A key aspect in fully achieving the right to health care is the provision of access to medications. Access to medications is inextricably related with the values of equality, non-discrimination, and responsibility from a human rights perspective. However, this article will be discussing illegal drugs crimes as well the medical purposes of drugs. You will also learn how to obtain legal permission to use drugs for medical purposes.
Drug Laws and Drug Crimes
Over the past ten years, there has been a lot of focus on drug laws and drug-related offences. Drugs including marijuana, methamphetamine, ecstasy, cocaine, and heroin are among the drugs listed as controlled substances that are illegal to possess. They are also not meant to be produced, and sold under federal and state law.
It is easy to understand why lawmakers and enforcers give restricted substances so much attention. This is irrespective of the political debates surrounding the alleged “war on drugs.” According to estimates, drug and alcohol addiction costs society more than $110 billion annually. These expenses come in the form of unintentional deaths and injuries, medical expenses, dependency treatment and criminal activity.
The most frequent drug crime charge is possession of a controlled substance. This particularly happens when arrests are done in accordance with local drug legislation. Often, the government must establish the following in order to secure a possession conviction:
- knowingly and willfully held a prohibited substance
- in an amount suitable for personal usage or
- sale without a valid prescription.
Actual or “constructive” possession of a banned substance may be the basis for a possession charge. If the defendant had access to and control over the location where the narcotics were discovered they could still be charged with possession. This is irrespective of whether they had the drugs on them at the point of arrest.
With a DUI, the charge could mean that the driver was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A DUI lawyer is knowledgeable about the specific DUI laws that apply in the state where he operates.
His main responsibility is to inform his client of the charges, suggest the best course of action, and represent him in court. He also takes care of all the related administrative aspects.
Types of Illegal Drugs That Could Be Used in Medicine
Drugs have a wide range of impacts on the body, and some of those effects are actually medically useful. There has never been a clear distinction between prescription medication and illegal substances. A great deal of research investigating the possible medical benefits that several illegal drugs may have has been conducted over the last ten years.
Many researchers are looking into ways that these substances could be harnessed for good. This is as the debate over the legalisation of various drug substances rages on. These drugs are tagged illegal because they can be very harmful. These measures are taken to prevent susceptible people from self-harm and drug abuse.
There are illegal medications that have either been studied or are known to have medicinal uses. These medical uses include the treatment of chronic diseases and severe mental problems. They include:
- Cocaine
Although cocaine is a well-known stimulant, it has long been utilised as a topical anaesthetic in the Andean tribal cultures of South America. This is because of its numbing effects. Irritable bowel syndrome and other intestinal disorders are also treated with cocaine. The ability of cocaine to relieve headaches is perhaps its most well-known use. Until it was rendered illegal, it was a key component in making the Coca-cola soft drink.
- Heroin
According to a study conducted at Hannover Medical School, consuming little amounts of heroin helped opiate addicts. Typically those addicted to medications like Vicodin, Percocet, Oxycontin, or Demerol quit their habit after taking heroin. Heroin is frequently used to treat pain in hospitals, particularly in palliative care.
- Magic Mushrooms
They contain a psychedelic drug called psilocybin. Magic mushrooms produce kaleidoscopic images when ingested in modest doses. However, research indicates that magic mushrooms can be a useful treatment for persistent cluster headaches and obsessive-compulsive disorder. They can even help with sadness and anxiety.
- Ketamine
This medicine, also referred to as “Special K,” is frequently used to calm horses. At music festivals and raves, it’s also a popular choice among recreational drug users. However, a study discovered that ketamine can really help with the signs and symptoms of long-term depression. According to the study, the medicine promotes the development of brain synapses. Brain synapses is a neurological structure that makes it possible for chemical messages to go through your nervous system more readily and effectively. It increases your ability to react to your environment.
- MDMA
Ecstasy, E, X, eccy, and even disco cookies, are some other names for this substance. The substance creates a special burst of energy that makes users feel “warm and safe.” This could be the reason why research suggests it could be used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- LSD
This synthetic hallucinogen, has similar psychedelic effects on the body like magic mushrooms. It typically takes the shape of oral blotting papers. The medicine, however, might be a workable and successful alcoholism treatment. LSD prevents alcoholics from relapsing while they are in treatment, according to a Norwegian study.
- Cannabis
Chronic disease pain has long been known to be relieved by cannabis or marijuana. Additionally, marijuana eases PTSD symptoms and curbs nausea. It also helps lessen some glaucoma and Crohn’s disease symptoms. Products for the management of ailments like period pain are being made available to the public in U.S areas where this drug is legalised.
How to Legally Obtain Drugs for Medical Purposes
As previously mentioned, there are certain illicit drugs that are medicinal. Because these drugs are illegal, you’ll require legal permission to use them. Marijuana, for example, is an illegal drug approved for medical use in more than a dozen U. S states. Below is a succinct explanation on how to legally obtain it for medical use.
First Step: Check Your State Law
First thing to do is to check if Marijuana is legal in your state of residence. The Marijuana Policy group keeps an up to date, state by state guide to these laws.
Second Step: Research Its Uses
You should determine if medical marijuana might be of help to you. Glaucoma and diabetes are some of the conditions for which doctors have recommended medical marijuana. Doctors also recommend marijuana to help with multiple sclerosis and high blood pressure. More so, it is recommended to help cure nausea and stimulate the appetite of people undergoing chemotherapy. It is also useful for those undergoing AIDS treatment.
Third Step: Evaluate the Risk
Before obtaining marijuana, you should evaluate the risk it could pose. Like Tobacco cigarettes, marijuana joints contain tar and other chemicals that expose you to the risks of respiratory illnesses. You should ask your doctor about the use of a cannabis vaporizer. Studies have shown that it may help alleviate the respiratory hazards of marijuana smoking.
Fourth Step: Speak to Your Doctor
Contact your doctor for a letter of recommendation. This should be after deciding that medical marijuana might be right for you.
However, you should note that different states dictate the conditions for which a physician may approve medical marijuana.
Fifth Step: Apply to the State
Apply to your state department of health for permission to use medical marijuana. You can contact them for the appropriate application if that is required where you live. You can employ the services of a drug law attorney to help with the legal intricacies.
Sixth Step: Get or Grow Your Own Marijuana
If you are permitted to use medical marijuana, how you get it is dependent on where you live. Some states allow the cultivation of a limited amount of marijuana plants. Others on the other hand will refer you to special dispensaries to purchase it. One should also note that it is illegal to carry marijuana across state lines.
Seventh Step: Ask About Marinol
You might not be comfortable with smoking marijuana. Worse still, marijuana might not even be legal where you live. This is not a problem as Marinol is a good alternative.
Marinol is an FDA-Approved pill. It contains a synthetic form of the therapeutic chemicals found in marijuana . You should ask your physician about Marinol and get approval. It is legal in all states of the U. S and is also covered by insurance.
Conclusion
The use of cannabis as a therapy for any illness has not received FDA approval in the United States. However, the FDA has authorised the use of the cannabinoids dronabinol and cannabidiol (Epidiolex).
Cannabidiol can be used to treat severe epilepsy. Dronabinol can be used to treat anorexia in AIDS patients. They are also used to help nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy. However, we have to note that marijuana comes in a variety of forms. They include: pills, dried leaves, liquid, oil and powder. The quickest effect from marijuana occurs with the inhalation of its vaporised form while the slowest effect occurs with the use of pills.
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