...Cannabis Sativa, also known as marijuana, is a preparation of the cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug or used as a medicine. Scientists have identified 483 different chemical compounds in Cannabis Sativa. The main ingredient in cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol, also abbreviated as THC. Cannabidiol, abbreviated as CBD, is a non-psychoactive oil derived from the Cannabis Sativa plant that is commonly used as a medicine; CBD comes from cannabinoids, one of the classes of chemical compounds that acts on cannabinoid receptors in cells that alter neurotransmitter release in the brain. Marijuana comes in many forms including oils, edibles, concentrates, etc. Marijuana doesn’t need to be smoked. The cannabis plant is one of the oldest...
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...Economics of Marijuana in the USA Millions of people across America, and even around the world, use marijuana everyday, but what exactly is it? The National Institute on Drug Abuse defines marijuana as “the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa, which contains the psychoactive (mind-altering) chemical delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), as well as other related compounds”(NIDA). Marijuana, frequently referred to as weed or cannabis, is the most common illicit drug used in the United States. It is often frowned upon mainly because it is still illegal in a majority of the country. Cannabis activists from all around the US have been fighting for legalization of the drug for years. Their main argument is that marijuana is actually a much less dangerous drug than alcohol and tobacco, which are both legal. About 50,000 people die each year from alcohol poisoning, and there are over 400,000 deaths a year attributed to tobacco smoking. On the other hand, marijuana is considered non-toxic and cannot cause death from an overdose. Because many states have yet to pass laws for legalization, only a small percentage of marijuana is sold legally through licensed dispensaries run by state governments. The rest is sold illegally on the streets, which is where the real dangers of marijuana arise. More and more states are passing laws to decriminalize marijuana and to allow its medicinal use. Recent progress in legalizing marijuana in the...
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...America’s Cash Crop “Why is marijuana against the law? It grows naturally upon our planet. Doesn’t the idea of making nature against the law seem to you a bit . . . unnatural?” ― Bill Hicks The legalization of marijuana is a debate being held all over the country. Everyone has their own opinion on the whole idea of marijuana. There are legislators who think that if marijuana is legalized that it will be grown illegally, and medically abused. There are potheads who think it would be cool and that they would get cheaper weed. But what it comes down to are the numbers. Marijuana is a cash crop. How can Wisconsin say no to numbers like fourteen billion, and thirty five billion dollars? Can legalizing marijuana rescue Wisconsin’s economy? Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, DC, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington. In seventeen states, and DC it is legal to have at least an ounce of marijuana. In fourteen of them it is legal to even have plants (ProCon). Should Wisconsin be state number eighteen? NBC News produced an article Marijuana Called US Cash Crop and within that article they state “The study estimates that marijuana production, at a value of $35.8 billion, exceeds the combined value of corn ($23.3 billion) and wheat ($7.5 billion).” Wisconsin is in forty six billion dollars of debt and increasing every second (WisconsinDebtClock). If marijuana can bring in millions of...
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...MEDICAL PURPOSES FOR MARIJUANA 1 Medical Purposes for Marijuana CM 101 MEDICAL PURPOSES FOR MARIJUANA 2 MEDICAL PURPOSES FOR MARIJUANA MEDICAL PURPOSES FOR MARIJUANA 3 Abstract In the medical field there are many uses for marijuana, scientifically known as cannabis sativa. The main psychoactive chemical compound in cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the plant is known to contain about sixty cannabinoids; however, most of these “minor” cannabinoids are only produced in trace amounts. Besides THC, another cannabinoids produced in high concentration by some plants is cannabiniol (CBD), which has been shown to block the effect of THC in the nervous system. (wikipedia.org) Many research teams from the United States to Madrid have reported findings of the beneficial use for cannabis. Clinical trial studies have proved that the use of cannabis in patients with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and patients that suffer from chronic pain has significantly improved their quality of life. (Ellis et al. 2008 op. cit.) Although clinical studies have...
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...What good could the legalization of marijuana possibly do? This is a question that has been brought to the minds of almost every person across this great country. Recently, the state of Colorado has legalized marijuana for personal use. In addition, businesses have opened to sell marijuana to the general public, with some startlingly beneficial effects to Colorado's economy. Do we really know all the facts about marijuana though, from all the media and gossip that we have heard about the elusive and very much illegal drug in most of America, how can we be sure that we are getting the best and most accurate information? The consideration to legalize marijuana nationwide should be based from facts and through studies alone. A common misconception about marijuana is that it is only used recreationally. That being said, marijuana has been used for numerous years for so many different reasons, it's almost staggering. "The ancient Greeks used cannabis as a remedy to treat inflammation, earache, and edema" (Hanrahan, Frey & Davidson, 2011). In today's age, it is commonly known that many individuals are issued cards to legally carry and use medical marijuana for problems such as chronic back pain. While the Greeks might not have known the use for marijuana as a pain reducer, they were able to see its use for medical properties. Other cultures were also able to observe marijuana's other uses such as its ability to be used as parchment. "By the year 100 B. C. the Chinese were...
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...Casie Anderson Mrs. Serwa English IV 8 May 2017 Research Paper Are you for Marijuana or against it? Marijuana/cannabis has been around for centuries approximately 2737 B.C. Around the United States they are trying to figure out if Marijuana should be legal or not, but who knows if it will or not. Whatever the government decides to do about it. Throughout the whole deal with Marijuana it should be legal at all cost. If it becomes legal good and bad at the same time can come out of it, but overall it should be legal around Marijuana should be legal; it helps out many people in many different ways like; their health or maybe in even ways just to comfort them. May not think it but Marijuana isn’t so bad and there’s no harm in it. Legalized...
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...Week 9 Research Paper COM/156 August 11, 2013 Week 9 Research Paper “Marijuana is the finest anti-nausea medication known to science, and our leaders have lied about this consistently. [Arresting people for] medical marijuana is the most hideous example of government interference in the private lives of individuals. It’s an outrage within an outrage within an outrage”. Peter McWilliams Author and Advocate for Medical Marijuana Medical Marijuana has found its place once again as the medical plant that is recognized for its healing potential and properties. How the Government has suppressed its positive potential and healing powers for over 25 years. With the help from many patients, loved ones, research departments and advocate groups to get the Government’s attention to see and understand that the terminally ill and the sick should not be treated as common criminals. They are only trying to find some peace and serenity in their last days. The struggle and fight that has been going on for the last 25 years against the Government. The people were finally heard, with the legalization of Medical Marijuana. The Government wants to regulate everything for their own best interest, the positive effect of decriminalizing marijuana for the terminally ill and the positive economic benefits for our community. Cannabis Sativa, Marijuana, Weed, Herb, Mary Jane these are just a few names that this little 5 leaf...
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...The Basics of Legalization: Marijuana a friend or foe? Marijuana, a subject known to often raise many eyebrows and has been severely frowned upon due to mislead misunderstandings. Over the years, a misconception has been built around the subject that marijuana is an evil addicting gateway drug that has ruined the lives of many people, and that it can cause several negative effects on the human body; however, many of these individuals have failed to educate themselves on the medicinal aspect of marijuana and can potentially be making assumptions based purely on fictions opinions and rumors. The many benefits that incorporate within this plant should be considered as an amazing finding that can benefit humans all around the world. Marijuana has proven to be beneficial not only to a person’s health, but also beneficial to the physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects of an individual’s healthy and overall state of living. With more information being processed daily, scientists are in hopes of one day accomplishing the legalization of marijuana for those individuals that truly are in need of the comfort while battling a disease. First, let’s approach this topic with some basic information and background on what exactly is marijuana and how it can be used in a medicinal aspect. Marijuana is commonly known as cannabis, pot, ganja, weed, hemp, and often grass. According to many researchers, legend has it that a Chinese Emperor by the name of Shen Nung was the one responsible...
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...Legalizing Marijuana Cynthia Jones SOC120: Intro to Ethics & Social Responsibility Instructor Dr. Marnie Carroll Aug 27, 2012 Marijuana has been placed on the control substances list as a schedule 1 class drug along with heroin, mescaline, and LSD; the government is claiming that marijuana is harmful and addictive. I will disprove these claims. The United States government has made the possession and use of marijuana illegal, but nicotine a known addictive drug and alcohol are legal for personal use. I believe as a personal choice medicinal marijuana should be legalized and this paper will be a utilitarian’s view on legalizing marijuana. I will begin with some information about marijuana or a more common name of Cannabis comes from the plant, Cannabaceae. Along with Cannaboids, there is another main cannabinoid the most prominent and psychoactive called THC, or delta 9 tetrahydocannabinol, this is what causes the effects of marijuana. This is the most popular illicit drug that has been around for thousands of years. These particular extracts from the plant have several medicinal purposes and legalizing marijuana for medicinal uses would benefit several people with serious illnesses. As of now it is still illegal in most states and federally. Relativism is “the idea that one’s beliefs and values are understood in terms of one’s society, culture, or even one’s own individual values” (Mosser, K., 2010) Society has made marijuana illegal so for the relativist...
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...Week 9 Research Paper Medical Marijuana COM/156 August 11, 2013 Medical Marijuana ~“Marijuana is the finest anti-nausea medication known to science, and our leaders have lied about this consistently. [Arresting people for] medical marijuana is the most hideous example of government interference in the private lives of individuals. It’s an outrage within an outrage within an outrage”~ ~Peter McWilliams~ Author and Advocate for Medical Marijuana Medical Marijuana has found its place once again as the medical plant that is recognized for its healing potential and properties. How the Government has suppressed its positive potential and healing powers for over 25 years. With the help frommany patients, loved ones, research departments and advocate groups, to get the Government’s attention to see and understand that the terminally ill, and the sick should not be treated as common criminals. They are only trying to find some peace and serenity, in their last days. The struggle and fight that has been going on for the last 25 years against the Government. The people were finally heard, with the legalization of Medical Marijuana. The Government wants to regulate everything for their best interest, the positive effect of decriminalizing marijuana for the terminally ill, and the positive economic benefits for our community. Cannabis Sativa, Marijuana, Weed, Herb, Mary Jane these are just a few names that this little 5 leaf plant goes by. How could this...
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...To Legalize or Not to Legalize Medical Marijuana Elizabeth Connell ENG/102 Research Writing To Legalize or Not to Legalize Medical Marijuana Even though marijuana is a drug, legalized marijuana for medicinal use will help patients through various medical issues. Marijuana has been proven to ease the side effects of chemotherapy, helps patients with severe migraine, and glaucoma patients. Many people are on the fence over the legalization of medical marijuana. There are several reasons to legalize marijuana for medical use, let me tell you about one of the reasons. Six-year-old Charlotte is a little girl who suffered from an untreatable form of epilepsy. By the time she was two years old, her parents had tried all medications to cure her some of which almost killed her. She suffered nearly fifty seizures a night. Her parents managed to get her a medical marijuana card in Colorado. Her parents reported her seizures stopped after her first dose of cannabis oil. Charlotte came out of her catatonic state and met her parents for the first time. CNN featured Charlotte and documented her story. Some parents have turned to medical marijuana to treat their children of the incapacitating epilepsy. Doctors are attributing the drug with reducing seizure activity and bringing alleviation to epileptics. According to an article written by K. Pickert (2014), an innovative clinical trial is about to commence. This clinical trial may finally afford some science to support their assertions...
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...epilepsies allowing her to grow and learn for the first time in five years. (Gupta, 2013) This is just one of many ways marijuana has helped people with their diagnosis and has continued to work. In 1930 medicinal marijuana was put on the Schedule 1 list for narcotics by Harry J. Anslinger, the Commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN). Decades later, after marijuana became illegal, states around America are starting to take a new position on the drug and have legalized marijuana. Knowing this, people around the nation are still hesitant of pro-legalization and the Federal Government is taking little interest in the matter. The legalization of marijuana would increase crop cultivation in America, provide jobs for those in need during this economic downfall, and decrease the amount of criminal activity involved with the use and distribution of marijuana. Before marijuana was made illegal by the FBN and before the roaring twenties, marijuana cultivation produced valuable products such as paper, rope, canvas, and textiles. Canvas is a Dutch word in which its meaning is cannabis, hemp or marijuana. All around the world professionals are finding ways to recycle materials in order to avoid cutting down trees and greenhouse gasses. These professionals are aware of hemp and its increase production, for example; an acre of hemp can produce four times more paper than...
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...Should marijuana be used as a medical option? Should marijuana be used as a medical option? Researchers suggest that marijuana’s active components are potentially effective in treating pain, nausea, and vomiting. Anti-emetics are also effective against vomiting and nausea; doctors can also prescribe painkillers to treat pain if necessary. Why should the United States need to legalize marijuana? Chronic use of marijuana can have negative effects. Prolonged use of marijuana can cause lung damage, mental health issues, impair cognitive abilities, there is a high potential for abuse and it is illegal. Medical marijuana should not be used for medical purposes because it does more harm than good. Any type of smoke, when it is inhaled into the lungs, is unhealthy. Smoke comes from burning gases and materials that travel into the air. They are poisons, toxins or irritants that cause the lungs to become inflamed. (Allina Health, 2012) This damages the airways and stops oxygen from getting into your blood which can cause respiratory failure. Inhaled smoke can also reach and damage other parts of the body like the heart, brain, liver and kidneys. In a 1988 paper, Tashkin and his colleagues report attempted to establish that marijuana smoke produces more toxic chemical release than tobacco smoke. Marijuana smoking resulted in a tar burden to the respiratory tract that was 3.5 to 4.5 times greater than that produced by tobacco smoking in the same subjects. Furthermore, smoking...
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...DRUG TRAFFICKING 1. Marijuana and Cocaine Trafficking in the United States DRUG TRAFFICKING 2. This research paper is on Marijuana and Cocaine trafficking in the United States. It is a very interested topic to learn about. There are several people who’s in prison for drug trafficking. This research will define the problems with drug trafficking, it will also explain who it affects and how it affects them. Drug trafficking in the United States can go far and wind. “It is the commercial exchange of drugs and drug paraphernalia. This excludes any equipment used to manufacture illegal drugs or use them,” (Jessica Cook, ehow.com 2011). One of the largest problems that drug trafficking creates is the financial cost on society; for example in 2002 drug related cost society were estimated at $180.9 billion, which is divided between various cost like health care and productivity lose according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Cocaine and Marijuana both brings an increase in violence and criminal activities, even though the level of violence associated with Cocaine trafficking does not compare to the rampant violence of the 1980s when the crack epidemic was at its worst. Drug trafficking can also lead to death both directly and indirectly. In fact between 1991 and 2000, 33 of our officers were killed during drug related operations. In 1993-1997 the F.B.I. details that on an average...
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...about the legalization of Marijuana. But before you judge too quickly, it’s hard to deny all the good this plant could do. Whether it be the broad range of jobs it could create, the tax profits it would bring to the government, or even the medical miracles surfacing around the nation. Marijuana is safe, safer in fact than most other prescribed medications to treat the same symptoms. This plant is growing vastly in the medical field and replacing many addictive narcotics prescribed by doctors. Medical marijuana is available in several different forms. It can be smoked, vaporized, ingested in a pill form or an edible version can be added to foods such as brownies, cookies and chocolate bars. While more than 17.6 million Americans are addicted to alcohol according to the NIAAA, only 9% of heavy pot users are at risk of becoming addicted. Unlike alcohol, you can’t overdose on cannabis and early research shows there are very few long-term effects of smoking pot. Studies show that for some users, perhaps as many as 10 per cent, cannabis leads to psychological dependence, but there is little evidence that it carries a risk of true addiction. Unlike for nicotine, alcohol and hard drugs, there is no definite withdrawal syndrome, the sign of true addiction, when use of marijuana has stopped. Also unlike cigarette smokers, most users do not take the drug on a daily basis, and usually abandon it in their twenties or thirties. Some would say that medical marijuana is not a safe and could...
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