Marijuana is illegal in fifty states because of it's classification as an illicit drug, but controversial issues have been established that this "illicit drug" has improved the course of treatment for suffering patients in such illnesses as Glaucoma, Anorexia, and Cancer. Though studies show that it is proven to help relive pain of these particular illnesses it also has it's downfalls. Marijuana is harsh to the lungs because in order for it's effect to work it must be inhaled. In the book Cannabis in Medical Practice by Mary Lynn Marthre E.D. exhibits how medicine uses of marijuana can help life threatening illnesses to help relieve pain. In the article "Medicine or Not, Pot still Called Risky" by Carl T. Hall on the other hand describes how even though it helps relieve the pain of major illnesses it also is harmful to the lungs and brain and is not safe. In Marthre's book her rhetorical criteria depends on appeal of scientific authority as well as vivid imagery; Halls artic!

le however, focuses on sarcastic tone and as well as scientific authority.

In the book Cannabis in Medical Practice the author exemplifies scientific authority by describing the research that was done to show that

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Randall, Robert C. "Glaucoma: A Patient's View." Cannabis in Medical Practice .

In addition, Hall also uses scientific authority to explain what he knows by describing certain trials or study's to prove that it is a risk factor. For example, Hall explains, "Marijuana effects on the lungs are about as sever as those of smoking cigarettes, that smoking two or three joints a day can be as deterious as 10-20 cigarettes."(Hall 2) Hall talks about a study he is using in his article which another authority has researched. It's still harmful to the lungs and can cause illness due to inhalation. He is trying to point out to the audience that smoking pot is still a risk factor and needs research in order for it to be a legal medicine. The author also wants to show it's effect on the mind. the study which was done early in 2000 which was published in "The Journal of the American Medicine" said, "we found signs of impaired cognitive skills in heavy pot smokers even after at least 19 hours of enforced abstinence."(hall 3) This is letting the reader know that study's !

Hall, Carl T. "Medicine or Not, Pot Still Called Risky": San Francisco Examiner Aug. 22 1996, pp. 1+ pages 1-4.

Ed. Mary Lynn Mathre. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland and Company, 1997.

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1007
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)