Marijuana in the United States
Marijuana in the United States
Marijuana can be considered the most popular and widely used illicit drug in the United States. State drug policies have changed in recent years, however many American citizens still face prosecution for the cultivation, distribution and possession of marijuana. Despite the known benefits of legalizing marijuana on the economy and crime rate, the US federal government has still not changed its policy. The United States must acknowledge and change its role in the imprisonment and suffering of innocent people by legalizing marijuana on a federal level or the ongoing counterproductive prohibition of marijuana will continue to no avail.
Marijuana is the American term for Cannabis sativa, a versatile plant that grows in temperate and tropical regions of the world (Morgan, 2011). It can adapt easily to various environments across the globe and is known to grow wild in North America (Morgan, 2011). The leaves and flowers of the marijuana plant contain tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, an intoxicating substance that ‘gives marijuana its psychoactive properties’ (Morgan, 2011).
Unlike many other illicit drugs marijuana is not considered a stimulant or a depressant. While stimulants and depressants (such as cocaine, methamphetamine, alcohol, and heroin) interact with either the serotonin, dopamine or GABA nerve receptors in the brain, the chemicals found in marijuana react in a completely different manner. They react with CB1 and CB2, a set of nerve receptors unique to the chemicals in marijuana, and to a naturally occurring neurotransmitter called anandamide (Caulkins, Hawken, Kilmer, & Kleiman, 2012). An increase in appetite, a greater appreciation for humor and a boost in creativity are all possible effects of a marijuana high due to the unique chemical reactions within the brain. However, not all marijuana highs can be enjoyable, as high doses can cause anxiety and paranoia. Many people are misinformed about the real dangers and
Marijuana can be considered the most popular and widely used illicit drug in the United States. State drug policies have changed in recent years, however many American citizens still face prosecution for the cultivation, distribution and possession of marijuana. Despite the known benefits of legalizing marijuana on the economy and crime rate, the US federal government has still not changed its policy. The United States must acknowledge and change its role in the imprisonment and suffering of innocent people by legalizing marijuana on a federal level or the ongoing counterproductive prohibition of marijuana will continue to no avail.
Marijuana is the American term for Cannabis sativa, a versatile plant that grows in temperate and tropical regions of the world (Morgan, 2011). It can adapt easily to various environments across the globe and is known to grow wild in North America (Morgan, 2011). The leaves and flowers of the marijuana plant contain tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, an intoxicating substance that ‘gives marijuana its psychoactive properties’ (Morgan, 2011).
Unlike many other illicit drugs marijuana is not considered a stimulant or a depressant. While stimulants and depressants (such as cocaine, methamphetamine, alcohol, and heroin) interact with either the serotonin, dopamine or GABA nerve receptors in the brain, the chemicals found in marijuana react in a completely different manner. They react with CB1 and CB2, a set of nerve receptors unique to the chemicals in marijuana, and to a naturally occurring neurotransmitter called anandamide (Caulkins, Hawken, Kilmer, & Kleiman, 2012). An increase in appetite, a greater appreciation for humor and a boost in creativity are all possible effects of a marijuana high due to the unique chemical reactions within the brain. However, not all marijuana highs can be enjoyable, as high doses can cause anxiety and paranoia. Many people are misinformed about the real dangers and
References: Berlatsky, N. (2012). Marijuana Opposing Viewpoints Series. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press. Caulkins, J. P., Hawken, A., Kilmer, B., & Kleiman, M. A. (2012). Marijuana Legalization What Everyone Needs to Know. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013, January 11). FastStats Alcohol Use. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/faststat/alcohol.htm Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013, January 3). Smoking and Tobacco Use. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheet/cessation/quitting/index.htm Martin, W. (2009, October). Texas Highways. Texas Monthly, 37(10), 148-348. Morgan, K. (2011). Legalizing Marijuana. Edina, MN: ABDO Publishing Company. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2010, December). DrugFacts: Drugged Driving. Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/drugged-driving