Marijuana as medicine-concept map

Marijuana as medicine-proposed search/research strategies

Types of bibliographic sources that would be most suitable in my research would be:

• Encyclopaedias
• Books
• Online periodical databases

I have selected these types of bibliographic resources as they would be most relevant/ reliable sources to find information for my topic.

Tools that would be useful in finding relevant information for my topic:

• TAFE Library  catalogue
• Online databases-access from home through State Library NSW

Subject headings and keywords to use in my search:

LCSH

·         Marijuana

·         Marijuana abuse

·         Marijuana and health- research conference

·         Cannabis

·         Cannabis- social aspects

·         Cannabis-law and legislation-Australia

Victoria online Thesaurus:

·         Marijuana - Illicit drugs

ANZRC -Subjects

• Marijuana related terms: cannabis
• Controled drugs
• Drug legalization
• Drugs of abuse
• Hashish
• Marijuana-law and legislation
• Marijuana abuse

Types of searches I would undertake:

• Use search engines
• Use online periodical databases
• Using TAFE library catalogue to search for books and textbooks
• Use LCSH, ANZRC and other thesaurus terms
• Will also use terms: medical marijuana, therapeutic use etc.
• Will limit my search by: full text, academic journals, peer reviewed

Marijuana as medicine-research question

Today, many believe that marijuana can relieve nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite in patients with cancer and Aids.
Although there is some research evidence about cannabis usefulness to alleviate pain in some patients, further research is needed to examine the benefits of cannabis for these illnesses.

Research question-original

There is evidence to suggest that people who use marijuana on regular basis may become depended on it. However many other drugs that are prescribed to patients are even greater risks for addiction, and if patients are chronically ill this risk is worth taking for pain relief.

Research question-modified

If legalized in Australia, Medical marijuana provides more benefits than risks to chronically ill patients.

Marijuana as medicine-overview of the topic

Marijuana is a drug made from the dried leaves and the flowering tops of the plant. People usually smoke it as in cigarettes or pipes and can be added in food and drinks. When smoked marijuana produces chemicals that have immediate or short term effects. Studies have shown that regular users of marijuana can develop serious health problems such as: short term memory, coughing, chest pain, reduced fertility, cancer, lung cancer- smoke contains cancer causing substance.

Cannabis has been used for thousands of years in medicine mainly as anti-inflammatory, pain killer and antidepressant. Marijuana is known to have negative effects on human body, there is intense debate about the use of marijuana for medical treatments.
Today, many believe that marijuana should be legalized for medical use as its use can relieve nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite in patients with cancer and Aids, while others believe that marijuanas's negative effects outweigh its benefits.
Although there is some research evidence about cannabis usefulness to alleviate pain in some patients,  further research is needed to examine the benefits of cannabis for these illnesses.

There is evidence to suggest that people who use marijuana on regular basis may become depended on it. However many other drugs that are prescribed to patients are even greater risks for addiction, and if patients are chronically ill this risk is worth taking for pain relief.

Bibliography:

• Healey, J.(ed.).(2003) Marijuana use. The Spinney Press, Rozele N.S.W.
• Wikipedia(2011) Medical cannabis.[internet] Available athttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical%20cannabis.. Accessed 12/09/2011.
• The World Book Encyclopedia (2007) Marijuana, Vol. 13, pp. 201-202.