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Medicinal Marijuana

Kyle Hart
English 103
Bob Mohrbacher
17 March 2006
Medicinal Marijuana
The battle to legalize marijuana has been fought for almost seven decades, rendering one of nature's most useful substances useless. The government's campaign against marijuana has created cultural factors that make the use of marijuana socially unacceptable. Although extensive scientific research has proven that marijuana treats many illnesses, legislation has not allowed the drug to be legalized. If this drug were made legal, it would open a "gateway" of medical marvels nation wide. Marijuana should be legalized for medicinal use.
In the United States, medical interest in cannabis use was found in 1860 by the convening of a Committee on Cannabis Indica of the Ohio State Medical Society, which reported on its therapeutic applications. More than 100 articles were published recommending cannabis for one disorder or another. During the years between 1856 and 1937, cannabis lost its image as a medicine and was left with a disreputable image as an intoxicant (Morgan 22).
There are many different ways and techniques of smoking marijuana and inhaling the drug into your lungs, including rolling a joint (marijuana cigarette), smoking out of a bowl, using a water pipe (or bongs) and a gravity bong. Joints are very common and well known throughout the drug community. Joints are better known for a relaxed atmosphere and typically related to "if you are listening to Bob Marley you are smoking a joint" (Morgan 123). Joints can be made with automatic tobacco rollers, papers and even a dollar bill can be used. It is said that smoking from a bowl is one of the best methods to smoke marijuana. There are many different ways to make a bowl; the simplest is to go out and buy one for an average price of $25. Aluminum cans, apples, and even certain sticks can be used as bowls. Using water pipes, or bongs as they are most commonly known, is a popular bowl smoking method. The smoke is filtered through water...