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The Controversy: The Legalization Of Marijuana

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The Controversy: The Legalization Of Marijuana
The use of marijuana as a medical option has a controversy not only to the medical community but to the public as well. The government has enacted its war on drugs for years now and still places marijuana as a schedule 1 drug even when there are numerous studies that prove it to be beneficial. Marijuana in natural form is known as Cannabis sativa. Cannabis has been around for many years, dating back to 28th Century as well as to the Egyptians. The use of marijuana before the 20th century is well documented and effective, however will the legalization of marijuana for medical use be beneficial? In order for society to be properly informed and to take the correct action against or for the use of marijuana in medical; in 1997 the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy asked the Institute of Medicine to assess the benefits and risks of the drug.
The brain has many neurotransmitters related to different emotions such as serotonin, acetylcholine, norepinephrine, dopamine and GABA. Each neurotransmitter has a receptor site in the brain. Cannabis has psychoactive chemical properties, more than 100 of these properties are categorized as cannabinoids. The human body
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Compared to these drugs, marijuana studies have also shown that withdrawal symptoms aren’t as severe. However due to the stigma that follows marijuana, it is classified as a schedule 1 drug. Marijuana contains cannabinoids known as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (Cannabidiol). THC is known for the euphoric feeling and CBD is not a psychoactive drug so it will not create that “high” feeling. Instead the CBD has known to provide the medical effects desired such as, antiemetic, anticonvulsant, antidepressants, and anti-inflammatory effects without the undesired effects brought on by THC. (5 Differences Between CBD and

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