1. Legalizing
Medical
Marijuana
By: Ashley Spears, Karen
Robinson, Rosalind
Chadbourne and Anna
Ponder

2. 5 Amazing Facts about
Marijuana
 THC and CBD, marijuana’s primary
cannabinoids, are both cancer
killers
 Marijuana triggers neurogenesis
which means it leads to brain cell
growth
 Suicide rates are lower in areas
where medical marijuana is
available
 There is zero evidence that
marijuana causes significant lung
damage
 There are two completely
difference types of marijuana
 Sativa: day-time; used for seeking
depression relief, PTSD, anxiety
 Indica: often smoked at night;
suffering from type of pain, insomnia http://www.chicagonow.com/chicago-
medical-marijuana/2013/10/5-amazing-
things-you-didnt-know-about-marijuana/

3. The Public’s
Perception
“In any civilized society,
it is every citizen’s
responsibility to obey
just laws. But at the
same time, it is every
citizen’s responsibility to
disobey unjust laws.” -
Martin Luther King Jr.

4. Classification of Marijuana
 Members of Congress currently trying to
reschedule marijuana, a Schedule I drug
http://iacknowledge.net/lawmakers-send-obama-letter-
demanding-marijuana-be-removed-from-schedule-i-
classification/

6. State Legalization
 Medical
marijuana
allowed – 19
states
 Medical and
recreational
marijuana
allowed – 2
states

7. 2 Main Positive Effects of
Legalizing Medical Marijuana
 Medical purposes:
 Proven to benefit many illnesses that didn’t
respond as well to pharmaceutical medications:
AIDS, chronic neuropathic pain, epilepsy,
multiple sclerosis, nausea in chemotherapy
patients
 Economic Purposes:
 Large revenue received from taxes; dispensaries
help improve local economies

8. 10 Major Health Benefits
 (1) Migraines
 Doctors in California report they have been able
to treat more than 300,000 cases with the use of
medical marijuana
 (2) Slows tumor growth
 Research done by the American Association for
Cancer Research
 (3) Relieves symptoms of certain chronic
diseases
 (4)Prevents Alzheimer’s
 (5)Treats glaucoma
 (6) Prevents Seizures
 Marijuana is a muscle relaxant that has
“antispasmodic” qualities
 (7)Helps those with ADD & ADHD
 (8) Can treat MS
 (9)Helps relieve PMS
 (10) Helps calm those with tourette’s and OCD

9. Negative Effects of Marijuana
 Short-term effects  rapid heart rate, increased
blood pressure, increased rate of breathing, slowed
reaction time
 Young users  smoking marijuana can result in
structural and functional deficits of the brain,
lowered learning capabilities, shortened attention
span
 Heavy users  can result in fertility problems, short-
term memory loss, anxiety and depression
Why Schedule I Drug?
 Tolerance may develop; psychological withdrawals
 Can trigger or exacerbate certain mental disorders
 May be a gateway drug leading to other
dependencies