this essay is 91% ai generated, rewrite/paraphrase it to make it 0% in gptzero website.

attached document and the result from gptzero site.

Requirements: one page. Guarding Against Risks: Why Medical Marijuana Should Not Be Legalized in the Philippines

Medical marijuana, while classified as illegal under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 in the Philippines, has sparked legislative discussions regarding its potential medical applications. Despite being deemed a dangerous drug similar to shabu and cocaine, efforts such as the Medical Compassionate Use of Cannabis Act aim to establish a framework for regulated medical use, citing scientific studies suggesting benefits for conditions like epilepsy, chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, side effects of chemotherapy, and certain mental health conditions like Alzheimer’s (Verma et al., 2021).

However, amidst the discourse surrounding its potential benefits, there are valid concerns about the legalization of medical marijuana and its potential ramifications for public health and safety. First, the active ingredients tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are purportedly beneficial for chronic diseases; however, chronic use of the drug can lead to alterations in brain structure, potential abuse, addiction, and compromised respiratory and immune systems (Zehra et al, 2018). Second, the Philippines has a history of drug abuse and addiction problems, and legalizing medical marijuana could exacerbate these issues by making the drug more easily accessible to the general population. Additionally, cultivation and production of medical marijuana incur significant expenses, with added tax burdens potentially impacting Filipino citizens (Respicio, 2024). Introducing such costs amid economic challenges could further complicate the feasibility of legalization.

Furthermore, the medical marijuana industry is still largely unregulated, and there is a lack of proper oversight and quality control measures in place. This could lead to the proliferation of substandard and potentially harmful products in the market, putting patients at risk of adverse health effects (Kahan et al., 2019). In a country like the Philippines, where the healthcare system is already struggling to meet the needs of its citizens, the introduction of medical marijuana could place additional strain and resources on an already burdened system.

In conclusion, while the arguments for legalizing medical marijuana in the Philippines are compelling, I believe that the potential risks and negative consequences outweigh any potential benefits. It is crucial for policymakers to carefully consider the impact of such a decision on society as a whole and to prioritize the health and well-being of the population over any perceived advantages. Ultimately, the focus should be on finding alternative, evidence-based solutions to address medical needs and alleviate suffering without resorting to the legalization of potentially harmful substances.

References

Kahan, M., Srivastava, A., & Clarke, S. (2019). Cannabis industry and medical cannabis clinics need regulation. Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien, 65(12), 864–868.

Lasco, G., & Yarcia, L. E. (2022). The Politics of Drug Rehabilitation in the Philippines. Health and human rights, 24(1), 147–158.

Respicio, H. (2024, April 12). Medical marijuana Philippines. RESPICIO & CO. https://www.respicio.ph/commentaries/medical-marijuana-philippines

Verma, R., Hoda, F., Arshad, M., Iqubal, A., Siddiqui, A. N., Khan, M. A., Haque, S. E., Akhtar, M., & Najmi, A. K. (2021). Cannabis, a Miracle Drug with Polyvalent Therapeutic Utility: Preclinical and Clinical-Based Evidence. Medical cannabis and cannabinoids, 4(1), 43–60. https://doi.org/10.1159/000515042

Zehra, A., Burns, J., Liu, C. K., Manza, P., Wiers, C. E., Volkow, N. D., & Wang, G. J. (2018). Cannabis Addiction and the Brain: a Review. Journal of neuroimmune pharmacology : the official journal of the Society on NeuroImmune Pharmacology, 13(4), 438–452. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11481-018-9782-9