The Underlying Issues of Cannabis Abuse
Jeoffery Walton
English 102
The International College of the Cayman Islands
The topic outline
1) The cannabis plant and its ingredients
2) Abuse of cannabis
a) Smoking Cannabis
b) Addiction to cannabis
c) Withdrawal symptoms
d) Effects on the mental health & cognitive development in adolescence
e) Cancer and other illnesses
3) Cannabis for medicinal purposes
4) Law enforcement
5) Conclusion
Abstract
This paper examines the effects that cannabis abuse has on human health over an extended period. Over the years, some researchers have concluded that continuous use of the drug during adolescence, but not adulthood, could permanently impair cognition and increase the risk for psychiatric diseases. Other studies suggest that heavy use amongst users can cause changes in subjective mental status, brain functioning, and neuropsychological performance. Approximately 9% of those who experiment with cannabis will become addicted, and the treatment for addiction can be challenging, as it often leads to withdrawal symptoms. Consequently, most governments around the globe decided to enact legislation in the early to mid 20th century, to help control its abuse; however, recently, some countries in the Western World have begun to allow its use for medicinal and recreational purposes. All information for the writing of this paper has been
Also, marijuana can be seen as being addictive in nature. “Approximately 9% of individuals that use marijuana become addicted” (Marijuana Statistics). Marijuana contains many chemicals, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which can cause many positive and negative effects to the human body and brain. A major attribute for medical marijuana is the economic advantages that are produced from the distribution of the drug. Also, the legalization of medical marijuana can portray positive and negative outcomes for law enforcement. Therefore, medical marijuana has many positive effects, such as treatment for diseases, and negative effects, such as immune system suppression. Throughout this research paper, medical marijuana will be thoroughly explained to exemplify the advantages and disadvantages of legalizing the
Hall & Degenhardt explain in this article how marijuana has caused adverse health effects on non-medical cannabis usage in the United States. This article observes how the younger generation has caused an epidemic in the high income countries. These two authors researched through the past 10 years that the young generation that use marijuana for non-medical reasons cause problems and obstacles in their adulthood. They used several studies and observed the fact of public health’s
In contrast, there are common believes that marijuana is not addictive such as alcohol and heroin, but research and experiences show that the user will slowly develop addiction on it even after withdrawal. The symptoms of marijuana smoker seem as in a cocaine addict. The drug is the most commonly found in the system of drivers who are fatally injured. Dependency on the drug may lead to use more dangerous drugs in future. It has a high impact on brain especially parts connected to memory and learning. One study, declare that the person who is highly addicted to marijuana in teen years his IQ points will decrease by 8 between the age of 13 and 38. Finally, the legalization of marijuana will lead to highly smoking problems and increase serious health problems, whether it has a medical condition relief property.
Marijuana in the late 1960s’ had only one percent of tetrahydrocannabinol, compared to present day where Health Canada has discovered there is at least 10 percent of tetrahydrocannabinol and 30 percent in some cases. The tetrahydrocannabinol is a strong chemical and works immediately after one has inhaled it. Tetrahydrocannabinol mimics the neurotransmitter anandamide, which fills in the synapse between neurons and this disrupts the brain’s regular functions. In a normally functioning brain, anandamide activates the cannabinoid receptors but when smoking marijuana tetrahydrocannabinol activates these receptors which are in the hippocampus, cerebellum and basal ganglia. This affects the short-term memory, coordination, and learning and problem-solving skills for an individual. Brain development is also affected by the use of cannabis. Dr. Harold Kalant conducted a study in the 1980s’ with rats and cannabis use. He separated the rats into two groups; rats exposed to cannabis at adolescents and rats exposed to cannabis in adulthood. Kalant observed the rats exposed to cannabis as adolescents, had difficulty with memory and learning even after nine years of no exposure. In comparison, the rats who were adults when exposed to cannabis didn’t have long term effects. It is evident that brain development was disrupted by the use of cannabis in the growing years. Also, Dr. Andra Smith saw in her functional magnetic resonance imaging of brain activity of regular cannabis smokers and non-smokers, that the smokers had a more brain activity. She stated it was due to the brain having to work hard to “respond accurately”. It is obvious that brain function and development is harshly impacted by the use of
Recently the drug policies and war on drugs has been increasingly seen in the headlines. Policies taken by the United States government against illegal drugs like marijuana are becoming apparent, and are coming into question. This has caused quite a controversy among supporters and opponents about legalization issues. Should marijuana be used as a medicine, as its advocates say? Or is it a dangerous drug of abuse that exposes users to brain damage and lung cancer? The debate over legalizing marijuana in all probability will continue for a long time, and it is a shame that this debate is so polarized. Marijuana produces long-term effects and damage on the brain. Although there have been reports of successful treatment in the use of marijuana as medicine, there appears to be more negative reasons why marijuana should not be used. Marijuana has been used for treatment of many diseases, some of which include cancer, post traumatic stress disorder, arthrosclerosis, digestive diseases, and HIV/AIDS. Despite the success for some medical issues, marijuana continues to be a “dangerous, addictive drug that poses significant health threats to users. Marijuana has no medical value that can't be met more effectively by legal drugs” ("U.S Drug Enforcement Administration"). The government and medical professionals should make it a point to emphasize the increasing problems of marijuana and its harmful effects on the body, as well as providing alternatives to
Marijuana or Cannabis is one of the bused drugs in America and the rest of the world. Interesting accumulating evidence show that the significant negative impact of this drug outweighs the positive effects. However, the medical benefits of the drug seem on the process of chemical compounds as compared to the drug itself. Medical debates show that chemical compound in marijuana are the problem as compared to the plant. The said chemical compound affects the mental and physical health of the persons abusing this drug. There have been traditional efforts to control the use of marijuana through legislation laws, (Crick, Haase, & Bewley-Taylor, 2013). However, in the recent past the efforts and the laws are being lifted to relax the implementation of the same legislations and the population is responding fast in accepting the legalization of the use of marijuana. The aim of this paper is to discuss how lifting on the laws of the said drug indicate adverse tolerance of Cannabis among populations. The paper will also discuss impact of legalization marijuana on the safety, security and overall quality of human life. Also, the paper will analyses the effect of relaxation of the laws controlling this drug to other hard core drugs such as cocaine, heroin and meth-amphetamines among others.
Most research performed in the past on the use of illegal drugs focuses on a very broad group of people. Research also tends to be very anti-cannabis, and focuses on younger people. With this in mind, the researching of long-term cannabis effects on regular cannabis users has been neglected. This article was made to compensate for the under-researched aspects of cannabis, and to delve into a lesser known field. Chatwin and Porteous (2013) sought to show that cannabis can be beneficial to the long-term, regular cannabis user, despite what historical
Marijuana is considered in popular culture to be a widely accepted mainstream recreational illegal drug used in the United States; its use comes with severe adverse side effects that are often overlooked. Long-Term use of marijuana 'sis shown to have negative effects on physical, mental, and environmental health. Studies have shown that in the United States, up to 20% of daily marijuana users become dependent (Marijuana and Lung Health) showing a physical or emotional need for the drug. Marijuana use has the potential to affect every aspect of a person 's physical and mental wellbeing negatively. Its use also comes with potentially life-altering risks to one 's future including an individual’s likelihood of obtaining a degree, impacting their future earning potential and decreasing their overall reported life satisfaction. Once dependent on marijuana, people stop caring about their schooling. Long-term use of smoking marijuana can result in the inability to learn, retain information and think critically.
“When you smoke the herb, it reveals you to yourself,” said Bob Marley philosophising about Marijuana and its effects. A quote from one of the most famous marijuana users in the history of the media propagating the drug shows that he believes that marijuana shows the true self to the user. For hundreds of years, humans have used substances to change their perceptions on life, and marijuana is one of them. Marijuana and its effects on the brain and self is an extremely interesting topic because it is so under researched that it leaves room for more evidence to keep emerging. The effects of marijuana in the medical and recreational world can alter the dynamic of the brain, cognitive function, a changed perception of reality, and a slowed sense
Consumption of cannabis, more commonly known as marijuana, is thought to cause psychological disorders. However, in some cases, cannabis has little to no causation evidence for the development of these disorders. As a result, it is still controversial whether cannabis truly increases the chances of developing these disorders.1 Consumption of marijuana is fatal to society. Society is under a great misconception that marijuana is a merely a recreational drug and its affects are temporary. Mainly adolescents seem to engage in its consumption, being unaware of the critical long term effects that can follow. Consumption of this drug, results with health issues that are irreversible and can persist through adult hood, causing permanent damage to one’s cognition and mental health. The main focus within this literacy paper will be -- can marijuana truly have causal links which relate to the occurrence of psychosis? This paper will discuss the effects that marijuana has on the neural pathways and will provide evidence for both “yes” and “no” sides regarding the causation of psychosis due to cannabis. Through the given evidences, conclusions will be drawn towards either the “yes” or the “no” side and this will answer the question.
Armand, Wynne."Marijuana: Health effects of recreational and medical use". Harvard. Ed. Armand, Wynne. Article. 2016. Armand is providing research information in her post about what are the effects of marijuana on the one's health and how that among the youth, those ranging from teenagers to young adults, there is staggering number of them who are damaging their developing brains. The article gives the audience the effects of long-term and
Canadian adolescents have among the highest rates of cannabis use compared to their peers in other developed countries. According to Statistics Canada in 2015, 22.4% of youth aged 15-19 reported past-year use of cannabis; among young adults aged 20-24, 26.2% reported past-year. This large amount of adolescents being exposed to marijuana raises concern due to the drugs negative effects on the developing brain. (Gruber et al, 2014). Among the negative effects are risk of greater substance use, legal problems, disruption education, injuries/medical problems, developing psychopathology, cognitive changes and chronic psychosocial struggles. (George et al., 2015). It is not fully known what the impact of marijuana use is on the adolescent brain and its development but there are many studies that have emerged to help better understand the effects. These studies include looking at the negative impact on cognitive function, self-destructive development and the consumption damages related to marijuana use in adolescents that will be covered.
The article analyses the necessity of policy revision to meet the demand of cannabis’ medical use. There are only limited studies available to prove the potency and safe use of cannabis. Merits and demerits of cannabis are considered in order to explore the legal modification required. Though cannabis was classified as an ineffective drug in the last century, the pleasure usage by young people made a twist to the situation by mid century. This twist made it more difficult to conduct trials, to prove its medical significance. Cannabis was useful in controlling nausea, improving appetite, managing neuropathic pain and spasticity in multiple sclerosis. Better drugs were introduced and cannabis was dropped as a complementary or alternative drug.
Therefore, smoking marijuana should not be legalization. But according to Perkonigg et al. (2008) a longitudinal study has investigated the course of marijuana use, dependence and abuse and associated outcomes within a prospective longitudinal epidemiological design. All participants were obtained through personal government registries, there are 3021 interviews were completed at the end; the response rate was 71%. After that there are three follow-up studies, they conducted among the younger cohort average of 19.7, 42, and 101 months. The evidence suggests that prolonged marijuana use may be associated with lower educational achievement, impairment of cognitive functioning and potentially long-term cognitive limitations. In short, the early life events may play a role in perpetuating the risk of marijuana use during
Among teens and adults, marijuana is the number one drug used for medical and recreational use. Marijuana was not legalized by the states in the U.S. until recently, but it has been in use since the 1970’s. Although, marijuana has been legalized for only a couple of years, the issues of marijuana are becoming a larger epidemic. Many people have the misconceptions that marijuana will not have the same effects as other drugs or even, such as tobacco, but after an abundance of research, scientist discovered that marijuana does have similar effects as smoking cigarettes in which children are the most because their brains and bodies are still developing. Not only does it affect their children physically, but also socially. Teenage years are