Riding the High of Legalization:
A Trend Analysis on the Increase in Legalization and Usage of Medical Marijuana
Lead
Ethan Ruby was struck by a vehicle on a city street in Manhattan. As a result of the life-changing accident, Ruby lives with paraplegia and utilizes medical cannabis to cope with PTSD and to manage physical pain onset by the accident. In addition, he is now a CEO of a medical marijuana distribution center in Connecticut called Theraplant (Braunstein). Many stories, like his, promoting the usage of medical marijuana are beginning to appear nationwide across Facebook timelines, news broadcasts, and personal blogs. These stories of young children and adults like Ruby who have struggled to find medication to effectively treat illnesses like cancer, seizures, and even autism stir controversy over a possible solution and a schedule one substance: marijuana.
These conversations throughout mediums across America have encouraged a new, supportive opinion over marijuana. This movement is an apparent trend of an increase in legalization, acceptance, and usage of medical marijuana as a medical practice.
Medical marijuana is scientifically called Cannabis sativa and has been used to treat human ailments since its discovery. According to Mayo Clinic Proceedings, it is the most commonly used illicit drug, but it is also used to treat seizures; eliminate pain from arthritis, migraines, and cancer therapy; and to assist in symptom control for patients with autism (Botswick).
Although marijuana has been used throughout history for a variety of reasons, its history in America has been incredibly controversial. Various historians and medical practitioners have published articles about its rocky background, including Dr. Elizabeth McGhee. From her understanding: medical marijuana has been illegal since 1937; was categorized a schedule one controlled substance in 1970, granting the drug no medical value; began to be used as medical treatment in 1996 in California; and as of 2015, was legal in 25 states. Over the course of the last twenty years, the drug’s medical use has gained momentum. It has become an acceptable treatment in over half of America; however, it is still classified as a schedule one controlled substance (pgs. 1-4).
Proof of Trend
The movement towards legalization since 1999 can be represented by public opinion regarding the drug. In a survey conducted by Gallup Polls on October 19th, 2016, 60% of Americans support medical marijuana legalization, up 14% from 2010 (Gallup). In addition to public polling, this trend is also represented in the stock market. At the end of September 2016, some stocks even saw share price increase by 1,600% (cited in Chang). According to Michael Berger, an analyst of cannabis stocks, “Although the results of the election will be a turning point for the legal cannabis industry, we are only in the first inning of what will be a multi-decade growth cycle” (qtd. in Chang). These major increases directly point to supply and demand. As more states legalize the drug, more patients are opting to use it, thereby increasing its value.
Medical marijuana is a growing industry supported by public opinion. The movement to legalize and make medical marijuana accessible is caused by emotional appeal onset by an increasing amount of users publicly announcing experiences; new public research about its effectiveness; a rise in opioid addiction; and most importantly, an opportunity for jobs and a new industry.
Causes
As a consumer who observes public media, it is considerably noticeable that individuals have published persuasion-based articles to convince non-users of medical marijuana of its effectiveness without citing scientific research. Stories of people like Dr. George Wagoner who support medical marijuana because of personal experiences, fill the gaps in scientific query by appealing to public emotion about heartbreaking stories. As an obstetrician, when his wife struggled from cervical cancer and found herself losing too much weight to live a normal life, he opted to try a new medicine that he had researched in the past; marijuana. In an article published by Minnesotans for Compassionate Care, Wagoner stated “I support the medical use of marijuana by sick people, and I urge all of my colleagues to join me. [...] For patients on fixed incomes, who can’t afford $46 pills, medical marijuana is a more affordable alternative” (“Testimony”). In Colorado, one gram, which equals approximately three servings/doses of edibles, costs $24.99 (Orens). Wagoner and others like him are bringing stories of individuals who are using medical marijuana to the center stage, causing nonusers to recognize its impact on various illnesses as well as question the economic viability of the drug.
Additionally, news networks, such as Minnesota’s Fox Nine, have shown their support and effort towards legalization by sharing stories in articles that drive emotional appeal to consumers. Randy Meier, a journalist at Fox Nine News, wrote an article stating “The consideration [to legalize marijuana for more conditions] carries with it a lot of emotion for families looking for something to help their loved ones with a condition where so little is known” (“Children”). Journalists have realized the importance of public appeal through emotional support and have implemented stories that persuade the majority to support a small group of individuals who need marijuana to manage their conditions. As a result of their publications, a larger population of individuals are confronted with the effects of marijuana encouraging them to establish an opinion on its legalization.
Plausibly, the change in public opinion over medical marijuana is not only caused by journalistic publication, but it is also supplemented by new research opportunities appearing at the federal level. The National Institute on Drug Abuse stated “In August [2016], the DEA announced it will allow additional growers to register with them to produce and distribute marijuana for research purposes.” This is the first time an institution or company, besides the University of Mississippi, has received legal, federal research capabilities about cannabis since 1970 (“NIDA’s”). This research designed to unbiasedly research medical marijuana will allow individuals and politicians to make an informed decision on whether or not cannabis should be legalized at the federal level. If the results of the new research topics support medical marijuana as recently published studies are showing, it is likely that even more individuals, politicians included, will side with its legalization.
This movement for the NIH to recognize positive effects of marijuana is further exemplified following a request they issued in 2015. Arcview Market Research and the New Frontier observes that “In 2015 the NIH announced a request for research proposals to explore the therapeutic potential for cannabis to treat pain” (“The State”). After an evaluation of this data and the changing guidelines for research, it is obvious that the amount of funding and, in general, the topics of research are beginning to change and will continue to evolve in the future. Researchers studying the positive effects of medical marijuana should be able to see larger opportunities through grants and government support in the near future, allowing more patients to be involved in studies and an increased amount of data available.
In addition to new research about marijuana’s effectiveness to treat pain, it is important to evaluate its effect on drug abuse in America and how this has encouraged voters to support it. Research conducted by Dr. Daniel Clauw at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor who has done extensive research on opioids, evaluated the effect that marijuana has on opioid (popularly prescribed painkillers) addiction in America, and the results are promising. He analyzed 185 chronic pain patients, of which 118 reported using opioids to manage their pain. From their study, they found that 64% of new cannabis users reduced or halted their opioid consumption (Boehnke). Their study was further exemplified by a similar experiment conducted in Israel. According to Boehnke, “The results of the Israeli study were consistent with ours – chronic pain patients had reduced pain severity, their pain interfered less with their daily lives, and 44% of those on opioids had discontinued their opioid use (the rest had decreased their opioid dose)” (4).
Opioid addiction is a problem in the medical industry, and it is exemplified by the frequency of overdoses from the drug, especially when compared to marijuana. In an interview with Colin Kelly the Chief Operating Officer of LeaflineLabs, opioids’ addictiveness was exemplified and its effectiveness was undermined. Kelly said, “1 out of every 38 people using opiates for management of chronic pain will overdose by taking their prescribed amount.” Later he went on to state “Cannabis would have to be injected at a rate of 1,500 lbs per 200lb patient in a period of 12 minutes [to be lethal]; physically impossible.” This information suggests that because addictive opioids have continued to be a prevalent issue in America, it is probable that this research has led to more physicians supporting and recommending marijuana to their patients over opioids.
Physicians are becoming more supportive over utilizing marijuana as a treatment. A survey published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2013 claimed that over 75% of physicians supported medical marijuana. The researchers suggested, “We were surprised by the outcome of polling and comments, with 76 percent of all votes in favor of the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes - even though marijuana use is illegal in most countries” (Adler). Medical practitioners are supporting the use of marijuana at a rate that nearly mirrors public support probably due to an influx in marijuana research. In addition, because of the increase in prescriptions, there are more users, which is likely increasing the number of supporters.
In states like Colorado who have already legalized marijuana, it is plausible that the increase in budget caused by the market for it, has encouraged individuals to support its legalization over anything else. The Marijuana Policy Group prepared a report for the Colorado Department of Revenue which summarized the key points and changes in Colorado’s marijuana industry. First off, they began by introducing supply and demand; the key factor in growth of an industry. They suggest “In general, (...) marijuana use has risen steadily between 2004/2005 and 2009/2010. (...)[the growth] outpaces population growth and indicates rising prevalence rates” (Light). In addition, The Marijuana Policy Group predicted that in Colorado alone, 55 tons of marijuana will be utilized by patients in the state. From this, the total profitability of the market, including recreational marijuana, which will require 22.3 tons of marijuana, will amount to $43,105,862 (Light). In our current economic state in America, it is likely that medical marijuana is a source of hope for many Americans; this industry is an outlet for jobs and an increase in budget to be used towards various improvements at the state level.
As with any valued market, much of this industry is taxed. Medical marijuana is taxed 2.9% at the state level in Colorado with an additional 10% tax on retail marijuana sales. The first $40 million of tax revenue is used to fund education in Colorado and the rest is used at the discretion of the state (“Marijuana”). Kelly added that the economic influence is probably the greatest factor in the industry's growth. “Laws will continue to change where there is economic benefit, and where science and health benefits closely mirror what can be represented in the current healthcare ecosystem (it has to be worth the money; and should look and sound like modern medicine).” Voters are recognizing that legalization does more than support a handful of medical users, but that it has the potential to impact younger generations and the general public of each state. This mindset is accelerating the acceptance of medical marijuana.
Effects
Medical marijuana is changing the way people with various illnesses live. Based on research conducted by the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, marijuana has the potential to eliminate the opioid epidemic by decreasing the amount of prescriptions of highly addictive painkillers (Boehnke). It is plausible that because of support through new government funded research projects, we will likely see revised laws which will allow for others to receive marijuana as a medical treatment. As Kelly put it, “Cannabis has become a non-partisan topic. We can see it helping children, soccer moms, our veterans, and seniors. (...) [In 2017,] there will be 50+ more US Representatives who now represent a district where cannabis is legal. A tipping point of economics and political influence is approaching.”
As the trend moves onward, the industry will continue to see growth due to supply and demand. This increase will affect communities in which medical marijuana is legal by increasing the available budget by heavily taxing marijuana, as it already has in Colorado, California, and various other states (“Marijuana”). Additionally, it is likely this movement will appear on a federal scale.
In order for this change to happen, first there must be an increase in knowledge of the positive effects of medical marijuana produced by companies supported by the NIH. This shift is occurring due to changes in budgeting at the DEA and through NIDA (“NIDA’s”). If the results of the new research promote a change in class of marijuana to a schedule two substance, meaning it has some medical value, federal acceptance of the drug will most likely be achieved more quickly. In addition, the 24% of physicians who would not recommend medical marijuana as a treatment to their patients may have a new opinion (Adler).
The movement to legalize medical marijuana has accelerated throughout the past twenty years, and will likely continue to grow. Individuals are influenced by compelling stories of the drugs’ success that is beginning to be backed by scientific research, the hope to eliminate highly addictive and deadly opioids, and to add revenue to budgets at the state and federal level.
Annotated Bibliography
Leighton McAlpin
12/18/2016
Primary Sources:
Kelly, Colin. “Medical Marijuana with Collin Kelly.” 12 Dec. 2016.
I conducted an email interview with the Chief Operating Officer at “LeaflineLabs” - a medical
Marijuana distributor in Minnesota. This interview reinstated views I had read about previously and strengthened both my causal analysis and effects of my trend analysis.
Secondary Sources:
Adler, Jonathan, and James Colbert. “Medicinal Use of Marijuana - Polling Results — NEJM.” New
England Journal of Medicine, Massachusetts Medical Society, 30 May 2013, www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMclde1305159. Accessed 12 Dec. 2016.
This scholarly journal article gave insight to physician support for medical marijuana. It allowed me to state percentages of physicians who support and would recommend the drug to patients.
Botswick, Michael J. “Blurred Boundaries: The Therapeutics and Politics of Medical Marijuana.”
Mayo Clinic Proceedings, vol. 87, no. 2, Feb. 2012, pp. 172–186. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2011.10.003.
This scholarly article provided evidence of medical marijuana's effectiveness which provides factual information to establish a basis of terms and an understanding of its appeal to consumers. In my paper, this source was used to assess the value of the drug and its effectiveness in its usage today.
Boehnke, Kevin. “Cannabis: Legal as Medicine, a Struggle to Study Critically.” Thought and Awe,
7 June 2016, www.thoughtandawe.net/public-health/cannabis-legal-as-medicine-a-struggle-to-study-clinically. Accessed 12 Dec. 2016.
This online site created by a researcher at University of Michigan Ann Arbor who published a study about opioids and cannabis which I used to prove the movement towards acceptance was impacted by opioid addiction.
Braunstein, Mark. “Medical Marijuana 2.0 - Stirring the Pot” New Mobility,
http://web.a.ebscohost.com/Legacy/Views/static/html/Error.htm?aspxerrorpath=/ehpl/pdfviewer/pdfviewer. Accessed 12 Dec. 2016.
This scholarly article found on EBSCO Host provided my lead for my paper. I found information about an individual important to the industry.
Chang, Ellen. “Nasdaq Cannabis Stocks Rally After Recreational and Medical Use Passes.”
TheStreet, TheStreet Inc., 9 Nov. 2016, Accessed 25 Nov. 2016. www.thestreet.com/story/13887089/1/nasdaq-cannabis-stocks-rally-after-recreational-and-medical-use-passes.html.
This online article from TheStreet was used to prove that the trend towards marijuana legalization exists and to show that a cause of the movement towards marijuana legalization is in part due to its economic effects. Information from this sourced was used to prove my trend by the value of stocks.
Chesler, Jayson, and News21 Alexa Ard. “Feds Limit Research on Marijuana for Medical Use.” USA
Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 18 Aug. 2015, www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/08/18/feds-limit-research-marijuana-medical-use/31547557. Accessed 1 Dec. 2016.
This online article by USA Today clarified and supported information through a media outlet about the NIH's article about medical marijuana research.
Gallup, Inc. “Results.” Gallup.Com - Daily News, Polls, Public Opinion on Politics, Economy, Wellbeing,
and World, Gallup, Inc., 16 Nov. 2016, www.gallup.com/Search/Default.aspx?s=&p=1&q=medical%2Bmarijuana&b=Go . Accessed 12 Dec. 2016.
This poll produced by Gallup Polls provided insight to public opinion of medical marijuana that I cited multiple times in my paper.
Light, Miles K et al. “Market Size and Demand for Marijuana in Colorado.” MARKET SIZE AND
DEMAND FOR MARIJUANA IN COLORADO, www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/Market%20Size%20and%20Demand%20Study,%20July%209,%202014%5B1%5D.pdf. Accessed 1 Dec. 2016.
This scholarly outline of markets in Colorado provided me with comprehensive insight into the cannabis industry in Colorado. Although it addressed both medical and recreational marijuana, it provided information regarding the market size of the industry.
“Marijuana Tax Data.” Marijuana Tax Data | Department of Revenue, State of Colorado,
www.colorado.gov/pacific/revenue/colorado-marijuana-tax-data. Accessed 1 Dec. 2016.
This online source published by the Department of Revenue in Colorado provided support for a possible cause to why citizens are interested in medical marijuana, that being taxable income used for education and state supported projects.
McGhee, Elizabeth Marie. “Medical Marijuana.” Explora Public Libraries,
Salem Press Encyclopedia of Health, Jan. 2015.
web.a.ebscohost.com/ehpl/detail/detail?sid=d4fcfebe-1a77-4000-8987-fa2feb26321e%40sessionmgr4006&vid=2&hid=4001&bdata=#AN=94415462&db=tol. Accessed 1 Dec. 2016.
This scholarly article was used to provide background for the history of medical marijuana and to assist in understanding its effects on the user. It was used in my introduction to clarify terms and in my proof of trend to lay out basic information about its history.
Meier, Randy. “Children with Autism Could Soon Be Prescribed Medical
Marijuana.” Fox 9 News, KMSP, www.fox9.com/health/209275506-story. Accessed 12 Dec. 2016.
This popular article was used to prove that journalists and reporters are publishing about effects of marijuana, influencing public opinion.
“NIDA's Role in Providing Marijuana for Research.” National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National
Institute on Drug Abuse, 11 Aug. 2016, www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/marijuana/nidas-role-in-providing-marijuana-research. Accessed 1 Dec. 2016.
This online article published by NIDA made a compelling statement about the transition towards government funded programs supporting medical marijuana as a treatment through providing more funding for positive based research.
Orens, Adam et al. “Marijuana Equivalency in Portion and Dosage.” Marijuana Equivalency in Portion
and Dosage, 10 Aug. 2015,
www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/MED%20Equivalency_Final%2008102015.pdf.
Accessed 12 Dec. 2016.
This online PDF file found on Colorado’s Department of Revenue’s website, I was able to evaluate the price difference between opioids and marijuana.
“Testimony of Dr. George Wagoner - Minnesotans for Compassionate Care.” Minnesotans for
Compassionate Care, Minnesotans for Compassionate Care, 2013, www.mncares.org/testimony-of-dr-george-wagoner/. Accessed 1 Dec. 2016.
This online source was used at the beginning of my paper to pose a compelling story about a medical marijuana user who saw benefits from the drug.
“The State of Legal Marijuana Markets.” Arcview Market Research
static1.squarespace.com/static/526ec118e4b06297128d29a9/t/56f21ed59f7266ee27800d7b/1458708198877/Executive+Summary+-+The+State+of+Legal+Marijuana+Markets+-+4th+Edition.pdf.
Accessed 12 Dec. 2016.
This online PDF file published by market researchers allowed me to evaluate the overall industry of medical marijuana market value/growth predictions.
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