Benefits of Marijuana
Benefits of Marijuana
Today’s society judges marijuana by all of its negative effects, but what about all of the positives? They are commonly overlooked. Marijuana is a very versatile plant that has been used in many applications over the past 12,000 years, from spiritual purposes to making cars. Lets take a look at some of the positives, and you can form your own opinion about whether marijuana is a friend or menace.
Marijuana has been used for centuries for medicinal purposes. It was sold legally until 1937 as a nerve tonic. It is used legally today, as a prescription, to treat pain associated with multiple sclerosis and glaucoma.(Ziegler, Jan) Many patients claim that it also treats pain associated with other medical treatment, and say that no other pharmaceutical helps. The plant has been shown to increase appetite, which is helpful for AIDS patients who can’t eat or hold down food. Marijuana helps with many other disorders such as depression. Lester Grinspoon, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard School of Medical says, “I think cannabis has a lot of potential in the treatment of mental illness.” (alternet.org, paragraph 4)
Marijuana is also used for spiritual purposes in many different cultures. Some Hindus use it to offer sacrifices to their minor deities. A Hindu scripture known as the Shastras states, "The god Shiva says to Parvati-- 'Oh, goddess Parvati, hear the benefits derived from bhang.” (druglibrary.net, paragraph 19) Rastafarians also believe Marijuana plays a strong part in spirituality. They believe smoking it is reveals the truth to themselves by changing their perspective. They see it not only as a plant, but as the Tree of Life referred to in the Bible. (Owens, Joseph)
Marijuana is a strain of cannabis almost identical to hemp. The only difference is hemp is marijuana with a fraction of the Tetrahydrocannabinol, the active intoxicating compound. The hemp plants are a good thing for the new “green” movement. The plants are slender and
Today’s society judges marijuana by all of its negative effects, but what about all of the positives? They are commonly overlooked. Marijuana is a very versatile plant that has been used in many applications over the past 12,000 years, from spiritual purposes to making cars. Lets take a look at some of the positives, and you can form your own opinion about whether marijuana is a friend or menace.
Marijuana has been used for centuries for medicinal purposes. It was sold legally until 1937 as a nerve tonic. It is used legally today, as a prescription, to treat pain associated with multiple sclerosis and glaucoma.(Ziegler, Jan) Many patients claim that it also treats pain associated with other medical treatment, and say that no other pharmaceutical helps. The plant has been shown to increase appetite, which is helpful for AIDS patients who can’t eat or hold down food. Marijuana helps with many other disorders such as depression. Lester Grinspoon, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard School of Medical says, “I think cannabis has a lot of potential in the treatment of mental illness.” (alternet.org, paragraph 4)
Marijuana is also used for spiritual purposes in many different cultures. Some Hindus use it to offer sacrifices to their minor deities. A Hindu scripture known as the Shastras states, "The god Shiva says to Parvati-- 'Oh, goddess Parvati, hear the benefits derived from bhang.” (druglibrary.net, paragraph 19) Rastafarians also believe Marijuana plays a strong part in spirituality. They believe smoking it is reveals the truth to themselves by changing their perspective. They see it not only as a plant, but as the Tree of Life referred to in the Bible. (Owens, Joseph)
Marijuana is a strain of cannabis almost identical to hemp. The only difference is hemp is marijuana with a fraction of the Tetrahydrocannabinol, the active intoxicating compound. The hemp plants are a good thing for the new “green” movement. The plants are slender and
Cited: Ziegler, Jan. “Up in Smoke.” Hospitals and Health Networks 71.12 (1997) Julin, Brian S. Cannabis FAQ. 1994. The Vaults of Erowid. 1 February 2009 <http://www.erowid.org/plants/cannabis/cannabis_faq1.shtml#1-15> Owens, Joseph. Dread: The Rastafarians of Jamaica. Exeter: Heinemann,1982 Dawdy, Philip. Mental Marijuana. 2004. Alternet Drug Reporter. 2 February 2009 <http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/19687/> Hemp Plastic. 2 February 2009. <http://www.hempplastic.com/newSite/hp_aboutplastics_fordcar.htm> Indian Hemp Drugs Commission Report. Shaffer Library of Drug Policy. 2 February 2009 <http://www.druglibrary.net/schaffer/Library/studies/inhemp/4chapt9.htm>