Lately Marijuana (Cannabis) has been a hot topic in the news, as it has been heatedly debated on whether or not it should be legalized. Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize its recreational use in 2012. With the legalization of Marijuana in these states many people have looked at the pros and cons to its use. In recent studies Marijuana has been shown to have potential anti-cancer affects, increase insulin sensitivity, and help control the storage of lipids. The active ingredient in Marijuana called delta nine-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is what gives the psychoactive side affects of the drug. So much research is being done in synthesizing a compound similar to THC. This drug would thus allow utilization of the THC pathway, without its psychoactive affects, to help combat diabetes, cancer, and obesity.
However, not much is known about how exactly these drugs work in the body. There have been many possible biological pathways that have been sketched out, but research has been limited thus far. This uncertainty is what many times separate those who side with the pros of the drug and those who side with the cons. The question becomes then, is the drug worth the relief that its users feel without knowing how it exactly works? In fact, many of the medications that are used today have biological pathways and functions that are not well understood by physicians and scientists. There are also drugs that are medically used as pain relievers that are derivatives of much more controversial drugs. For instance, the very common pain killer morphine is a derivative of the drug heroine. However, most people do not complain of its use.
Thus in the case of knowledge and medicine, is venturing into the unknown worth it? At what point does one decide that the side affects of a drug are worth the relief of some symptoms? For cancer patients, marijuana offers some pain relief, increased appetite, and helps to prevent nausea. For people who become terminally ill, is it not acceptable for them to have some relief in their last days? For these people the drug becomes beneficial. However, some people would argue that its ambiguity should cause many to think twice before using.
There is still so much to learn about marijuana and how it may affect our bodies. With states legalizing the recreational use of the drug it opens up the possibility for clinical trials and more ways to study the drug and its affects. Although, Marijuana has shown some possible anti-cancer and other health benefits, there is no way of knowing yet how it could possibly play a role in preventative treatment and its side affects should not be overlooked. However, with all science it is worth noting that only research into the drug’s functions and pathways will reveal its destruction as well as its potential.
https://moodle.cord.edu/pluginfile.php/390911/mod_resource/content/0/endocannabinoids.pdf
Venturing into the Unknown Marijuana and You
