Health in America isn’t the best when
comparing other countries around the world. Our diet policies on healthcare and
knowledge of the correct medicine are all factors that contribute to our poor
health culture. A subculture that is slowly becoming main stream is the medical
marijuana scene. This concept was vague for me until I began research and
experiencing the medical marijuana culture.
On the other side you have people who think medical marijuana
specifications are non- existent and cannabis and its properties have no health
benefits. The government still classifies marijuana in the same category as heroin.
While understanding the role of organic chemistry; analyzing the forms of
medical marijuana, and evaluate the culture and talk around this profound topic
we can create an accurate opinion.
When measuring the content of medical
marijuana organic chemistry helps scientist discover what marijuana has.
Science has help classified the THC content by chromatography “Any of various techniques for the separation of complex mixtures that
rely on the differential affinities of substances for a gas or liquid mobile
medium and for a stationary adsorbing medium through which they pass, such as
paper, gelatin, or magnesia”(FreeDictionary). When you hear of Medical
Marijuana that strand of cannabis is tested and given the grade of Medical
Marijuana. Once the science community began testing the cannabis other properties
were discovered. 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol,
“8-Tetrahydrocannabinol,
Cannabichromene, Cannabicyclol, Cannabidiol, Cannabielsoin,
Cannabigerol, Cannabinidiol, Cannabinol, Cannabitriol.”(procon)
are the common properties that give the medical benefits to its consumers. The
whole process in producing medical marijuana is organic chemistry, Botany is
the base group. The balance of your feeding solution is when organic chemistry
comes in to the picture. Lights that are used for growing medical grade plants
are also tailored to mimic the solar power that the sun holds. Keeping a consistent
flow of fresh air is a key factor. Plants need carbon dioxide to live; so
having air from outside that contains carbon dioxide keeps plants healthy.
The plant alone has many benefits, the plant material or Hemp “For a
crop, hemp is very environmentally friendly as it requires few pesticides, when
not grown industrially and no herbicides. Results indicate that high yield of
hemp may require high total nutrient levels (field plus fertilizer nutrients)
similar to a high yielding wheat crop” (hemphistory). The health
benefits are in the flowers and leaves of the plant. Medical Marijuana is
trimmed and dried for patients can smoke. The flowers are what is consumed by
most people who has tried marijuana or who use medical marijuana regularly. When
patients become weaker or they do not prefer the harshness of smoking flowers
causes they’re other options. Hash and concentrates are offered. This takes all
the chemicals from the flower that helps give the high and medical benefits
without the harshness. “This concept is for the very ill medical marijuana
patients. This form also is known for curing cancer (procon.org)”. The two
types of ways concentrates are extracted are solvent and non-solvent methods.
Butane hash oil is one of the most popular types of hash oil. Butane is the
solvent that strips the plant of its Medical properties and then is cooked and
degassed for a clean end product. Water hash is a non-solvent extraction that
uses ice and water to collect the medical chemicals on the flowers. Like flower
heat is used to smoke concentrates. Heating the oil at high temperatures for
vapor smoke is ideal. If there is a medical marijuana patient who is weak
enough that vapor smoke is too harsh medical butter is used. Cannabis butter is
made by cooking the flower in a fat solution. Better or oil is mixed with
flower at low heat and then strained so the oil or butter is left to cook with.
On average the cannabis butter has a stronger effect on its patients due to our
bodies. Once you ingested the food with cannabis butter our bodies break down
the fats and distribute the THCs throughout the body then it reaches our
brains.
Marijuana in the same category of Tylenol
is unreal to a lot of people. The health issues for medical marijuana patients
are real. “Despite the toxicity of THC delivered in any form, evidence supports
the selective use of pure THC preparations to treat nausea associated with
cancer chemotherapy and to stimulate appétit”( Voth, Eric A. and Richard H. Schwartz). Lungs are affected by the smoking of
flower. More chemicals enter your body when smoking cannabis. “EATING
low doses of THC, the active ingredient in cannabis, helps prevent arteries
clogging up, at least in mice”( New Scientist). The fact of the matter is medical marijuana
can be treated for aliments that cause harm to your body. “The government has
Marijuana classified as a schedule one drug the same category as heroine.” (US
Department of Justice). The local governments
see medical marijuana as a option for residential health issues and the
government doesn’t acknowledge the plant at all. To comply with the demand
government officials passed a law. “Section 280E represents a
departure from the longstanding practice of generally taxing illegal businesses
in the same manner as legal businesses and effectively causes medical marijuana
businesses to be taxed on their gross income rather than their net income”
(ROCHE JR., EDWARD J). The
conflict is the control the government doesn’t have over the cannabis plant. To
comply with the government medical marijuana business people follow the
guidelines made for their business to stay legal. The culture of marijuana is
growing into the mainstream eye. With the critical bias attitude against this
lifestyle the ones involved need to take marijuana seriously. Medical Marijuana
holds true value and responsible people should treat it as such. Staying
educated on the techniques and produces that are made are ideal to know. The
states that are not medical can have their residence voice their opinions about
medical marijuana. The stigma of people who smoke marijuana is a negative one.
Stoners are dirty, uneducated, and drug addicts. When you hear of the Olympic
gold medalist Michael Phelps smoking weed before and after his time as a
professional swimmer all of the acclaims are erased with one person’s success.
When understanding what benefits medical
marijuana harnesses people have to take a higher responsibility. People are
actually getting a second chance at life and the process is all natural. When understanding
organic chemistry and the principles that go into producing medical marijuana,
the facts support the science behind medical marijuana. The technology that has
been applied to producing forms of medical marijuana helps more people. Some
people can’t physically smoke dry herb so editable are available to treat
peoples aliment. Even after reading studies that scientist made and seeing the
testimonials of different people you would think the government would legalize
the plant. This concept of marijuana having medical properties is new so there
are mixed opinions and policies in certain areas of the nation. There are many
benefits that America can take advantage of once you have become educated on
the subject. As states secede from the DEA idea on this issue more people will
become knowledgeable and gain respect for marijuana as a medical entity.
