Posted by Tay on January 14, 1999 at 19:16:09:
In Reply to: health effects of marijuana use posted by Chris on July 06, 1998 at 23:16:35:
: : What is the difference between its side affects and those of all the legal drugs? If it is only a matter of degree then the public should know that fact--not be thrown in jail for using or selling it.
: Somehow, I got into this discussion with my parents about a year ago. They thought marijuana was addictive and seriously damaging to one's health, like alcohol or crack. The "pothead" propaganda must have made an impression.
: I went to the library and looked up the section on drug addiction and drug abuse in Goodman & Gilman's "Pharmacological Basis of Theraputics." It's a respected medical text, and hopefully an objective assessment of the health effects of marijuana use.
: "The smoke from burning cannabis contains many chemicals, including 61 different cannabinoids that have been identified. (no mention of carcinogens)
: "The pharmacological effects of THC vary with the dose, route of administration, experience of the user, vulnerability to psychoactive agents, and setting of use. Intoxication with marijuana produces changes in mood, perception and motivation, but the effect sought by most users is the 'high' and 'mellowing out.' This effect is described as different from the stimulant high and the opiate high. The effects vary with the dose, but the typical marijuana smoker experiences a high that lasts about 2 hours. During that time there is impairment of cognitive functions, perception, reaction time, learning, and memory. Impairment of coordination and tracking behavior has been reported to persist for several hours beyond the perception of the high. These impairments have obvious implications for the operation of a motor vehicle, and performance in the workplace or at school."
: "Marijuana also produces complex behavioral changes such as giddiness and increased hunger. Although some users have reported increased pleasure from sex and increased insight during a marijuana high, these claims have not been substantiated. Unpleasant reactions such as pain or hallucinations and even acute psychosis may occur: several surveys indicate that 50% to 60% of marijuana users have had at least one anxiety experience. These reactions are commonly seen with higher doses and with oral rather than smoked marijuana, because smoking permits the regulation of dose according to the effects. While there is no convincing evidence that marijuana can produce a lasting schizophrenia-like syndrome, there are numerous clinical reports that marijuana use can precipitate a recurrence in people with a history of schizophrenia."
: "One of the most controversial of the effects that have been claimed for marijuana is the production of an 'amotivational syndrome.' This syndrome is not an official diagnosis, but it has been used to describe young people who drop out of social activities and show little interest in school, work, or other goal-directed activity. There is no data that demonstrates a causal relationship between marijuana smoking and these behavioral characteristics. There is no evidence that marijuana use damages rain cells or produces any permanent functional changes."
: "Several medicinal effects of marijuana have been described...antinausea effects applied to the side effects of anticancer chemotherapy, muscle relaxing effects, anticonvulsant effects, and reduction of intraocular pressure for the treatment of glaucoma. These medical benefits come at the cost of the psychoactive effects that often impair normal activites."
: "Withdrawl symptoms and signs are not typically seen in clinical populations. In fact, relatively few patients ever seek treatment for marijuana addiction."
: "Heavy users may suffer from accompanying depression."
: (pages 572-573)
: Marijuana is a trifle compared to alcohol or tobacco. Why was it criminalized in the first place, when the other two are so insidious? That's what I would like to know.
Hi, I don't know why it was made illegal in the first place. But it might be because its too difficult to tax, so instead the powers that be make money by prosecuting it, a left over pattern of thought from the "Reefer Madness" era no doubt. Thats the reason Moon shiners were persequted so ferverently, they had there own stills and the Government couldn't get a piece of the action. Marijuana Erradication creates work & jobs and makes the non using, VOTING, public feel there is order and safty in the world and that the evil Pot users will go away. When actually erradication drives the value of Pot way up (supply & demand) and eventually people are willing to commit crimes to get it or protect it. Funny how expensive Pot has become with all the busts and crops destroyed, but what people can't afford they steal, sometimes by force. Gee I wonder if the Procecuters note the correlation of some violent crimes with the exorbitant cost of Pot.Which reminds me its not a good idea to go cross country hiking in Humbolt or Mendocino countys around Harvest time (Oct/Nov). The law is creating the problem in this case. Growing it yourself takes the government out of the loop and reduces the street value and therefore it becomes something people don't feel a need to be violent about. I do know that here in Northern California it has become an industry that brings a lot of money to the various former logging & fishing communities. I would wager that it is the mainstay foundation of more than a few communities, though most people wouldn't believe it, or admit it. Those that would erradicate it aren't upset though when that same Pot farmer comes and spends a lot of $ for supplies or just groceries, they look and act just like regular people. As a bartender(non drinker) for many many years I met all sorts of folks who enjoy a toke now and then, among them doctors, Judges and even officers of the law. Anyway thats my 2 cents worth. Enjoy, but discretely!!!A brownie a week gives just the right tweek!