Marijuana is federally illegal in the USA, and it is not even legally accepted as a medicine. But some states have recognized its medical use. The relevance of medical Marijuana has long been a matter of great debate.

Marijuana is a narcotic substance derived from the cannabis plant. It is used in various forms, such as directly orally or in the form of smoking. The cultivation and use of medical Marijuana is allowed under federal law in many countries, such as Argentina, Canada, Croatia, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Israel, Switzerland, etc. The use of marijuana for recreational purposes is allowed in some countries, such as Georgia, South Africa, and Uruguay.

Relevance of Marijuana as Medicine

Generally, first of all, we should look at the medical importance of Marijuana. Marijuana shows some peculiar effects on the human body, such as relaxing the muscles. It can block the sensation of heat, cold,, and pain and relax the human brain. Because of this, Marijuana is also used as a narcotic and for medicinal purposes. Marijuana is used as a medicine for many diseases, such as AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, Crohn's disease, eating disorders, glaucoma, cachexia, migraines, seizures, severe pain, severe nausea, persistent muscle cramps, and wasting syndrome. It can be used for cancer patients who are taking chemotherapy. Chemotherapy has some immediate bad effects on the human body, like anxiety, vomiting,g and chronic pain. The use of Marijuana under medical prescription relaxes the patient. Marijuana can provide relief from every type of chronic pain.

Many of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies are using Marijuana in their drugs. Major pharmaceutical companies, including AbbVie, Sanofi, Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb, Roche, and Pfize,are actively investing in cannabis research and development, particularly in areas such as cancer therapy. The global medical cannabis market is estimated to reach $2.20 billion by 2025 and $2.52 billion by 2029. These figures tell us the level of medical use of cannabis. And this is when its use is illegal in many countries of the world, due to which its availability becomes difficult. Because even where it is legally cultivated, it is under strict regulatory control.

Marijuana is a gift of nature in the medical world. Because marijuana is a cheap and easy natural creation, it is less dangerous for the human body than other narcotic drugs.

Use of Marijuana as a narcotic

According to combined Gallup data from 2023 and 2024, fifteen percent of Americans surveyed admitted that they smoke marijuana. In 2021-2022, this figure was 14%. 11% of American women also consume marijuana for recreational purposes. However, the actual figure may be much higher than this. Because there is a large number of youth who do not publicly admit that they consume any kind of intoxicant. An estimated 7% of adults in the United States suffer from cannabis use disorder (CUD), a figure that stands at 16.3 million. Of these cannabis users, approximately 30% suffer from CUD. It is a major medical concern for the US.

The synthesis of medical marijuana is very easy and cheap for the drug industry. And this very quality makes it easy for drug addicts as well. Because it becomes easily available to them, and they are able to cultivate it secretly in their homes. However,r a lot of medicinal salts are used by drug peddlers and smugglers to synthesize narcotic drugs. Codeine, caffeine, methamphetamine, and benzodiazepines are some of the popular drugs that are used by drug addicts directly.

The use of marijuana as a narcotic is a problem that arises due to poor implementation of laws and corruption. Marijuana as a medical marijuana and narco drug are both different issues. Marijuana is easily available everywhere because it is a bush. It can grow anywhere by itself. So an addict can get that drug from the jungle area.

There is no doubt that behind many campaigns like the demand to legalize marijuana, to facilitate its availability, and to legalize its cultivation, drug smugglers also play a role. Because in this wa,y they want to facilitate the way to use it in the drug trade under its cover. We should maintain social awareness to prevent marijuana addiction. And governments should make the laws more powerful and relevant.