english
colins2
tcp_task_2_final.docx
Augmentative research paper
Christopher Collins
7/11/2015
Introduction
Marijuana is a name that is given a certain drug that is from cannabis sativa plant. However, the drug is known by different names in the whole world and here are examples of these names:
Dagga – South Africa
Kif – Morocco
Ganja – India
In the western culture, preparations of cannabis have been acquired in various names such as tea, pot, grass, weed, and reefer. It is smoked, taken as beverages and eaten in the form of cakes. In the cultures of places for example in western, marijuana is made to be like tobacco where is a smoke the way it is in pipe or a rolled cigarette. This drug was first discovered in the early times in 2700BC in a Chinese country. It has been used as both in toxicant and medical uses. The effect of this drug was discovered in the late mid 1960s and what was noted is an ingredient referred as tetrahydrocannabinol the common name being THC. Lately there are other forms of cannabinoids that are isolated but their chemicals are explored. Compounds of the psychoactive are got from the female and male plants having a great concentration in the tops of the flowers. Compounds that are active are only found in plants one after the other because they differ as far as the environmental factors are considered. Marijuana itself has some psychological effects on the central nervous system not forgetting the cardiovascular system. The effects are hallucinogenic and sedative. When taken in low quantity there are psychological conditions noted such as relaxation, well – being or even sleepiness. When taken in high quantity it is dangerous because it leads to loss of memory, balance, difficulty in concentration, and distortions. In addition, when in higher quantity, it can cause anxiety, panic, delusions, reddening of eyes, hallucinations, among others. Moreover, there is a feeling of tightness felt in the chest lacking coordination. Also marijuana consumption can cause lung diseases.
However, using marijuana in intoxication in North America was becoming a great problem in the public since 1930s. US as well in Canada, rules were administered and took place in 1937, and this was taken to be a crime where penalties were introduced as selling of this drug was restricted as it was botanical. Back in the year 1968 sale of the THC and its possession was administered that research was restricted. Even if these measures were there, the selling and spreading of marijuana continued as decades went by around the world. A survey was done in 1970s which brought an outcome that 43 million American had been involved in this drug. However, another survey that was done the 1980s showed that high schools and colleges were declining the use of marijuana. In fact the number of high school seniors using the drug for instance had decreased from a high percentage for about 50.8% in 1979 to a low percentage of 33.1% in 1989. As time went by the growing of marijuana in North America is increasing about 25% of United States market domestically in 1990. Moreover, there are new growing practices practiced domestically in the growing of marijuana and this brought drug abuse that overcame THC doses.
Medically, this drug together THC is used to cure or treat Glaucoma as they reduce the pressure in the eye. In most case cannabis is used several ways as follows: recreational, medicinal drug, spiritual or religious rites. So this drug on other hand should be legalized in the whole world to be in use because it plays a major role in improving economic of a country.
Medical uses
Marijuana is useful in reducing vomiting and nausea during chemotherapy in improving the appetite of the infected people with HIV/AIDS, treating chronic pain. In addition, there is an increase for both minor and major effects that are adverse if in short term. There are side effects such as tiredness, dizziness, hallucination and vomiting. However, the long terms effects are not very clear in the use of marijuana. As these effects are concerned there is loss of memory as we saw earlier above, risk of addiction, and in accidentally children may take without knowing.
This plant has not been approved to be medicine because it has unpurified substances that contain chemicals that are numerous not known whether they are healthy to be taken. Even if it has adverse effects it smoked and it has been legalized in some states. On the other hand it is found that cannabinoids is more effective than other drugs like promethazine in control of CINV but used in low quantities as there is cause of dizziness, hallucination and dysphoria. In other cases use of high quantities of the cannabis may lead to vomiting, and nausea and the condition is referred as Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome.
In cases of HIV/AIDS it is not yet approved that there is that much evidence of treating this diseases even if the experiments are continuing. But it can be used to relive pain. This is from quality evidence that chronic pains can be cured or treated by use of marijuana. Neurological diseases are controlled but not that much such as epilepsy, movement problems, and sclerosis which are in multiple and the outcomes of sclerosis are treated by cannabis produced good results when they are multiple.
In researching, cannabinoids has shown that a disease known as cancer can be treated. According to lab experiments it has been discovered that this disease can be treated but not that proven. Also diabetes can be treated according to the emerging evidence.
Recreational
Marijuana when taken can cause psychical problems like relaxation. There are even undesired side effects that one can get such as loss of memory, impaired motor skills, drying mouth and reddening of the eyes. Despite all these there is changing of mood, increase of appetite to some users, low blood pressure, and concentration.
There are some compounds which do not exhibit any psychoactive activity but are there for obligatory functionality. Cannabinol is oxidation of THC (CBN); cannabidiol is an isomer of THC (CBD), cannabivarin being analog of CBN having a unique chain and cannabinoid acid. The interaction of these compounds with THC is not know that much. Clinical studies suggest that the CBD is a balancing force that regulates the psychoactive agent THC’s strength. Other believes are that CBD acts as a regulatory agent of metabolism of THC because it metabolizes drugs. The compounds of cannabis cofactors have been suggested to be lowering the body temperature also protecting cell and immune functioning modulation. There are also many fragrant in cannabis called terpenoids which may mix with cannabinoids producing unique effects.
This receptor (cannabinoid) is a member of a large group of receptors known as G protein – coupled receptor. An evidence of this case is that the receptor will span the cell membrane seven times. The location of this receptor is found on cell membrane and both extracellular and intracellular cell membrane. CB1 receptors, the larger of the two occur in an abundant, extraordinarily at the brains. This happens in a large way than in the u – opioid being ten times, receptors and this is the one that have an effect to morphine or being responsible for it. On the other hand we can say CB2 receptors are different because what found on them are only cells of the immune system and the reaction of this receptor is the same as CB1. The occurrence of CB2 takes an effect on mostly monocytes, B cells and natural killer of the cells but on the other hand, it is found in polymorphnuclear in the cells of neutrophil, T4 and T 8. While in the tonsils the effectiveness of CB2 fail because it is restricted in the B –lymphocyte – enriched area.
In 1990 it was discovered that drug affect the brains and body because this is receptor taken their reactions. This is well known that cannabinoid receptors appear in the same way in vertebrates and invertebrates having a long evolutionary history for more than 500 million years. In the body the cannabinoids receptors reduce the activity of adenylyl cyclase hence, inhibiting calcium N channels and disinhibiting k+ A channels.
The CB1 receptor is located in the brains and enables psychological effects of THC. The CB2 receptor is the most receptor found in body immune systems. Cannabinoids modulates CB2 receptors hence increasing some of the immune responses and also decreasing others. In fact cannabinoids are seen to take over some role in the brains controlling memory and movements as well as modulator of pain. This is very important physiological way to control pain in medical treatment.
Spiritual/religious rites
Marijuana held some sacred status in several religions. There are 3 types of cannabis that is used in India and Nepal. The first one is bhang, consisting leaves and plant tops of the marijuana plant. It is normally consumed as an infusion in the form of beverage, and varying in how much cannabis was used how strong it was in preparation. The second is ganja. This consist leaves and top part of this consumed in form of smoking. Hashish is the last one. It consist leaves of marijuana plant. The most used cannabis is Bhang. In festivals that take place in India and Nepalese referred as HOLI, people consume bhang that contains cannabis flowers. Although it is illegal drug many of the Nepalese consume it at festivals and the government allows for recreation and personal use. Buddhism allows consumption.
In Sikhism the first Sikh Guru (Nanak) said that using any substance that is altering mind is a way of keeping mind clean in God’s presence. So he offered bhang or marijuana from Mughal emperor Babur. He also said that remembering the true God replaced bhang pleasures.
Smoking cannabis for rastas is a spiritual act and often favored by the Bible and so, they offered it as a sacrament which cleans mind and the body, heals, facilities peacefulness, bring one close to Jah in this case God and brings pleasure. Therefore they offered it when in need of insight from jah. Nevertheless, it became legal in Jamaica in 2015 as it indicates faith of the rastafari where they use it in sacraments. The Rastas quote the following examples from the bible:
· Genesis 1:11 “and God said, let there be earth that support grass, a herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruits after his kind, whose seeds is in itself and it was so.”
· Also in genesis 3:18 “………thou shalt eat the herb of the field.”
· Psalms 104:14 “he causeth the grass to grow for the livestock, and vegetation for man.”
Legalization of marijuana
This plant is intended for use as a psychoactive drug or medicine. It has been used as a recreational drug the world over since discovery. Many users of this drug, believe that it does not have serious side effects or complications like cocaine, heroin etc. Marijuana users believe that it stimulates one’s brain activity. In the past the drug has been prescribed by doctors medically, to deal with the bad effects of having glaucoma and cancer.Debate over marijuana usage has been on in recent years, and about ten states have now legalized the use of marijuana. Conversely, eighteen states have reduced punishment meted for using marijuana.
Overtime, marijuana has been seen as more of a recreational drug, than a hard-core drug like cocaine or heroin. Many users believe smoking weed is neither addictive nor causes serious complications for regular users. Rather, they believe it should be in the same category as smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol. What many users fail to realize is that cigarettes and alcohol have harmful side effects just like any other addictive drug. Many states would like to legalize marijuana use, just like tobacco and alcohol; they believe they would generate tax revenue from its sale. Marijuana would therefore equally fetch a lot of revenue for governments. There’s also a general feel that like alcohol and tobacco, marijuana may cause deterioration to an individual’s health. However, unlike, crack, heroin, cocaine, that has an effect to the user, their families and society in general, marijuana, may only affect the user. For instance, an addict would steal in order to get cocaine or crack, but a marijuana user is less likely to follow suit to get the drug.
Legalizing marijuana usage would bring considerable benefits to society in terms of revenue made from it legally. However, legalizing marijuana may open doors to individuals becoming addicted to harder drugs such as cocaine. According to research it is found that the consumers of this drug started out smoking marijuana graduated to harder drugs like cocaine chasing a stronger high. Generally, marijuana has been medically proven to help individuals deal with side effects of certain diseases like glaucoma or cancer. All in all, whether to legalize marijuana usage or not, continues to be a heated debate for many years to come.
Conclusion
One can say marijuana helps in sickness because it is a medicine. You can think it cools you down and makes you feel good. On the other, hand they say it is harmful as other drugs like cigarette. This is why they want to allow consumption of marijuana. I ask, are they right? In US marijuana should stay illegal because those who smoke it cause negative health effects.
If marijuana was legalized everywhere smoking will be done every day and this will increase drug use. People will be smoking marijuana freely without being asked by anyone or even being arrested. There growing of marijuana will increase and the price will be cheaper while buying. The same thing happened when there was legalization of alcohol. Drug dealer will be very happy as there is no one to arrest them and hence make a lot of money in trafficking of this drug. There was a reporter who described how he and his friend were using the drug but for a while. He said that he felt like being addicted to it but buying illegal drugs was heard by that time. There was a worry of undercover cops who seemed to be in the drug use and also drug dealers who sold them fake drugs. According to this page the reporter by the Van Deventer stopped the use of this drug when it was illegal because he feared to be arrested. Finally, he said that if legalization occurs he and his friend will be on the drug again.
If this marijuana drug it allowed to take place there will be a lot of negative effects or behaviors on families. Also it will be used in work and school lessens. Marijuana consumption will reduce when it is legalized. Very young teens or youths will use it, parents will also use it but showing their kids bad behaviors. This drug affects the concentration of young teen in class or school. The parents using it will portray bad examples to their children. If marijuana remains illegal the unwanted effects will decline. The more there are barriers the less the addiction.
So I am asking everyone why legalize marijuana? It only destroys families and increase in drug use, negative effects on families, negative health effects. It is a must for one to think of this why put negative effects on your family by legalizing it? Will it affect youths and their concretions in school? Will it make you be depressed and have a higher risk having heart attack? All of this will happen if legalized.
Sources
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