Introduction to the Debate
Nowadays, the issue of marijuana legalization is highly debated, with some people supporting such legislation and others believing that it will do more damage than good. Much research has been done on the possible advantages of marijuana, especially in the context of cancer-related symptoms.
Benefits of Marijuana in Cancer Patients
For example, the first benefit of cannabis is its potential for pain relief. It has been noted that marijuana helps individuals receiving chemotherapy feel better and reduces pain associated with cancer (Abrams, 2022). Second, cannabis can help with appetite stimulation significantly. Thus far, most of the effects of medical cannabis, and more especially tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), have been observed in non-cancer contexts, increasing appetite in both humans and experimental animals (Kleckner et al., 2019). Finally, cannabis may help with intestinal inflammation symptoms and reduce nausea and vomiting brought on by chemotherapy (Simonian et al., 2020). In this case, there is evidence that cannabis is beneficial when treating symptoms of the condition.
Dangers of Marijuana
However, aside from advantages, there can additionally be seen drawbacks. For instance, setting uniform dosage recommendations might be difficult due to the variation in the intensity and cannabinoid makeup of marijuana products (Jugl et al., 2021). Moreover, there can be potential side effects of using cannabis. According to Turner and Agrawal (2022), there may be a link between marijuana inhalation and spontaneous pneumothorax in addition to an elevated risk of lung cancer. Complications, including increased breathing, coughing, and phlegm production, have also been related to it (Turner & Agrawal, 2022). In this case, further research must be done to explore the effects of cannabis on cancer-related symptoms.
Pros of Marijuana in Epilepsy Patients
Another condition that can be reviewed is epilepsy, where marijuana can be applied as well. The first benefit of the medication is a reduction in seizures. Because of its potential medical uses, CBD, a terpenophenol, has attracted a lot of scientific attention (Silvestro et al., 2019). Silvestro and colleagues (2019) findings demonstrate that adding CBD to traditional antiepileptic treatment lowers seizure frequency in a dose-dependent way.
Another benefit of cannabis for this condition is that it is an alternative for treatment-resistant cases. People who suffer from difficulties, including irritability, aggressive conduct, and/or insomnia, find it challenging to accept several standard antiepileptic medicines (Kvamme et al., 2021). On the other hand, cannabis with added cannabidiol causes fewer of these issues.
Drawbacks of Marijuana in Epilepsy Patients
Nevertheless, there are specific doubts and shortcomings of using cannabis in epilepsy. First, not every epileptic patient responds well to cannabis-based therapies. Silva and colleagues (2020) do not advise using cannabis or other THC-rich substances due to their potential for psychotropic effects and unclear impact on seizure control. They run the danger of addiction, melancholy, psychosis, and suicidal thoughts (Silva et al., 2020).
Moreover, the use of marijuana can interact with other antiepileptic drugs, possibly resulting in unanticipated side effects (Balachandran et al., 2021). CBD interacts with a number of antiepileptic drugs, such as stiripentol, clobazam, and valproate (Balachandran et al., 2021). Thus, it is crucial to understand that such a medication might come with specific side effects, regardless of the condition a person is struggling with.
Personal Opinion
My personal belief is that researched benefits can justify the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes. People who experience chronic pains and cannot take certain medications or do not experience any alleviation with any therapies must have access to alternatives. Meanwhile, the Biblical perspective differs significantly from mine and focuses on stewardship of the body. As said in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” (New International Version, n.d.). Thus, Christians are urged to put their mental and physical health first and to make decisions that support wholeness and health.
References
Abrams, D. I. (2022). Cannabis, cannabinoids and cannabis-based medicines in cancer care. Integrative Cancer Therapies, 21, 1-11. Web.
Balachandran, P., Elsohly, M., & Hill, K. P. (2021). Cannabidiol interactions with medications, illicit substances, and alcohol: A comprehensive review. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 36, 2074-2084. Web.
Silva, G. D., Del Guerra, F. B., de Oliveira Lelis, M., & Pinto, L. F. (2020). Cannabidiol in the treatment of epilepsy: a focused review of evidence and gaps. Frontiers in Neurology, 11, 1-6. Web.
Jugl, S., Sajdeya, R., Morris, E. J., Goodin, A. J., & Brown, J. D. (2021). Much ado about dosing: The needs and challenges of defining a standardized cannabis unit. Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids, 4(2), 121–124. Web.
Kleckner, A. S., Kleckner, I. R., Kamen, C. S., Tejani, M. A., Janelsins, M. C., Morrow, G. R., & Peppone, L. J. (2019). Opportunities for cannabis in supportive care in cancer. Therapeutic Advances in Medical Oncology, 11, 1-29. Web.
Kvamme, S. L., Pedersen, M. M., Rømer Thomsen, K., & Thylstrup, B. (2021). Exploring the use of cannabis as a substitute for prescription drugs in a convenience sample. Harm Reduction Journal, 18(1), 1-18. Web.
New International Version. (n.d.). 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Bible Gateway. Web.
Silvestro, S., Mammana, S., Cavalli, E., Bramanti, P., & Mazzon, E. (2019). Use of cannabidiol in the treatment of epilepsy: Efficacy and security in clinical trials. Molecules, 24(8), 1-25. Web.
Simonian, J. S., Varanasi, S., Diaz-Fong, J. P., Richards, G. J., Van Nguyen, A., & Hoffman, J. (2020). A critical narrative review of medical cannabis in pediatrics beyond epilepsy: Neurodevelopmental, movement, and pain disorders. Pediatric Medicine, 3, 1-10. Web.
Turner, A. R., & Agrawal, S. (2022). Marijuana. National Library of Medicine. Web.