For decades, Americans have been relying on the pharmaceutical industry to provide relief for their ailments; however, the rising legality of medical marijuana is changing this for many of them. Mainstream medications not only have serious potential for addiction, but they are also ineffective for many people. Patients often end up taking a plethora of pills that produce more side effects than benefits. Cannabis is cheaper, more widely available, and tends to be more trusted by patients throughout the country in comparison to pharmaceutical drugs. Medical marijuana is a more effective solution for treating certain illnesses when compared to modern medicine, and patients themselves have supported this claim.
Patients use cannabis medicinally to treat a wide range of issues including depression, chronic pain, AIDS, anxiety, PTSD, addiction, and insomnia. Humans have been using marijuana in a medical sense for over 5,000 years, and it was an accepted treatment in the United States from the early nineteenth century until it was criminalized in 1937 under the Marijuana Tax Act, despite opposition from the American Medical Association (Mercurio et al.). The medicinal properties of marijuana were largely replaced by vaccines and synthetic pharmaceuticals.
According to Mercurio et al., “Opioids are currently the most commonly prescribed drug for chronic pain in the United States, accounting for approximately 259 million prescriptions countrywide.” Prescribing opioids at such a large scale puts patients at risk of addiction, misuse, and overdose. Over the past two decades, opioid misuse and addiction has become an epidemic, with widespread availability being a major contributor. A 2014 study found that states where medical marijuana was legalized saw a significant decrease in opioid overdose deaths (Bachhuber et al.). The study also found a 64% decrease in overall opioid use. In addition, medical cannabis patients reported improved quality of life and fewer side effects compared to traditional medications.
Concerns are often raised about marijuana’s potential for addiction; however, marijuana is generally considered non-addictive. While it may be habit-forming in some cases, it is significantly less dangerous than opioids, which carry a high risk of addiction and potentially fatal withdrawal symptoms.
Aside from safety, many patients also report that medical marijuana is more effective than pharmaceutical treatments for mental health conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Psychiatric medications like SSRIs and antipsychotics often cause side effects such as brain fog or emotional numbing rather than true symptom relief. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, SSRIs have a 30–40% success rate (Asberg), while medical marijuana users report a 70.6% treatment success rate (Bar-Lev Schleider et al.).
A study by Kruger and Kruger found that 44% of medical cannabis users stopped taking a pharmaceutical drug after starting cannabis, and 38% reduced their usage. Patients also reported higher trust in medical marijuana due to factors such as effectiveness, safety, fewer side effects, accessibility, and cost. While critics argue that there is insufficient research on medical cannabis, patient-reported studies consistently show strong perceived benefits compared to traditional medications.
As prescription drug shortages continue to become a significant issue in the United States, medical marijuana is also viewed as a more practical and widely available alternative. According to CNN, many hospital pharmacists report that drug shortages are now impacting patient care, with nearly a third describing the effects as critical (McPhillips). The U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs has also acknowledged the risks associated with these shortages, including rationing and treatment changes.
Cannabis, as a plant-based substance, is less likely to face shortages compared to manufactured pharmaceuticals. Additionally, because marijuana is not associated with life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the same way as many prescription drugs, shortages would not carry the same level of medical risk for most patients.
In conclusion, medical marijuana is presented as a more rational and effective alternative to many mainstream treatment methods. As drug shortages continue and patient dissatisfaction with pharmaceuticals increases, more individuals are turning to cannabis as a primary form of treatment. Patients and some medical professionals alike have supported its effectiveness, safety, and practicality. The question remains not whether cannabis has a place in medicine, but how widely it should be integrated.
Asberg, Montgomery. “Depression Treatment After Unsatisfactory Response to SSRIs.” Effective Health Care (EHC) Program, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), 15 June 2015.
Bachhuber, Marcus A., et al. “Medical Cannabis Laws and Opioid Analgesic Overdose Mortality in the United States, 1999–2010.” JAMA Internal Medicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 17 Oct. 2014, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4392651/.
Kruger, Daniel J., and Jessica S. Kruger. “Medical Marijuana Users’ Comparisons Between Medical Marijuana and Mainstream Medicine.” Journal of Psychiatric Drugs, vol. 51, 2018.
Mercurio, Alana, et al. “Marijuana as a Substitute for Prescription Medications: A Qualitative Study.” Substance Use & Misuse, 10 June 2019, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6625880/.
Wadley, Jared. “Many Users Prefer Medical Marijuana over Prescription Drugs.” University of Michigan News, 14 Jan. 2019, https://news.umich.edu/many-users-prefer-medical-marijuana-over-prescription-drugs/.