Should Marijuana Be Legalized For People With Anxiety Disorders? Kailey Bush

Anxiety affects 40 million adults which is 18% of the population There are current medications available for treatment. However, many of the medications have bad side effects. One treatment that could be a possibility with fewer side effects is marijuana

Different types of anxiety… Social Anxiety Disorders Panic Disorders Generalized Anxiety Disorders (GAD) Obsessive – Compulsive Disorder Post – Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

One of the main forms of treatment for anxiety is medication Side Effects: Sexual Functioning Tiredness/Insomnia Weight Gain Dry Mouth Fatigue Nausea Dizziness Tremors

Damian was told by his doctors that he had anxiety and depression Damian Abraham Damian was told by his doctors that he had anxiety and depression

Doctors told Damian he would have to be on a mood- stabilizing medication Side effects were brutal.. Not being able to sleep at night but being tired all day Putting on a bunch of weight Sexual functioning

Because of the many side effects patients / doctors have sought out alternative treatment methods one of which is marijuana Side Effects: Drowsiness Dry Mouth Giddiness Hunger Short – term memory loss Uneasiness / anxiety

Effectiveness of marijuana Depends on variety, chemistry, dosage, the mind-set of the user and also the setting in which the marijuana is used. When smoking / taking to high of a dose of marijuana it could cause anxiety therefore monitoring the dosage is extremely important.

Damian Abraham Continued… Marijuana over Anxiety Medications: Side Effects were gone: Damian said, “I smoked weed and fount out that my anxiety stopped being an issue.” Began feeling less compelled to drink as much soda and eat as much fast food He was able to sleep at night His sexual side effects disappeared and he now has three children

Multiple other people have had a positive experience with marijuana However, arguments against legalizing marijuana for anxiety purposes have valid points.. To make sure people are safe and not abusing the prescription individuals will need to be monitored closely by their physicians Smoking is harmful for the body. However there are other options for ingestion such as pills.

Anxiety is a major issue in today’s world and it can be hard to treat with all of the side effects that come along with the different types of medications. Medical marijuana is an option with a lot fewer side effects and could end up helping a lot of individuals facing anxiety.

Works Cited Abraham, Damian. “Weed Saved My Life After a Decade on Anxiety Meds.” Vice, 22 Apr. 2016, www.vice.com/en_us/article/after-a-decade-of-anxiety-meds-weed-saved-my-life. Accessed 9 Apr. 2017. Abuse, National Institute on Drug. “Marijuana.” NIDA, Feb. 2017, www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana. Accessed 7 Apr. 2017. Backes, Michael. Cannabis Pharmacy The Practical Guide to Medical Marijuana. Workman Publishing Company, 2014. Cascade, Elisa, et al. “Real-World Data on SSRI Antidepressant Side Effects.” Psychiatry (Edgmont), Matrix Medical Communications, Feb. 2009, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2719451/. Accessed 7 Apr. 2017. “Dangerous Anxiety Medication Side Effects.” Dangerous Anxiety Medication Side Effects, www.calmclinic.com/anxiety/drugs/side-effects. Accessed 7 Apr. 2017. “Health Problems, Medical Marijuana, and Treatment in Pictures” Webmd.com. 23 May 2016. http://www.webmd.com/brain/ss/slideshow-medical-marijuana. 31 March 2017. “Lexapro: Drug Uses, Dosage, & Side Effects.” Drugs.com, Drugs.com, www.drugs.com/lexapro.html. Accessed 7 Apr. 2017.

Works Cited Continued… “Medical Marijuana.” Drug Policy Alliance, www.drugpolicy.org/medical-marijuana. Accessed 7 Apr. 2017. “Medication.” Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA, www.adaa.org/finding-help/treatment/medication. Accessed 7 Apr. 2017. “News and Articles.” Medical Marijuana Side Effects - Effects of Medical Marijuana, www.evaluationtoday.com/Medical_Marijuana_Side_Effects.html. Accessed 7 Apr. 2017. “Should Marijuana Be a Medical Option” Procon.org. 30 March 2017, http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org. 31 March 2017. “Types of Anxiety.” Beyondblue, 2016, www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/anxiety/types-of-anxiety. Accessed 7 Apr. 2017. Zimmerman, Bill Ph.D. Bayer, Rick M.D. Crumpacker, Nancy M.D. Is Marijuana The Right Medicine For You? A Factual Guide to Medical Uses of Marijuana. Keats Publishing Inc. 1998.