Introduction
In the United States, the use of marijuana has been subjected to severe critics from the government and social organizations for a long time (Lee 12). Today, the use of marijuana is prohibited by U. S. law on the federal level (Crenshaw and Guyot 7). However, many efforts were made to change the illegal status of marijuana, which is explained by the fact that numerous citizens find the substance beneficial for a variety of reasons. In the following paper, the facts will be observed that show the rationale behind legalizing medical marijuana, especially for epileptic patients. Overall, there is a growing body of evidence that the use of medical marijuana should be legalized since it helps epileptic patients to decrease the number of seizures.
Main body
In the present day, healthcare professionals demonstrate a more optimistic point of view on the use of medical marijuana for epileptic patients based on the growing number of cases in which the use of marijuana-based medicines laid to the significant relief of symptoms (Sirven and Shafer para.7). According to Wade, recent “studies showed a marked improvement in about 70 percent of young patients who suffered multiple seizures, and for about 10 percent their seizures stopped altogether” (para. 7). In their article toward effectiveness of marijuana-based agents in the epileptic patient’s treatment, Sirven and Shafer expressed similar optimism stating that results from 213 people on Epidiolex in an open study showed that “seizures decreased by an average of 54% in 137 people” and “in 27 patients with atonic seizures, the atonic seizures decreased by 66.7% on average” (para. 11, 12).
There are multiple cases of patients with epilepsy proving the efficacy of marijuana-based agents in the treatment of the disease symptoms. One of the most remarkable examples is Charlotte Figi’s one. In her case, her mother had tried everything possible before she decided to choose an option of medical marijuana (Walters para. 1). However, significant ease of the disease symptoms came only after the mother resolved to use marijuana extract. From the case information, the fact that the outcomes of using marijuana for medical purposes are only positive is seen.
Charlotte Figi’s case appeared so successful that the extract of medical marijuana that was used to treat her received her name ‘Charlotte’s Web’. This medicine “contains high levels of cannabidiol oil, CBD, one of many marijuana compounds, but low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the psychoactive ingredient that gets users high when smoked” (Walters para. 1). In Colorado, the state where the use of Charlotte’s Web’ is officially legalized, over 200 little patients are currently on medication with this agent. Numerous families from all over the United States had to make arrangements to move to this state to be able to help their epileptic children without breaking the law (Jackman para. 5).
Another remarkable case of a patient with epilepsy who responds favorably to marijuana-based treatment is the case of Madeline Lightle. The girl began to have severe seizures at six, at that each new medication, as well as diets, were ineffective. Madeline even had seizures during eighty percent of her sleep. To make the situation worse, she began to experience eyesight problems due to the side effects of medication. When doctors began to suggest her mother a hemispherectomy or removal of a big part of her brain, she decided to move to Colorado and try the option of medical marijuana-based medicines. The patient’s mother describes the impressive result they achieved with the following words, “we were able to wean her off all pharmaceuticals by the end of December. She’s had three seizures in the past 13 weeks” (Jackman para. 17).
Analyzing the cases similar to the above-described ones, the health care providers decided to readdress their position towards the legalization of medical marijuana. As quoted in Jackman’s article, Epilepsy Foundation leaders Gattone and Lammert have stated, “If an epilepsy patient and their doctor feel that marijuana is the best treatment option then they need to have safe, legal access to medical marijuana” (para. 19). Activists and concerned people from all over the United States support this position by joining the actions aiming to legalize the use of medical marijuana (Stoned 68). With regards to the fact that epilepsy is the fourth most spread neurological disease in the United States, authorities should readdress their position toward the legal status of medical marijuana (Stoned 68).
Conclusion
In conclusion, although marijuana legalization opponents have very strong counterarguments in their reserve, a more careful examination of the real situation shows that the federal sanctioning of the use of medical marijuana will help many patients including epileptic patients to improve their condition. Thus, it is high time to take into attention the real cases and evidence derived from them proving the effectiveness of medical marijuana and put these findings into a new law allowing the patients who need this agent for improving their condition and normalizing their life to use it.
Works Cited
Crenshaw, Wes, and Katie Guyot. “Double Take: Pros and Cons of Legalizing Marijuana.” Daily Journal-World (2012): 7-12. Print.
Jackman, Tom. “Colorado’s medical marijuana attracts families with epileptic kids.” Washington Post. 2014.
Lee, Martin. Smoke Signals: A Social History of Marijuana – Medical, Recreational and Scientific. New York: Scribner, 2012. Print.
Sirven, Joseph, and Patricia Shafer. “Medical Marijuana and Epilepsy.” 2015.
Stoned, Michael. Weed: 420 Things You Didn’t Know (or Remember) about Cannabis. Avon: Adams Media, 2009. Print.
Wade, Mike. “‘Medical Marijuana’ Trial for Epileptics.” The Times: 2014.
Walters, Mark. “Medical Marijuana: Treatment, Oil could Reduce Kids’ Epileptic Seizures, but it Remains Illegal in PA.” York Daily Record: 2014. Web.