraged? | |
[Edit] Pro
|
[Edit] Con
|
[Edit] [ ![]() Crime: Is crime outside of dispensaries manageable? | |
[Edit] Pro
|
[Edit] Con |
[Edit] [ ![]() Economics: Are these dispensaries economical? | |
[Edit] Pro
|
[Edit] Con
|
[Edit] [ ![]() Treatment: Is marijuana valuable in treating illnesses? | |
[Edit] Yes
|
[Edit] No
|
[Edit] [ ![]() Physician judgement: Should doctors be allowed to judge use of marijuana case-by-case? | |
[Edit] Pro
|
[Edit] Con
|
[Edit] [ ![]() Vs alternatives: Is marijuana a good alternative to other medications? | |
[Edit] Pro
|
[Edit] Con
|
[Edit] [ ![]() Smoked marijuana: Is smoking marijuana necessary to obtain "benefits"? | |
[Edit] Pro
|
[Edit] Con
|
[Edit] [ ![]() HIV/AIDS: Is marijuana good for treating HIV/AIDS? | |
[Edit] Yes
|
[Edit] No
|
[Edit] [ ![]() Psychological disorders: Can marijuana help treat marijuana? | |
[Edit] Yes
|
[Edit] No
|
[Edit] [ ![]() Treating the terminally ill: Can marijuana use help the terminally ill cope with their illness? | |
[Edit] Yes
|
[Edit] No
|
[Edit] [ ![]() Health: Is marijuana harmless enough to be considered a medicine? | |
[Edit] Yes
|
[Edit] No
|
[Edit] [ ![]() Addictiveness: Is marijuana non-addictive? Does this matter? | |
[Edit] Yes
|
[Edit] No
|
[Edit] [ ![]() Individual liberty: Should individuals be at liberty to use marijuana? | |
[Edit] Yes
|
[Edit] No
|
[Edit] [ ![]() Abuse: Is medical marijuana likely to result in abuse and further drug-use? | |
[Edit] Yes
|
[Edit] No
|
[Edit] [ ![]() Economics: Is legalizing medical marijuana economically wise? | |
[Edit] Yes
|
[Edit] No
|
[Edit] [ ![]() Pro/con resources | |
[Edit] Yes
|
[Edit] No
|
[Edit] See also
[Edit] External links
[Edit] Books
|
Categories: Debatabase | Politics | Law | Health | Science | Bioethics | Medicine | Morality | Public safety | Public health | Individual rights | Canada | United States | Europe | Marijuana | Drugs | US politics | International | Privacy