Should we support the use of marijuana for medical purposes or not? Name: Institution: Instructor: Date: Should we support the use of marijuana for medical purposes or not? Abstract The use of marijuana for medical reasons to alleviate chronic pain is a controversial issue. While some researchers contend that marijuana is a harmful drug and should not be used for medical purposes, others argue that with proper legislation and control, it is possible to use the drug to help patients overcome several medical problems that cause them pain and discomfort. This paper assesses both perspectives detailing the merit and demerits of each. It advances the idea that legislation would help and protect healthcare providers to use the drug to ease the pain that some patients experience. The paper contends that healthcare workers should be empowered with knowledge on how to administer marijuana for medical purposes. If the use of this drug is regulated primarily for medical purposes, the implications would result in health benefits. This position paper recognizes that if marijuana is misused, it can have disastrous consequences and therefore holds the view that legislation to govern the use of the drug should be comprehensive enough to detail harsh deterrent measures against the misuse of the drug because such a misuse would be harmful to users. Key words: Marijuana, medical purposes, leg...