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The Addictiveness of Cannabis: A Review of the literature

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The Addictiveness of Cannabis: A Review of the literature
ADDICTIVENESS OF CANNABIS

The Addictiveness of Cannabis:
A Review of the literature

Zachary Gill
Southern Oregon University
University Seminar
June 2, 2014
ADDICTIVENESS OF CANNABIS

Abstract
As a country, we have been fighting and struggling with the war on drugs since the turn of the century. In recent times two states, Washington and Colorado, have legalized cannabis for recreational use with the same stipulations as alcohol. It seems to be that the general public has begun to accept cannabis as a “recreational drug”. While the federal government does not recognize cannabis as a legal drug in these states, the states are allowed to govern themselves with laws passed within the state. This literature review inspects four significant studies in regards to cannabis and the possible addictive nature of that plant. Studies include a 2003 report, a 2008 study, and a 2010 study. Also a 2013 review article in the Hawai’i Journal of Medicine and Public Health. Significant analyses of the literature find that, though against the general public’s view, the studies prove to show withdrawal symptoms may be present in users of heavy consumption, treatment seeking individuals, and users seeking treatment with documented depression.

ADDICTIVENESS OF CANNABIS

The Addictiveness of Cannabis: A Review of the Literature

Cannabis, or better known as marijuana, is becoming a topic widely discussed among major talk shows, news broadcasts, and in everyday discussion. Although as a country we have legalized it in two states (Washington and Colorado), our federal government still recognizes its central standpoint under the Uniform State Narcotics Drug Act (1934), because of the lack of restrictions in the Harrison Act of 1914. According to McKenna (2014), the act was a revenue-producing act and while it provided penalties for violations, it did not give authority to the states to exercise police power regarding either seizure of drugs used in illicit



References: Cornelius, J. R., Chung, T., Martin, C., Wood, D. S., & Clark, D. B. (2008). Cannabis withdrawal is common among treatment-seeking adolescents with cannabis dependence and major depression, and is associated with rapid relapse to dependence Crowley, T. (2007). Adolececents and Substance Use Didorders (pp. 203-220). N.p.: American Psychiatric Association. Fluoxetine. (2014, June 5). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from  http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fluoxetine&oldid=611699847 McKenna, G. J. (2014). The current status of medical marijuana in the United States. Hawai 'i Journal of Medicine & Public Health, 73(4), 105. Retrieved from http://McKennaRecoveryCenter.com Hemp for Victory effect. Addiction, 97(12), 1493-1504. doi: 10.1046/j.1360-0443.2002.00280.x Zuckerman, B., Frank, D H. (1989). Effects of maternal marijuana and cocaine use on fetal growth. New England Journal of Medicine, 320(12), 762-768

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