Glucksman 1

Thomas Glucksman
Dr. Guenzel
ENC 1102
27 May 2014
Research Dossier: Medical Marijuana as Treatment for Depression
Dossier Introduction
When deciding to research about medical marijuana I wanted to question whether
or not it is an effective treatment plan for patients suffering depression. Being a
psychology major inclined me to research this topic. I have interest in continuing to
become a psychiatrist and predict that I will have to deal with many patients who are
afflicted with this disease. If I could gain a better understanding of the topic now it may
shape how I prescribe medication in the future. So far I have concluded that depression is
a very common mental disease that most everyone suffers from at least one point in his or
her life. If there were a better and more holistic approach to control depression in patients
than current methods it would be a break through in the treatment plan of this disease.
My research will allow for a better understanding of depression in relation to medical
marijuana use and test its effectiveness as a treatment option.
After analyzing and reviewing research so far the topic provides many conflicting
opinions. I had to explore the causes, symptoms and complexity of depression to gain a
better understanding. Without the base knowledge of the disease continuing with my
research would be more difficult. The symptoms or easily spotted behaviors of
depression can be characterized when people around you become more home-locked,
unresponsive and have an overall disinterest in the few activities theyre engaged in.
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Since depression is categorized as a mental disease and THC, the most active component
in cannabis, affects the brain, there must be a relation between the usage of marijuana and
patients outcome. In addition, I need to look at the legal system based around medical
marijuana laws. Likewise for understanding depression I need to explore the current laws
and bills that stand around medical cannabis not only in my state of Florida but the
United States as a whole. What I find very interesting is how each state has the option to
make their individual laws around medical marijuana rather than being in the hands of the
Federal Government. In recent months Florida adopted a restricted medical marijuana bill
that is still being alerted into a more satisfactory bill for the state government. It limits
what patients may be administered medical marijuana to those suffering epileptic seizures
or other extreme mental disorders. The bill also restrains the patients to a specific non-
euphoric strain of marijuana.
So far in my research the sources I found most relevant and informative were
clustered into background sections in my Digital Paper Trail. They have given me the
basis knowledge to create an argument towards medical marijuanas legitimacy and
background information explaining depression and current legal standings. After my
research and analysis is completed a better understanding of marijuana in relation to
depression can be concluded. This can be used to fill the gap in the constant conversation
around this daily-discussed topic. This research will be beneficial to my audience
interested in learning more about depression, medical marijuana, the current laws
surrounding the subject and how cannabis may be used to help patients struggling with
depression. Even though this research may be directed towards my immediate peers it can
affect the mindset of anyone who ponders the legitimacy of marijuana as a treatment
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option for not only patients suffering depression but applying it to the entire spectrum of
diseases and disorders that marijuana has been used to treat in recent years.





















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Research Map
Research Question/Thesis: The constant debate of legalizing marijuana for medicinal
use prompts me to evaluate its effectiveness as a treatment plan for patients suffering
depression and whether or not it deserves legalization.
Internet Research/Library Research: Library (book, journal & article) 5; Internet 5
Keywords:
Medical marijuana OR Medical cannabis
Treatment for depression
NOT marijuana dependency
Depression
Effectiveness
Medical marijuana laws

Timetable:
Mon Tue Wed Thu
5/19: Begin dossier

Research map due
5/20: Class in
library
5/21: TBA 5/22: No class
5/26: No class

Memorial day
5/27: Research

Return from New
York
5/28: Research

Dossier draft due
(peer-review)
5/29: Research

Dossier final due
6/2: Continue
research & begin
drafting
6/3: Research

Outline rhetorical
analysis
6/4: Research

Rhetorical analysis
draft due (peer-
review)
6/5: Research

PSA

Rhetorical analysis
final due
6/9: PSA pitch

Begin intro. to final
paper
6/10: Research 6/11: 1
st
draft due
(peer-review)

Birthday
6/12: No class

Self assessment
draft due
6/16: 2
nd
draft due
(peer-review)
6/17: Final due 6/18: Presentations 6/19: Presentations

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Annotated Bibliography
Cannabis: Potent Anti-depressant In Low Doses, Worsens Depression At High Doses.
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/07102318
3937.htm

The article discussed how THC (the most active chemical in cannabis) in
low doses increases serotonin levels in the brain, which are responsible for
causing depression when levels are depleted. The article also talked about a test
on lab rats and how when injected with higher doses the serotonin levels drop
even lowers than the control group.

Dr. Gobbi conducted the study. She worked out of McGill University and
published the study in The Journal of Neuroscience.

"Florida lawmakers approve medical marijuana bill." Reuters Health e-Line 2 May 2014.
General OneFile. Web. 22 May 2014.

This article included information on the recent approval of a medical
marijuana bill in the state of Florida. The bill allows for the use of special strain
of non-euphoric cannabis to be administered to patients.

This is an unbiased article reporting the facts of a recent bill being passed.

Florida Lawmakers Approve Restrictive Medical Marijuana Bill. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.thedailychronic.net/2014/30934/florida-lawmakers-approve-
restrictive-medical-marijuana-bill/

This article addressed the fact how lawmakers in Tallahassee approved a
restrictive medical marijuana bill allowing products to be received by patients
suffering epilepsy and other serve illnesses. Not all sections of the bill were
passed; changes and adjustments are still being made.

Clarke from the Daily Chronic reported on this topic. The writer looks at
the law from both sides of the spectrum.

Grinspoon, L., & Bakalar, J. (2001). The use of cannabis as a mood stabilizer in bipolar
disorder : Anecdotal evidence and the need for clinical research (English).
Journal Of Psychoactive Drugs, 30(2), 171-177.

This journal provided information on how cannabis can be used as a mood
stabilizer for patients suffering bipolar-depressive disorder. It drew connections
between marijuana and psychoactive disorders.

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The information came form a non-biased Journal of Psychoactive Drugs.
However, the data is from 1998 making it somewhat dated.

Grohol, J. (2006). An Introduction to Depression. Psych Central. Retrieved on May 22,
2014, from http://psychcentral.com/lib/an-introduction-to-depression/000650

This article provided background information on depression. Depression is
very common and affects most everyone directly or indirectly. The article
continued to address the common symptoms and what may actually qualify as
depression rather than a bad day. The article provides an overall glance of
depression as a whole.

The author Grohol is a psy.d. and addressed factual information about
depression, its symptoms and treatment plans.

Harris, D., Jones, R. T., Shank, R., Nath, R., Fernandez, E., Goldstein, K., & Mendelson,
J. (2000). Self-reported marijuana effects and characteristics of 100 San
Francisco medical marijuana club members. Journal Of Addictive Diseases,
19(3), 89-103.

This journal provided 100 self-documentations of medical marijuana use
in San Francisco marijuana clubs. The journal discussed the effects and
characteristics of medical marijuana and how these patients used it as their own
form of treatment.

This was published in The Journal of Addictive Diseases and has many
authors working towards the product along with biased opinions from medical
marijuana users.

Is Medical Marijuana an Effective Treatment for Depression, Bipolar Disorders, Anxiety,
and Similar Mood Disorders? - Medical Marijuana - ProCon.org. (n.d.). Retrieved
from http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=000226

This article is a compilation of pro vs cons of whether or not marijuana is
effective in treating patients with mental disorders (depression, anxiety or bipolar
disorders). The article provided biased opinions towards each side of the
argument.

The author of the article is Hall-Flavin, an MD and consultant in the
Department of Psychiatry & Psychology at the Mayo Clinic.

Oyama, O., & Piotrowski, N. (2013). Depression. MagillS Medical Guide (Online
Edition)

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This journal addressed the symptoms, causes and additional background
information on depression. It continued with discussion of current therapy and
treatment options.

This journal was located on a database and serves as a non-biased factual
document defining depression as a whole.

Searle, A., Calnan, M., Turner, K. M., Lawlor, D. A., Campbell, J., Chalder, M., &
Lewis, G. (2012). General practitioners beliefs about physical activity for
managing depression in primary care. Mental Health And Physical Activity, 5(1),
13-19. doi:10.1016/j.mhpa.2011.11.001

This popular journal discussed depression and additional background
information. It presents factual information and provides treatment plans
consisting of physical activity.

The unbiased data was concluded after a qualitative study with 15 General
Practitioners.

Woollaston, V. (2013, August 22). Could marijuana be GOOD for mental health?
Breakthrough study claims the drug could be used to help treat depression.
Retrieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2400032/Could-
marijuana-GOOD-mental-health-Breakthrough-study-claims-drug-used-help-
treat-depression.html

This article discussed breakthrough claims saying that marijuana may be
good for mental health and ultimately the treatment of depression. The study
argued that marijuana may even be a cure for depression. The study observed
MRI scans of patients using THC vs others who were administered a placebo, the
patients under the effects of the THC had clear positive effects in the emotion-
processing cerebral regions.

The study was published by the European Neuropsychopharmacology
journal, which conducted a study in the Netherlands at the University Medical
Center Utrecht.