Marijuana, the History the Concept
Jayson Reynolds 1499882
Prof. B. Gonzales
Mar. 10, 2010
CJ Public Policy
Marijuana
The History, The Concept
Abstract
Marijuana in today’s society is a drug of extreme interest. There are many social aspects to why we have people who use and abuse the drug. Marijuana has had a long history in the world as a drug of great profit and benefit to some. In this paper we will discuss what makes up the drug marijuana, the history of how the plant came about and its impact on America. We will also talk about how marijuana is used in medicinal purposes, the legal aspects pertaining to marijuana and the why it is considered by most as a gateway drug. There are many different views towards the drug and a lot of different perspectives to consider when studying and researching. In today’s society some are all for the plant for beneficial purposes but most are against having the drug in our society because they see it as a nuisance to society.
The Drug Marijuana, also known as cannabis, weed, and ganja refers to any number of preparations of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug. The most common form of cannabis used as a drug is the dried herbal form. The typical form of marijuana consists of flowers the leaves and the stalks of the mature female plants. The residue form of the drug is called hashish or hash. The major active chemical found in marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC. There is also at least 66 other chemicals found in the drug as well such as cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN) and tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), which are believed to result in different effects than those of THC alone. Marijuana is much more potent today than it was in the '60s and '70s when the THC content ranged from .3 percent to 3 percent. Today the THC content is typically 5-10 percent but can reach as high as 30 percent with high-tech growing methods. Within a few minutes of smoking marijuana a person may feel intoxicated and hypnotic
Prof. B. Gonzales
Mar. 10, 2010
CJ Public Policy
Marijuana
The History, The Concept
Abstract
Marijuana in today’s society is a drug of extreme interest. There are many social aspects to why we have people who use and abuse the drug. Marijuana has had a long history in the world as a drug of great profit and benefit to some. In this paper we will discuss what makes up the drug marijuana, the history of how the plant came about and its impact on America. We will also talk about how marijuana is used in medicinal purposes, the legal aspects pertaining to marijuana and the why it is considered by most as a gateway drug. There are many different views towards the drug and a lot of different perspectives to consider when studying and researching. In today’s society some are all for the plant for beneficial purposes but most are against having the drug in our society because they see it as a nuisance to society.
The Drug Marijuana, also known as cannabis, weed, and ganja refers to any number of preparations of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug. The most common form of cannabis used as a drug is the dried herbal form. The typical form of marijuana consists of flowers the leaves and the stalks of the mature female plants. The residue form of the drug is called hashish or hash. The major active chemical found in marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC. There is also at least 66 other chemicals found in the drug as well such as cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN) and tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), which are believed to result in different effects than those of THC alone. Marijuana is much more potent today than it was in the '60s and '70s when the THC content ranged from .3 percent to 3 percent. Today the THC content is typically 5-10 percent but can reach as high as 30 percent with high-tech growing methods. Within a few minutes of smoking marijuana a person may feel intoxicated and hypnotic
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