SCRIPT

Medical marijuana has been studied for its potential therapeutic benefits in various medical conditions. Here are some
references that discuss its medical applications:

Cancer Treatment: Medical marijuana has been found to alleviate cancer-related pain and mitigate side effects of
chemotherapy, such as nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Dr. Donald Abrams, an oncologist and professor of
medicine at the University of California San Francisco, states, "Cannabis is highly effective for cancer pain and the side
effects of cancer treatment." https://www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/info-2019/cannabis-for-medical-
conditions.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Chronic Pain Management: Patients often use cannabis to self-treat chronic pain. However, the American Medical
Association notes a lack of comprehensive data assessing its safety and efficacy for this purpose. https://www.ama-
assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/cannabis-use-and-health-what-physicians-should-
know?utm_source=chatgpt.com#

Neurological and Mental Health Disorders: Cannabis has been explored for its potential in treating conditions like
anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some studies suggest that cannabinoids may help
reduce symptoms associated with these disorders. https://marijuanatimes.org/how-does-medical-marijuana-help-
12-patient-types-who-can-benefit/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Epilepsy: Certain cannabis-derived medications have been approved for treating specific forms of epilepsy, particularly
when traditional treatments are ineffective. These medications can help reduce the frequency and severity of seizures.
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/medical-marijuana-faq?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Opioid Use Reduction: Research indicates that cannabis may assist some individuals in reducing or discontinuing opioid
use. A study from the University of Southern California found that participants used cannabis to manage cravings and
withdrawal symptoms, suggesting its potential as a harm reduction tool.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/aug/12/weed-help-cut-opioid-use?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Why is our country not arresting people who smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol, even though both substances can
severely damage the health of individual? Smoking is a leading cause of lung disease, cancer, and heart problems, while
excessive alcohol consumption contributes to liver disease, mental health issues, and addiction. Despite these well-
documented health risks, cigarettes and alcohol remain legal and widely accessible.

On the other hand, medical marijuana, which has been scientifically proven to help patients with chronic pain, epilepsy,
and other conditions, remains illegal in many places especially, here in the Philippines. This raises serious concerns
about justice and individual autonomy. Justice means fair treatment under the law, yet patients who could benefit from
medical marijuana are denied access, while harmful substances like cigarettes and alcohol are legally available. This
double standard disproportionately affects individuals suffering from debilitating conditions, limiting their right to
choose a treatment that could improve their quality of life.

Autonomy—the right of individuals to make informed choices about their own bodies and health—is a fundamental
principle in medical ethics. If patients, alongside their doctors, decide that medical cannabis is the best treatment for
their condition, they should have the legal right to access it. Just like prescription medications which is the antibiotics,
marijuana could be regulated with proper medical oversight, ensuring it is used safely and effectively.

If our country can regulate/allow alcohol and cigarettes despite their harm, why not regulate medical marijuana in the
same way? Denying patients access to medical cannabis while allowing the sale of more harmful substances like
smokes, vape or cigarettes and alcohols are both unjust and a violation of personal autonomy. Legalizing it for medical
use—under the supervision of licensed doctors, by these it can ensures that individuals have the freedom to choose
treatments that best support their health while maintaining necessary safeguards to prevent misuse or recreational
use.
Several countries and states have already legalized medical marijuana under strict regulations, demonstrating that a
controlled system can work. Research from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine confirms
that cannabis is effective for treating chronic pain and chemotherapy-induced nausea
(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425767). Additionally, Canada and Germany have implemented
successful medical cannabis programs, allowing patients to access it through licensed doctors and pharmacies.

In both Canada and Germany, patients can access medical cannabis through licensed healthcare professionals and
pharmacies.

Canada: Health Canada outlines that patients authorized by their healthcare provider can obtain medical cannabis by
purchasing directly from a federally licensed seller. This process involves obtaining a medical document from a
healthcare practitioner and registering with a licensed producer to receive cannabis for medical purposes. (
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/topics/accessing-cannabis-for-medical-
purposes.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com )

Germany: Since 2017, German legislation permits patients with serious illnesses to access medical cannabis. Doctors
can prescribe medical cannabis based on a medical prescription, and patients can obtain it from licensed pharmacies.
The sale of medicinal cannabis by doctors and in pharmacies is subject to supervision by the respective state
authorities. ( https://practiceguides.chambers.com/practice-guides/medical-cannabis-cannabinoid-regulation-
2024/germany?utm_source=chatgpt.com )

These frameworks ensure that medical cannabis is accessible to patients under the guidance of licensed healthcare
professionals and through regulated channels. HISTORY OF CANNABIS Hua Tuo's Use of Mafeisan: Hua Tuo, a Chinese
physician from the late Eastern Han dynasty, is credited with being the first recorded person to use cannabis as an
anesthetic. He created a preparation called mafeisan, which combined cannabis with wine, and administered it to
patients before surgery to induce anesthesia.
(https://www.stdaily.com/English/ChinaNews/202204/ad8f304440b448e0b4adbeb411c6dd3c.shtml?utm_source=
chatgpt.com)

Before the discovery of modern anesthesia, various natural substances were used to numb pain during medical
procedures, and cannabis was among them. Historical records show that as early as 2700 BCE, ancient Chinese medical
texts, such as the Pen Ts’ao Ching, documented the medicinal properties of cannabis, including its anesthetic effects.
One of the most notable figures in early anesthesia, Hua Tuo, a Chinese physician from the late Eastern Han dynasty, is
credited with creating mafeisan (麻沸散), a mixture of cannabis and wine, which he used to sedate patients before
performing surgery. This early use of cannabis as an anesthetic highlights its significant role in ancient medicine.
Similarly, other cultures, including ancient India and Egypt, recognized its pain-relieving properties. However, cannabis
was not as widely used for surgical anesthesia as opium and alcohol, which were considered stronger sedatives at the
time. With the advent of ether and chloroform in the 19th century, natural anesthetics like cannabis became less
common in medical practice. Despite this, historical evidence confirms that cannabis played a role in early pain
management and sedation, making it a relevant topic in discussions about traditional medicine and anesthesia.