Week 10 and my Final Project

Well this is the last week of this class and as promised here is my final papaer for all to read hope you enjoy reading it.



Abstract

The chemicals in marijuana are administered by smoking the herb leaves or in oil based form to help patients suffering with AIDS, brain tumors, and cancer. Marijuana has been used for many years as a medicine world wide. Present research shows that the chemicals in cannabis are non-toxic; not like the chemicals found in a cigarette which have been linked to some type cancer. Even though it does have medical value Marijuana is still a schedule 1 narcotic, giving it the status of highly addictive and dangerous. AIDS patients that use cannabis report that it helps ease their pain and relieves nausea so they can eat. Current medical and university researchers are proving that chemicals in marijuana could lead to a cure for many cancers and helps ease pain and nausea experienced by AIDS patients. . Researchers showed that the main chemical in cannabis shrank tumors in half within a month. Patients that suffer with cancer are sometimes subjective to cures worse than the disease. Why make patients suffer the side-effects of chemotherapy or radiation therapy when research has proven chemicals in marijuana impede cancer cells and tumors leaving healthy cells alone






Cannabis the Natural Cure for Cancer

Cannabis sativa has been used for medical purposes throughout world history. Marijuana contains no poisonous or deadly chemicals unlike cigarette tobacco that has a warning label on each pack. Some AIDS patients medicate themselves by inhaling marijuana smoke to ease pain and nausea. Recent studies show the main chemical in cannabis delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) shrinks brain tumors within weeks. Researchers have found that THC stops the spread of cancers like lung cancer, melanoma, and breast cancer. THC can be administered by smoking cannabis sativa or oil based form called hemp oil to help patients suffering with AIDS, brain tumors, and cancer.

Marijuana was incorporated in the US for 150 years; until the Controlled Substance Act was passed in the 1930’s (Debondt, E. 2006). This acted made the possession of marijuana illegal without a tax stamp. Unfortunately since the 1960’s cannabis sativa has been labeled a schedule 1 narcotic which makes it classified as highly addictive with no medical value (Nature, 2001). This event made it harder for researchers and medical scientist in America to conduct studies on cannabis. However times have changed and there are now 13 states that have legalized medical marijuana. The problem is that marijuana’s still illegal on a federal level making it hard for patients that need this drug access to it (Chapkis, W. 2007). Then there are still people that believe smoking one marijuana cigarette, (joint) are far worse than smoking two or more tobacco cigarettes.

There are reports saying that chemical compounds in cannabis are non-toxic.and some report smoking marijuana is more harmful than cigarettes. A man named Francis Young who was a DEA Administrative Law Judge stated that marijuana is safer than some foods we eat (Medical Marijuana, 2008). There are about 400 known chemicals in marijuana, 66 of them called cannabinoids are unique to the plant, none of which are proven to cause cancer. If the chemicals in marijuana are bad then why did the National Institute of Medicine and World Health Organization both agree there is no real evidence of cannabis causing biological harm, psychological impairment, or social dysfunction? (Chapkis,W. 2007). On the other hand cigarettes are known to be hazardous to our health.

Cigarette tobacco kills about one fifth of the American population (American Cancer Society, 2009), making it one of the most dangerous legal drugs in the US. There are 60 known chemicals that cause cancer in cigarettes (Martin, T. 2009). Some of the cancer causing agents called carcinogens are well known like; formaldehyde, arsenic, ammonia, and carbon monoxide. These chemicals in tobacco cause your heart rate and blood pressure to increase not to mention the havoc they play on the organs and defense system (Martin, T. 2009). With this evidence it is hard to believe that smoking marijuana is worse for you than tobacco. It is ironic that the drug causing cancer is legal but the one that stops cancer is illegal.

The starting point of marijuana’s illegality happened with racial prejudice against Mexicans in the southwest in the 1930’s, the police force clamed that Mexicans would get high on cannabis and cause trouble (Musto, D. 1972). So this plant, which grows in nature, became illegal because of fear and prejudices. The legality battle is still going on today; even though many states have legalized marijuana for medical use the federal government can arrest patients prescribed cannabis. It is down right criminal to arrest patients that use medical marijuana, especially when that is all that helps them.

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a deadly disease that is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). AIDS has taken the lives of 20,000,000 people with over 30,000,000 still infected (Siliciano R. 2001). There is no cure for AIDS yet but there are treatments and drugs that allow a patient to live a longer life. However some patients still have nausea and severe pain even if they are taking the treatments or drugs. Some AIDS patients use cannabis for its medicinal ability’s along with their treatments.

AIDS patients use cannabis to ease their pain so they can function better and also eases nausea so they can eat without compromising their already weak immune system. According to a 1999 report done by the Institute of Medicine, marijuana alleviates nausea, appetite loss, pain and anxiety (Elders, 2004). This is just one of many reports that say the same thing, showing that there is more to marijuana than just being a drug to get high on. There was also a study done at San Francisco’s general hospital showing that there was no proof of immunological damage in AIDS patients using marijuana (Medical Marijuana & HIV/AIDS, 2009). In fact researchers found out that cannabis actually showed an increase of the immune systems CD4 and CD8 cells in AIDS patients (Medical Marijuana & HIV/AIDS, 2009).

Patients that suffer from brain tumors and cancer have little choice in their treatments. Most of these treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy cause a lot of damage to healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Radiation therapy is an alternative to patients that do not want to undergo or can not undergo surgery. (Stoppler, M. 2009). Even though radiation therapy is thought to be safer than surgery it does have side effects like nausea, lack of energy, and diarrhea (Stoppler, M. 2009). Chemotherapy treatments are giving in pill form, an injection, or both. This treatment can cause damage to non-cancerous cells that could result in major problems (Stoppler, M. 2009). Tiredness, weight loss, mouth sores, and loss of hair are just a few of the side effects of chemotherapy (Stoppler, M. 2009).

Each year brain tumor cases increase and unfortunately doctors still do not know the primary cause of them (Mayo Clinic staff, 2008). There are many types of brain tumors that are malignant and deadly like glioma for example. However research teams from two Universities in Madrid, Spain found in laboratory studies that TCH killed glioma with no signs of dangerous side effects (Phoenixtears, 2009). This research could save a lot of people suffering from these types of brain tumors and cancer as well.

THC has been found to stop the spread of and shrink lung cancer, melanoma, and breast cancer. It does this without causing harm to the patient’s already healthy cells. There were also around eighteen studies done in a three year time period proving that chemicals in cannabis are really affective at fighting cancer cells (Cannabis, 2008).

Lung cancer is the most common cancer and affects mostly the elderly (Stoppler, M. 2009). Lung cancer can spread very quickly throughout the body making it very dangerous and deadly. There are many treatments for lung cancer like surgical removal of the tumor, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Unfortunately even with these treatments the cancer can come back, which means the patient would have to go through the treatments all over again. However researchers found that THC administered to mice with human lung cancer cells within a three week period had shrunk the cancer in half (HealthRelatedInfo, 2007). That means in a period of two months THC could totally destroy the cancer without the pain of surgery or harmful side affects that can company radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

Melanoma is the worst kind of skin cancer there is and unfortunately tens of thousands of people are diagnosed with it in the US alone (NationCancerInstitute, 2003). A man named Rick Simpson found that applying hemp oil to his skin cancer over a period of four days cured the cancer (Erickson, H. 2009, p.13). Unfortunately when he went to tell his doctor that he cured his cancer the doctor did not want to hear it (Erickson, H. 2009, p13). He went on to help cure his several of his fellow human being and he clams that he is able to cure every form of cancer that he has come across (Erickson, H. 2009, p13). There is a lot of evidence that would suggest there are compounds in cannabis that can cure skin cancer (Cannabis, 2008). This research proves that Rick Simpson was right about marijuana. Just like all the other types of cancer mentioned in this paper marijuana can be used to cure it, and medical personal should take advantage of this “miracle drug”.

According to the American Cancer Society around 192,370 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and about 40,170 women will die from it this year alone (American Cancer Society, 2009). Some of the conventional treatments for breast cancer are surgical removal of the tumor or in extreme cases total removal of the breast, radiation treatment, and chemotherapy. However an alternative treatment may be possible that would not cause pain, suffering, or loss of one or both breast. That alternative treatment is a cannabis compound that is non-toxic and inhibits aggressive breast cancer from spreading (McAllister, 2008). This could save a lot of women’s life and make breast cancer less freighting for women.

Cannabis is valuable both to the medical community and patents suffering from AIDS, brain tumors and cancer. The proof of medical significance in marijuana suggests it need to be relabeled and possibly legalized across the board. Especially sense there is no real proof that cannabis is harmful and no deaths have ever been recorded from marijuana use. Hopefully this will change the way people view cannabis. This amazing plant holds the cure for untreatable cancers, and who knows what other cures for diseases it holds. True there are already cures for cancer and tumors but cannabis should be one of them. The pioneers like Rick Simpson and the medical researchers that proved marijuana is a cure should be revered as the men and women who brought us into an age of enlightenment. Maybe we should all take a lesson for them and make the medical community more about saving life than making a quick buck. As Rick Simpson said in Phoenix Tears (2009), “What would you do if you found the cure for cancer?”


References

American Cancer Society (2009) Detailed Guide: Breast Cancer. Retrieved November 20,2009. From:
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2_3x.asp?dt=5

Cannabis, C. a. (2008). Cancer and Cannabis . Retrieved November 17, 2009, from Cancer and Medical Marijuana
http://www.medical-marijuana-testimonials.org/Cancer-and-medical-marijuana.htm

Debondt, E. (2006). Historical and regulatory issues of medical marijuana. Oncology Nursing Form. 33, p440

Elders, D. J. (2004). Myths About Medical Marijuana. Retrieved November 15, 2009, from The November
Coalition: http://www.november.org/stayinfo/breaking2/Elders.html

Erickson, H. (2009, May/June). Phoenix Tears. Medical marijuana news and directory, 12-15.

HealthRelatedInfo. (2007). Marijuana Compound May Fight Lung Cancer. Retrieved November 17, 2009,
from Health Related Info: http://www.healthrelatedinfos.com/marijuana-compound-may-fight-
lung-cancer-94/

Martin, T. (2009) Harmful Chemicals in Cigarettes. Retrieved November 20, 2009, from About.com:Smoking Cessation: http://quitsmoking.about.com/od/chemicalsinsmoke/a/chemicalshub.htm

Mayo Clinic staff (2009) Brain Tumor. Retrieved November 20, 2009, From
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/brain-tumor/DS00281

McAllister, S. (2008). Basic Science Research. Retrieved November 17, 2009, from California Pacific Medical
Center : http://www.cpmc.org/professionals/research/programs/science/sean.html

Medical Marijuana & HIV/AIDS. (2009). Retrieved November 15, 2009, from Marijuana Policy Project:
http://www.mpp.org/library/medical-marijuana-hivaids.html

Musto, D. (1972). The History of the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937. Retrieved on November 21, 2009. From, Schaffer Library on Drug Policy: http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/hemp/history/mustomj1.html

Nation Cancer Institute. (2003) what you need to know about Melanoma. Retrieved November
18, 2009, from U.S. National Institute of Health: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/melanoma

Siliciano, R. (2001). Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Encyclopedia of life sciences. Natural publishing group

Stöppler, M. MD (2009) Lung Cancer. Retrieved November 15, 2009, from MedicineNet.com:
http://www.medicinenet.com/lung_cancer/article.htm

Week 9

Well this is week 9, I can not believe that the time has gone by so fast. I am finally done with my project, it is not as long as I would have liked however it is strait and to the point. I really don't like beating around the bush per-sa. I am glad and amazed that I did as good as I have in this class. During this term I have gone to the hospital twice, once for a respatory disorder (broncitis) and once for a complex migraine (to which I am taking 500mg to 1000mg of hydrocodone for). I have been a little stressed out partly because I have yet to find a job. Most of the places I have apllied for tell me that they will not hire me because I am a college student, (guess they don't want to waste their time training someone only for them to quit later on for a better job.) I thought being a college student would open up opportunitys for me (so much for that). I have learned that College does not make things easier it has made things harder, but I will graduate and when I do I will be able to get a good job working from home so that I can continue with my education and become a Naturopathic doctor.
Peace & Love to all.

Week 8 Writing my Final Project

Well this the end of week 8, I wanted to start writing my final project out at the start of this week. However I had my final project in my medical terminology class due this week and most of my focus was on this. I am going to focus all of my energy on my College Composition II for the Health Care Professional final project. The professor gave me some good ideas on my graded Unit 6 draft. My goal is to write two pages a day from monday to thursday; review on friday and saturday and turn it in on sunday or monday at the latest. Once I get my project graded I will fix any mistakes and then I will post it here in my blog so you can all read it and post comments.
Thank you and talk to you later.
Peace.
Joshua J.

Week 7

Sorry about this late post I just got over a complex migrain headach. It was so bad that my room mates thought I was having a stroke. I thought I was having a stroke, I went to the hospital and it turned out that along with my migrain my nervous system went haywire due to the fact that I have been very stressed. The doctors gave me so much morphine that I slept for two days strait. The worst part of going to the hospital was getting a catheter, that really hurt. I am better now and am going to be working really hard on my project for the next two weeks. I hope that nothing else goes wrong this term I do not think I can affored to get set back any farther than I already am.
Good Luck to all of you on your final paper.
Peace.

Week 6 Free Your Mind

Hi, well this is week 6. I live in Colorado Springs and there are medical marijuana clinics here so on Monday I am going to set up an interview with one of the Doctors and a staff member and maybe a patient too. I would like to add a thought, College and University's are suppost to challenge the way we think. Allowing us to see things in a different way so that we can free our minds so that we can think in different ways. This allows us to be leaders not followers, We all have the power to change the world and we must take that responsabillaty because no one else will. So remember to open your mind to all possibility that way your mind can not get locked in a prison.
Peace to all.
Joshua

Week 5 Post

Hi
Welcome back I hope that you have had a wonderful week and your projects are coming along with out a hitch. I have dicided to start working on my unit 6 project tommorow, which is saturday the 14th. Oh yea by the way happy Friday the 13th lol. I really don't believe in the friday the 13th thing. You make your own luck with lots of hard work. The video documentary that inspired me to write about the medical benifits of marijuana is called "Run from the Cure the Rick Simpson story" I would suggest that you go to youtube and type that into the search bar and watch all 7 videos about Rick Simpson. I will try to post a link here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjhT9282-Tw

Hopfuly you can click on it and it will take you to the site. Just remember to watch videos 1-7.
Please comment back and let me know what you think.
Thank you and have a great day.

Week 4

Well I have decided to start on my outline this week. I want to get a head with my project in this class because I will have a really big test for my final in Medical Terminology. I will be spending my week 8 and week 9 studying for this test. This means that I will have to focus most of my attention to my final project in this class for the next 3 to 4 weeks. My plan is to be able to turn my final project into the writing center in the begining of week 8, and at week 9 I will make the final adjustments and turn it in. In my project I intent to prove the THC can cure cancer and that people that profit from cancer do not want this information to get out. I will throughout the weeks provide evedince to support my findings, with links and articles for those of you that follow my blog. So that you too may know the truth and it shall set you free.
Til next time Love and Peace to all.

Getting Sick the third week in.

So check out this sick, sad, and twisted tale. On the 26th of October, a day before the start of unit 3 in my classes I get sick. At first I thought I was the H1N1 virus, it was not. However I could not even move out of bed for the first two days and I was caughing and feverish. My temp. when from 101.9 to 102.8 and on the third day I could not breath it felt like I was drownding in my serous fluids. I went to the hospital where they first thought I had pneumonia but my blood work came up negative. Finally they told me I had bronchitis I recived a breathing treatment to open up my lungs and get some of the mucus up and I was given some meds and sent home. Here is the funny part, my other class is Medical Terminology and one of the chapters I had to study that week was about the respiratory system and here I am with a type of respiratory disorder lol.

Welcome to my blog

Hi my friends and welcome to my blog.
Let me tell you a bit about my college experience. I am now in my 5th term. my other class is Medical Terminology. My degree is Associate of Applied Science in Medical Transcription.
I am currantly holding a GPA of 3.43, which is not bad but not really good. I am an honors student and I plan on joining an honors society when the opportunity arises. College is a lot of hard work, but you already know that lol.
Well until next time peace to all of you.
Joshua