Legalize It
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Legalize It! Derek Bird McGovern Professor Stephen Fullmer
Legalize It! Marijuana or Cannabis is a leafy plant that grows naturally in many of the tropic and temperate areas around the world. It is grown indoors and outdoors specifically for the buds from its flowering tops. THC is the primary chemical found naturally in Marijuana that gives the user the “high.” Hemp is a Marijuana plant that is generally low in THC and is used for industrial uses (such as making Hemp paper products or medicines). Erowid.com reports the strength of particular Cannabis plants varies greatly from
one variety to the other. One particular variety yields such an amount of THC that it is known as ‘one-hit wonder’ on the streets and only requires a single lung-full to reach its full intoxicating affects. Generally most varieties require many hits to achieve the same effects. Approximately an 1/8 oz (3/5 g) of mid-grade, regular quality bud could get around 20-30 people reasonably high. Marijuana is sold on the street anywhere from $25 - $150 for a ¼ oz depending on the quality and location. In the U.S. prices are generally 30 to 60 dollars for a ¼ oz of lower quality (schwag) and 60 to 120 dollars for a ¼ oz of high quality bud. Supply and demand play a big role in prices in any current location, prices drop quickly as quantity goes up (1). Primarily the sought enjoyable effects by recreational Marijuana users are: euphoria (a feeling of happiness, confidence, or well-being), relaxation and changes in perception. Effects vary depending on dosage, frequency of use etc. Low dosages often times are accompanied by a sense of well-being, mild enhancement of senses (smell, taste and hearing), subtle changes in thought and expression, talkativeness, giggling, increased appreciation of music, increased appetite, and mild closed-eye visuals. Higher doses, the visuals may become slightly more intense; sense of time is altered, attention span and memory are frequently affected, and thought processes and mental perception may be significantly altered (Edowid.org 3-4).
The cannabis plant has been used medicinally and recreationally for thousands of years, especially in the early Eastern world, primarily China. In the early 19th century the use of cannabis quickly spread from China and the Middle East to Europe and then to America in the middle of the century. In 1937 Marijuana was made illegal among the Federal United States (1). Although many find Marijuana smoking to be bad for your health, current knowledge suggests the lack of health risks, the benefits to the economy and the lessening of crowding in our nation’s prisons legalization would entail. When smoked, Marijuana can show the user distorted perception of sights, sounds, especially time, and touch (Edowid.org 3-4). Marijuana users are often described to have problems with memory and learning and tend to show a loss of coordination according to WebMd.com. Along with short-term memory loss while the user is stoned, one may experience trouble thinking and problem-solving and while “peaking,” increased heart rate and reduced blood pressure are present. Also some users experience high amounts of anxiety, fear, distrust, or panic; especially in social situations says the experts at aboutalcholism.org. When higher doses of marijuana are taken, especially when ingested through food, users tend to be highly delusional, have quite an impaired memory and can be disorientated comparable to being drunk. When the THC is popularly heated and extracted into butter and baked in brownies (or other baked goods), some hallucinations are present. When users become delusional, especially when experiencing some type of hallucination, users are more likely to panic causing them to hurt themselves or others according to aboutalcholism.org. (1-2) Also gathered from aboutalcholism.org, nearly a few minutes after smoking marijuana one’s heart begins beating more rapidly and their blood pressure tends to drop. Often times the heart rate is increased by 20 and as high as 50 beats per minute. Researchers have found that users in poor cardiovascular health are 4 times more likely to experience a heart attack within the first hour after smoking marijuana reported aboutalcholism (1-2). Users, even some infrequent users, tend to complain of slight burning and stinging of the mouth and throat. Most often users experience heavy coughing while their bodies try to rid their
lungs of Marijuana’s sticky resin. Scientists have found more carcinogenic hydrocarbons in pot smoke than tobacco smoke and also since marijuana users tend to inhale more smoke and hold it in their lungs longer, their lungs are exposed to those carcinogens longer (2). Also being that Marijuana is very much a social drug, during flu and cold season, and through other orally transmitted diseases, pot smokers tend to pass the cold to each other throughout the season. The lack of cleaning of pipes and the sharing of mouthpieces causes many people to forget about being conscious about spreading their sickness. The American Psychiatric Association has found there to be withdrawal with the use of Marijuana. Most commonly cravings and irritability, boredom, anxiety and sleep disturbances seem to affect the individuals in the test group. From the study of nearly 500 pot smokers 78.4% said they started smoking again to reduce the symptoms (WebMD). Irritability, boredom, anxiety and sleep disturbances are mere symptoms that may last one to five days from withdrawal of a chronic user. Also, being that Marijuana stimulates the appetite of an individual (doitnow.org 3); many who quit find their appetites to be very weak and may have trouble eating. After eating one may also have stomach irritability lasting only a few days. The WJM (Western Journal of Medicine) established a highly informational article titled Health Care Use by Frequent Marijuana Smokers Who Do Not Smoke Tobacco. WJM does recognize that marijuana smoke contains more carcinogens and more tar than tobacco smoke, though relatively little epidemiologic evidence has identified marijuana use as a risk factor for ill health. The study examined the health effects of smoking marijuana by comparing the medical experiences and records of daily marijuana smokers who never smoked tobacco. The study found demographically similar groups of nonsmokers of either substance and the control group. The medical records were reviewed intensely for as long as 2 years after the checkups (1). From the study WJM’s nonsmoker group consisting of 33.1 % showed problems with the cold, flu or sore throat while only 25 % of the marijuana smokers. A difference of 8.1 % of the smokers had better immune systems pertaining to such illnesses throughout the year.
There were 86 hospital admissions in the two study groups. The relative risk for the marijuana smoking group compared with the nonsmoker group was elevated but not statistically significant. A duration of marijuana use of less than five years was of borderline significance. There was also no significant interaction between marijuana smoking and alcohol use (3-4). The quote taken from Western Journal of Medicine’s states that the current evidence of marijuana smoking and adverse health effects is low or insignificant while the evidence suggested from aboutalcholism.org had no statistical evidence listed. Also while the American Psychiatric Association’s statistics on Marijuana smoking being slightly addictive was evident, its addicting effects would be agreed to be comparable to the addicting effects of Caffeine in Coffee. The addicting affects discussed do exist but are very mild and only last a few days. Though Scientists in many studies find more carcinogens and sought cancer-causing hydrocarbons in Marijuana smoke than Tobacco smoke, there have never been any reported deaths by use of marijuana. Edowid.org suggests that the visual effects most people do not experience and the few who do tends to be mild. (1) More significant evidence taken from the National Institute on Drug Abuse ran by the United States Government (legalizationofmarijuana.com 2) reports: ANNUAL AMERICAN DEATHS CAUSED BY DRUGS TOBACCO ........................ 400,000 ALCOHOL ........................ 100,000 ALL LEGAL DRUGS .............20,000 ALL ILLEGAL DRUGS ..........15,000 CAFFEINE .........................2,000 ASPIRIN ...........................500 MARIJUANA ...................... 0 Why with less health effects and far less death rates then Tobacco or any other legal prescription drugs be it against the law in the Federal United States to posses or smoke Marijuana?; “In 2000, state and local law enforcement arrested 734,498 people for marijuana violations” (legalizationofmarijuana.com). From 1980 till 2000 there has been eight times the amount of people being incarcerated for Marijuana violations. This is the highest ever reported figure reported by the FBI for these violations and is composed of half of all the drug charges in the United States. “Taken together, the total number of marijuana arrests for 2000 far exceeded the combined number of
arrests for violent crimes, including murder, manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault” (skeptically.org) Skeptically.org also reports that “Of those charged with marijuana violations, 88.6 percent some 641,108 Americans - were charged with possession only. Since 1992, approximately six million Americans have been arrested on marijuana charges, a greater number than the entire populations of Alaska, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming combined. Annual marijuana arrests have more than doubled in that time (2)”. And the Office of National Drug Control Policy reports “According to ONDCP, federal spending to incarcerate drug offenders totals nearly $3 Billion a year -- $2.525 Billion by the Bureau of Prisons, and $429.4 Million by Federal Prisoner Detention.” Yes there may still be more to be learned about Marijuana and its, serious or not, adverse health effects; More studies need to be conducted to know exactly what its health effects may be, but with what we know so far, its effects are mild are much less dangerous than Tobacco or alcohol use. Is it not time in this economic crises to save $3 billion a year on incarcerated individualsand not to mention the surplus from the taxes that would be levied on its production and sale? The lack-ofhealth risks are evident while the 3 billion dollars saved from keeping innocent people who recreationally use Marijuana is a must. It’s time our country stops the directionless War on Marijuana.
REFERENCES
Messerli, Joe. "Should Marijuana be Legalized under any Circumstances?." 07 APR 2008 Web.05 Apr 2009.. "Cannabis Basics." Erowid.org 05 Apr 2000 Web.05 Apr 2009. . "LegalizationOfMarijuana.com." Web.05 Apr 2009. . Parker, Jim. "Marijuana: Health Effects." Do It Now Foundation (2007): Print. Buddy, T. "The Health Effects of Marijuana." About.org: Alcholism Web.14 Apr 2009. . Laino, Charlene. "Withdrawal Symptoms From Smoking Pot?." WebMD 08 May 2008 Web.05 Apr 2009. . "Marijuana Arrest & Prison Dance." Recreation Drugs 28 Oct 2002 Web.05 Apr 2009. .
Legalize It! Marijuana or Cannabis is a leafy plant that grows naturally in many of the tropic and temperate areas around the world. It is grown indoors and outdoors specifically for the buds from its flowering tops. THC is the primary chemical found naturally in Marijuana that gives the user the “high.” Hemp is a Marijuana plant that is generally low in THC and is used for industrial uses (such as making Hemp paper products or medicines). Erowid.com reports the strength of particular Cannabis plants varies greatly from
one variety to the other. One particular variety yields such an amount of THC that it is known as ‘one-hit wonder’ on the streets and only requires a single lung-full to reach its full intoxicating affects. Generally most varieties require many hits to achieve the same effects. Approximately an 1/8 oz (3/5 g) of mid-grade, regular quality bud could get around 20-30 people reasonably high. Marijuana is sold on the street anywhere from $25 - $150 for a ¼ oz depending on the quality and location. In the U.S. prices are generally 30 to 60 dollars for a ¼ oz of lower quality (schwag) and 60 to 120 dollars for a ¼ oz of high quality bud. Supply and demand play a big role in prices in any current location, prices drop quickly as quantity goes up (1). Primarily the sought enjoyable effects by recreational Marijuana users are: euphoria (a feeling of happiness, confidence, or well-being), relaxation and changes in perception. Effects vary depending on dosage, frequency of use etc. Low dosages often times are accompanied by a sense of well-being, mild enhancement of senses (smell, taste and hearing), subtle changes in thought and expression, talkativeness, giggling, increased appreciation of music, increased appetite, and mild closed-eye visuals. Higher doses, the visuals may become slightly more intense; sense of time is altered, attention span and memory are frequently affected, and thought processes and mental perception may be significantly altered (Edowid.org 3-4).
The cannabis plant has been used medicinally and recreationally for thousands of years, especially in the early Eastern world, primarily China. In the early 19th century the use of cannabis quickly spread from China and the Middle East to Europe and then to America in the middle of the century. In 1937 Marijuana was made illegal among the Federal United States (1). Although many find Marijuana smoking to be bad for your health, current knowledge suggests the lack of health risks, the benefits to the economy and the lessening of crowding in our nation’s prisons legalization would entail. When smoked, Marijuana can show the user distorted perception of sights, sounds, especially time, and touch (Edowid.org 3-4). Marijuana users are often described to have problems with memory and learning and tend to show a loss of coordination according to WebMd.com. Along with short-term memory loss while the user is stoned, one may experience trouble thinking and problem-solving and while “peaking,” increased heart rate and reduced blood pressure are present. Also some users experience high amounts of anxiety, fear, distrust, or panic; especially in social situations says the experts at aboutalcholism.org. When higher doses of marijuana are taken, especially when ingested through food, users tend to be highly delusional, have quite an impaired memory and can be disorientated comparable to being drunk. When the THC is popularly heated and extracted into butter and baked in brownies (or other baked goods), some hallucinations are present. When users become delusional, especially when experiencing some type of hallucination, users are more likely to panic causing them to hurt themselves or others according to aboutalcholism.org. (1-2) Also gathered from aboutalcholism.org, nearly a few minutes after smoking marijuana one’s heart begins beating more rapidly and their blood pressure tends to drop. Often times the heart rate is increased by 20 and as high as 50 beats per minute. Researchers have found that users in poor cardiovascular health are 4 times more likely to experience a heart attack within the first hour after smoking marijuana reported aboutalcholism (1-2). Users, even some infrequent users, tend to complain of slight burning and stinging of the mouth and throat. Most often users experience heavy coughing while their bodies try to rid their
lungs of Marijuana’s sticky resin. Scientists have found more carcinogenic hydrocarbons in pot smoke than tobacco smoke and also since marijuana users tend to inhale more smoke and hold it in their lungs longer, their lungs are exposed to those carcinogens longer (2). Also being that Marijuana is very much a social drug, during flu and cold season, and through other orally transmitted diseases, pot smokers tend to pass the cold to each other throughout the season. The lack of cleaning of pipes and the sharing of mouthpieces causes many people to forget about being conscious about spreading their sickness. The American Psychiatric Association has found there to be withdrawal with the use of Marijuana. Most commonly cravings and irritability, boredom, anxiety and sleep disturbances seem to affect the individuals in the test group. From the study of nearly 500 pot smokers 78.4% said they started smoking again to reduce the symptoms (WebMD). Irritability, boredom, anxiety and sleep disturbances are mere symptoms that may last one to five days from withdrawal of a chronic user. Also, being that Marijuana stimulates the appetite of an individual (doitnow.org 3); many who quit find their appetites to be very weak and may have trouble eating. After eating one may also have stomach irritability lasting only a few days. The WJM (Western Journal of Medicine) established a highly informational article titled Health Care Use by Frequent Marijuana Smokers Who Do Not Smoke Tobacco. WJM does recognize that marijuana smoke contains more carcinogens and more tar than tobacco smoke, though relatively little epidemiologic evidence has identified marijuana use as a risk factor for ill health. The study examined the health effects of smoking marijuana by comparing the medical experiences and records of daily marijuana smokers who never smoked tobacco. The study found demographically similar groups of nonsmokers of either substance and the control group. The medical records were reviewed intensely for as long as 2 years after the checkups (1). From the study WJM’s nonsmoker group consisting of 33.1 % showed problems with the cold, flu or sore throat while only 25 % of the marijuana smokers. A difference of 8.1 % of the smokers had better immune systems pertaining to such illnesses throughout the year.
There were 86 hospital admissions in the two study groups. The relative risk for the marijuana smoking group compared with the nonsmoker group was elevated but not statistically significant. A duration of marijuana use of less than five years was of borderline significance. There was also no significant interaction between marijuana smoking and alcohol use (3-4). The quote taken from Western Journal of Medicine’s states that the current evidence of marijuana smoking and adverse health effects is low or insignificant while the evidence suggested from aboutalcholism.org had no statistical evidence listed. Also while the American Psychiatric Association’s statistics on Marijuana smoking being slightly addictive was evident, its addicting effects would be agreed to be comparable to the addicting effects of Caffeine in Coffee. The addicting affects discussed do exist but are very mild and only last a few days. Though Scientists in many studies find more carcinogens and sought cancer-causing hydrocarbons in Marijuana smoke than Tobacco smoke, there have never been any reported deaths by use of marijuana. Edowid.org suggests that the visual effects most people do not experience and the few who do tends to be mild. (1) More significant evidence taken from the National Institute on Drug Abuse ran by the United States Government (legalizationofmarijuana.com 2) reports: ANNUAL AMERICAN DEATHS CAUSED BY DRUGS TOBACCO ........................ 400,000 ALCOHOL ........................ 100,000 ALL LEGAL DRUGS .............20,000 ALL ILLEGAL DRUGS ..........15,000 CAFFEINE .........................2,000 ASPIRIN ...........................500 MARIJUANA ...................... 0 Why with less health effects and far less death rates then Tobacco or any other legal prescription drugs be it against the law in the Federal United States to posses or smoke Marijuana?; “In 2000, state and local law enforcement arrested 734,498 people for marijuana violations” (legalizationofmarijuana.com). From 1980 till 2000 there has been eight times the amount of people being incarcerated for Marijuana violations. This is the highest ever reported figure reported by the FBI for these violations and is composed of half of all the drug charges in the United States. “Taken together, the total number of marijuana arrests for 2000 far exceeded the combined number of
arrests for violent crimes, including murder, manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault” (skeptically.org) Skeptically.org also reports that “Of those charged with marijuana violations, 88.6 percent some 641,108 Americans - were charged with possession only. Since 1992, approximately six million Americans have been arrested on marijuana charges, a greater number than the entire populations of Alaska, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming combined. Annual marijuana arrests have more than doubled in that time (2)”. And the Office of National Drug Control Policy reports “According to ONDCP, federal spending to incarcerate drug offenders totals nearly $3 Billion a year -- $2.525 Billion by the Bureau of Prisons, and $429.4 Million by Federal Prisoner Detention.” Yes there may still be more to be learned about Marijuana and its, serious or not, adverse health effects; More studies need to be conducted to know exactly what its health effects may be, but with what we know so far, its effects are mild are much less dangerous than Tobacco or alcohol use. Is it not time in this economic crises to save $3 billion a year on incarcerated individualsand not to mention the surplus from the taxes that would be levied on its production and sale? The lack-ofhealth risks are evident while the 3 billion dollars saved from keeping innocent people who recreationally use Marijuana is a must. It’s time our country stops the directionless War on Marijuana.
REFERENCES
Messerli, Joe. "Should Marijuana be Legalized under any Circumstances?." 07 APR 2008 Web.05 Apr 2009.
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