Cannabis: legalize or not?

The issue of whether or not Cannabis use should be legalized is one of the most controversial topics in many countries around the world, Namibia being of no exception. Ongoing debates on the issue present strong arguments for and against legalization. The medicinal as well as the hazardous aspects of Cannabis have been well-documented in many articles and publications and whether or not the sale of cannabis should be legalised in Namibia, is a matter of whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages or vice versa.FloweringCannabis is the preferred name of the hemp plant Cannabis sativa. According to the 1961 United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, cannabis is defined as “the flowering or fruiting tops of the Cannabis plant, from which the resin has not been extracted”. It is commonly known as Marijuana or simply as ‘weed’. Its use for medicinal, ritual or recreational purposes results from the actions of related compounds, known as cannabinoids, found in the cannabis plant. Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been identified as the most psychoactive component in the Cannabis plant (Madras, 2015). Some parts of the United States of America, such as Arizona, New Jersey and Colorado have legalized the sale of medicinal marijuana. MedicinalThe sale of cannabis in Namibia should be legalized, but for medicinal purposes only. It can be legalised on condition that all processes of drug production, manufacture and distribution are regulated solely by the government and that marijuana will only be grown by institutions licensed to grow and harvest the drug for medicinal use. The sale of cannabis should only be by authorised persons, who have been approved and permitted by the Ministry of Health and Social services to legally sell marijuana in dispensaries. Such individuals will have to be licensed as well and only allowed to dispense cannabis to patients with a special need as diagnosed by a medical specialist, in other words cannabis should strictly be treated as a class S and R medicine, as stipulated by the Namibia Essential Medicines List (NEMLIST). Namibian laws and regulations should still be enforced for those who will be caught in possession of Cannabis, without authorisation or a prescription. One can never turn a blind eye to the effect of drugs to the Namibian society, especially to the youth and hence it should be understood that use of weed for recreational use should still remain illegal. However, one can also not ignore the benefit of the drug to many patients, especially those with painful chronic conditions such as cancer. Advantages According to a publication by Smith (2012), Marijuana has been proven to have several medicinal benefits such as in Alzheimer's disease where the active ingredient delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), has been proven to prevent an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase from accelerating the formation of Alzheimer’s plaques in the brain that can inhibit cognition and memory. Many patients have reported that Marijuana has been more effective in Alzheimer’s disease than the commercially marketed drugs. Furthermore, it also contains ingredients which play a vital role in controlling spontaneous seizures in epilepsy. Cannabis has been proven to help patients with multiple sclerosis through easing the pain in their arms and legs. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the world and marijuana helps to relieve the intraocular pressure that causes nerve damage and ultimately reverse deterioration (Smith, 2012). Marijuana is also advantageous in relieving chronic pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. It also acts as an antiemetic agent and appetite inducer and alleviates nausea (Ignor et al, 2012). In addition to all these medical benefits, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and American Cancer Society have agreed that the active ingredients in cannabinoids relieve nausea and vomiting and increase appetite in people with cancer and AIDS and also contain antibacterial properties and inhibits tumour growth. With all these benefits, one can agree that Cannabis can be more of a medicinal benefit than a liability. The fact that cannabis derivatives such as Nabilone®, which treats nausea and vomiting in cancer patients and Savitex®, which is used to treat neuropathic pain and spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis are legally used clinically, should be more of a motivation to allow cannabis itself to be legalised. The doctor/ specialist stipulates the appropriate doses and duration of drug use in cancer patients on Nabilone®, proving that controlled doses lower the chances of dependence and addiction. Cannabis can’t be outlawed based on its side effects because every drug in its nature, even cough syrup has the potential to be harmful if not used appropriately. It is just a matter of dose. Moreover, a report by Subbaraman (2014) has proven that cannabis is even less addictive than alcohol. Cannabis has also been considered as a substitute therapy for alcohol in people with a drinking problem, the same way nicotine patches are being used as therapy for tobacco use. Some agents such as morphine and other opioids which have been in long use as conventional drugs also have addictive effects but they are controlled so as to minimise such instances. Why can the same not be done for cannabis? Should Morphine also be banned because of its addictive properties? One cannot disregard the medicinal benefits of morphine and codeine and hence cannabis should also be given a chance to prove its health benefits in Namibia.Legalizing the sale of cannabis in Namibia should be strictly for medicinal purposes only and not for recreation. The government should regulate the distribution of cannabis through the Ministry of Health and Social services. Health education and the importance of proper compliance with medicinal cannabis use should be emphasised to patients receiving prescriptions of cannabis, so as to minimise undesired consequences.(Justice Sheehama, Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) student, School of Pharmacy, University of Namibia with support from The Pharmaceutical Society of Namibia; bonsingu@gmail.com)ReferencesGrant, I., Atkinson, H., G. ,., & Barth, W. (2012). Medical Marijuana: Clearing away the smoke. The Open neurology Journal, 6, 18-25.Madras, B. (2015). Update of Cannabis and its medical use. Alcohol and Drug abuse Research Program, pp. 1-41.Smith, D. (2012, August 8). 'Medical' Marijuana: 10 Health Benefits that Legitimize Legalization. IBTIMES, pp. 1-4.Subbaraman, M. (2014). Can Cannabis be considered a substitute medication for alcohol. Alcohol and Alcoholism ( Oxford, Oxfordshire), 49(3), 292-298.

Cannabis: legalize or not?

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Cannabis: legalize or not?

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