When I went to Amsterdam a couple of days ago, I observed that the use of cannabis was common and tolerated. My first question was that how could the population of a whole country use this ’drug’ and still maintain its efficiency and production? In fact, the country has a top ten per capita GDP. This made me curious about the use of cannabis and whether or not it should really be classified as a true drug.
First of all, I am not condoning marijuana use in any way. There is a reason why it is illegal in many countries around the world and this is probably because of the psychoactive substance in the plant called THC. Tetrahydrocannabinol produces the high associated with cannabis and has been known to alter brain function (like short-term memory loss). However, a drug is something that can be abused and can alter body functions. One can classify coffee or many over the counter medicines as drugs but their legality is never disputed. There have never been any reported fatalities linked to the overdose of cannabis and one study reports that 1500 lbs of pot would have to be smoked in 15 minutes to die from its toxicity. Frankly, I think that is impossible (well, maybe not).
There is a strong argument for the tolerance of cannabis. The plant is used for many medicinal purposes like for the treatment of nausea, pain, and chronic illness. In fact, there has been some research performed that showed some extraordinary benefits for patients with cancer and AIDS who are given cannabis. THC also provided positive benefits for patients suffering from glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Tourette’s syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, ADHD, and depression. In fact, some studies were able to confirm that THC can even promote neurogenesis and neuroprotection (the production and protection of neurons in the brain). Another study confirmed that THC can prevent some types of oxidative damage from free radicals and may be even more effective than some antioxidants.
There are many issues and benefits of marijuana that I haven’t included in my brief blog. I just wanted to bring attention to the fact that we should not pass judgment on cannabis when its true effects are unknown. More research needs to be done to confirm the health effects of cannabis. Only then can we discuss whether or not it should be legal. Until then, I encourage people to go to Amsterdam and see the cannabis phenomenon for themselves. But be careful…if you try it you might suffer from some severe health benefits!
References: wikipedia.org
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What about testosterone? Chronic use of marijuana leads to a low sperm count. I do not know the amount required to cause a change in sperm count, but I have read scientific articles that discuss the impact of regular marijuana use. Sperm are slower and have a difficult time fertilizing the egg.
ReplyDeleteGovernment experts also concede that pot has no permanent effect on the male or female reproductive systems.(14) A few studies have suggested that heavy marijuana use may have a reversible, suppressive effect on male testicular function.(15) A recent study by Dr. Robert Block has refuted earlier research suggesting that pot lowers testosterone or other sex hormones in men or women.(16) In contrast, heavy alcohol drinking is known to lower testosterone levels and cause impotence. A couple of lab studies indicated that very heavy marijuana smoking might lower sperm counts. However, surveys of chronic smokers have turned up no indication of infertility or other abnormalities.
ReplyDeleteDirect quote from: http://paranoia.lycaeum.org/marijuana/facts/mj-health-mythology.html#myth13
I find this article very interesting because it does not seem to make sense that marijuana is illegal when substances like cigarettes and alcohol are still legal. The only reason that I could ever find is back during the 60s or 70s, government criminalized marijuana in order to preserve the timber industry in America. At that time, the timber industry was threatened by the hemp industry because hemp was a cheaper and better material to use as a raw material. Also, it has been suggested that the government abolished marijuana and place stigmas on marijuana smokers in order to stop the “hippie” movement.
ReplyDeleteThese are just things that I have heard from the controversy about marijuana. This controversy is something I think the government should address to clarify to the general public either what terrible effects makes marijuana a Class B drug or show to the public through scientific research that marijuana could potentially be used recreationally and moderately with few harmful effects, at least less harmful than current legal substances such as cigarettes and alcohol.
Marijuana wasn't criminalized because of its psychological or physiological effects. It was illegalized and criminalized because the US learned from its mistake of Prohibition back in the early decades that taking something away from someone is worse than not giving it to them in the first place. Also, illegalizing marijuana helped the economy (not just the underground market...) and aided in giving law enforcement a reason to prosecute Native Americans in case they were (or weren't) giving any trouble.
ReplyDeleteCriminalization of any drug has never and will never work, if only increase its demand and price (demand and economic benefit are two of the reasons why the drinking age is 21 here). That's also why Prohibition was reversed. It would be impossible right now for the government to illegalize alcohol and/or cigarettes. I am not for the decriminalization of marijuana, not yet at least, but I am merely pointing out that marijuana is illegal for many important reasons other than its negative effects on the body. If the government really cared about our health, booze and cigs should slowly disappear, not by making them illegal now, but by increases prices and lowering supply until ultimately there is no more produced. But in capitalistic, money-driven America, that would never happen. Not in the forseeable future, anyway. Both alcohol and pot are abused in America. One is legal the other isn't. I don't see that changing at all in either direction in the near future.