Formal paper part 1

Running head: FORMAL PAPER PART ONE 1

Formal Paper Part 1

Contemporary Issues in Healthcare

Florida SouthWestern State College

FORMAL PAPER PART ONE 2

Abstract

This paper will explain what regular marijuana and Charlotte’s Web are. Medical benefits

of both will be discussed along with the similarities and differences between the two. Then it will

debate the pros and cons of legalizing both substances for medical and recreational purposes and

which states already do so. It will conclude with this student’s opinion of what was researched

and explain if their opinion was changed and why.

Keywords: Marijuana, Charlotte’s Web, medical benefit, recreational benefit, legalization

FORMAL PAPER PART ONE 3

Formal Paper Part One

Marijuana use has been a topic of hot debate in today’s society. There are many different

opinions on the subject, but one thing for certain is that there is plenty of research out there that

supports both the good and the bad of its use. This paper will delve into this sensitive subject by

defining, discussing, and researching what marijuana and Charlotte’s Web is, their use,

legalization matters, and this student’s personal opinion based on what was examined.

Regular Marijuana

Marijuana is defined as the dried leaves and female flowers of the hemp plant, used in

cigarette form as a narcotic or hallucinogen (Dictionary.com, 2017). It is a greenish-gray

mixture of dried leaves that is part of the hemp plant called cannabis sativa and is used in a

variety of ways such as being smoked, brewing tea, or mixed into foods (National Institute on

Drug Abuse, 2017). The main chemical responsible in marijuana that has hallucinogenic or mind

altering effects is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC (National Institute on Drug

Abuse, 2017). People who use marijuana recreationally seek this feeling.

Charlotte’s Web

Charlotte’s web is oil that is extracted from the hemp plant and contains U.S. government

patented cannabinoids that contains 0.3% or less of THC (Realm of Caring Foundation, 2017). It

was developed by the Stanley Brothers when they began growing high-CBD cannabis strains.

CBD does not cause the high that THC does, therefore is can be used for more medicinal

purposes. Some of the medical benefits of CBD include antiemetic, anticonvulsant,

FORMAL PAPER PART ONE 4

antipsychotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, and combats tumor and cancer cells

(LeafScience, 2014).

Medical benefits of regular marijuana

In order to see all the benefits of marijuana, it is necessary to understand how it works.

Cells in the brain that process information are called neurons, and the chemical that allows

neurons to communicate are called neurotransmitters (Bonsor & Gerbis, 2017) .

Neurotransmitters bridge the gap between neurons that allows numerous functions in the brain

and body to switch on and off (Bonsor & Gerbis, 2017). By hindering or filling in these areas,

THC can have different effects on the body and its bodily functions.

Medical benefits of regular marijuana include treating symptoms of multiple sclerosis

(MS), other muscle control problems, sleep deprivation, glaucoma, inflammation, nausea, pain,

and epileptic seizures (National Institute of Drug Abuse, 2017). There is also a unique balance

that will be necessary to find with marijuana as treatments. It may decrease anxiety in low doses,

but higher doses may increase anxiety and make the user become paranoid (Welsh & Loria,

2014).

The Scripps Research Institute published a study that found THC slows the formation of

plaques by blocking the enzyme that the brain makes; the plaque is what kills brain cells and can

lead to Alzheimer’s disease (Welsh & Loria, 2014). Since it is relatively new, it is clear to see

why more research is being done on marijuana and why more people are turning to it for their

health problems. It is important to have these trials because it will be worth it to see if there are

any major negative side effects.

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Medical benefits of Charlotte’s Web

Several medical benefits of Charlotte’s Web were listed earlier, but there is no better

example of proof than with the story of Charlotte Figi. Charlotte was diagnosed with Dravet

Syndrome at three months old, experienced autism-like behaviors at two years old, and then at

five years old was suffering approximately 300 seizures per week that could last hours at a time

(Healthy Hemp Oil , 2017). The desperate parents went to the Stanley Brothers and Charlotte

was given a strain of marijuana, now called Charlotte’s Web that was low in THC and high in

CBD. Her seizures stopped, her autistic symptoms are essentially gone, and she can now carry on

a normal life (Healthy Hemp Oil , 2017).

CBD has many medical uses and it works with THC to provide these benefits. CBD has

been shown to offer healing effects on the body and reduce some of the psychological effects

that THC has on the brain (Siruis, 2015). CBD is able to bind to different areas on receptors than

where THC does so it creates a sedative, anti-depressant effect on the brain without the

psychoactive high that comes with THC (Siruis, 2015). Sometimes THC and CBD work together

even though they have separate functions.

Charlotte Figi is not the only case; other parents have reported a high rate of success in

reducing the amount of seizures with CBD treatments and it shows positive side effects when it

comes to behavior and alertness (Jacobson & Porter, 2016). When it comes to children,

Charlotte’s Web would be a great substitute for regular marijuana since it does not contain THC.

If kids can still get the medical benefits without the effects of THC, and since CBD has

optimistic behavioral effects, it can help them be a normal kid again.

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Similarities and Differences

Since Charlotte’s Web and marijuana are from the same hemp plant, they will have

several medical benefits in common. These include stopping seizures, reducing pain and

inflammation, and help with muscle control problems. They both also latch on to

neurotransmitters that in turn inhibit or change body functions. Another similarity is that more

people are turning to these forms of treatments as opposed to other pharmaceutical drugs.

However, the main difference between the two is the presence of THC. THC is what

causes tiredness and hallucinogenic thoughts. Since Charlotte’s Web has a very low dose of

THC, users are more alert and not as groggy. THC can also cause short-term memory and affect

coordination. This makes Charlotte’s Web the more viable option to give, especially to children.

Another difference is that THC increases the user’s appetite. This would be good in a situation

when someone is recovering from a chemotherapy treatment, since they are in pain and nauseous

afterwards. Chemotherapy patients usually do not feel like eating and are stressed out from the

pain of what they are going through; marijuana may help with that.

FORMAL PAPER PART ONE 7

References

Bonsor, K., & Gerbis, N. (2017). How Marijuana Works. Retrieved from How Stuff Works

Science: http://science.howstuffworks.com/marijuana3.htm

Dictionary.com. (2017). Retrieved from Dictionary.com:

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/marijuana

Healthy Hemp Oil . (2017). Charlotte Figi’s Ongoing Story With Medical Marijuana. Retrieved

from Healthy Hemp Oil : https://healthyhempoil.com/charlotte-figi-2/

Jacobson, C., & Porter, B. E. (2016, May 26). Survey of Current Cannabidiol Use in Pediatric

Treatment-Resistant Epilepsy. Retrieved from Realm of Caring:

https://www.theroc.us/jacobson-porter-study

LeafScience. (2014, February 23). 5 Must-Know Facts About Cannabidiol (CBD). Retrieved

from LeadScience: http://www.leafscience.com/2014/02/23/5-must-know-facts-

cannabidiol-cbd/

National Institute of Drug Abuse. (2017, April). Marijuana as Medicine. Retrieved from

National Institute of Drug Abuse:

https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana-medicine

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2017, April). What is marijuana? . Retrieved from National

Institute on Drug Abuse: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-

reports/marijuana/what-marijuana

Realm of Caring Foundation. (2017). CW Everday Hemp Oils. Retrieved from Realm of Caring:

https://www.cwhemp.com/

Siruis, J. (2015, August 11). How Does CBD Affect The Brain? Retrieved from High Times:

http://hightimes.com/culture/how-does-cbd-affect-the-brain/

Welsh, J., & Loria, K. (2014, April 20). 23 Health Benefits Of Marijuana. Retrieved from

Business Insider: http://www.businessinsider.com/health-benefits-of-medical-marijuana-

2014-4/#chemical-found-in-marijuana-stops-cancer-from-spreading-5