The Controversy Over Marijuana - Research Paper Example

The Controversy Over Marijuana The use of drugs in society has been documented back to ancient times. Sometimes, the uses of drugs were used for recreation and in others it served a spiritual purpose such as being able to communicate with the deities of their religion. In these times, these drugs were developed from that of natural derivatives such as flora and fungi. As human society progressed and gained a more scientific understanding of how drugs affect our body, we were able to learn how to synthesize synthetic versions of the drug. Some of these were deemed for medicinal purposes, but soon other parts of the population began synthesizing recreational versions of the drug. Legislation was then passed and the creation of the FDA was created in order to oversee and regulate these drugs (Lowinson, Ruiz, Millman, & Langrod, 2005). One of the biggest debates in the United States regarding a specific kind of drug has been whether it should be deemed legalized or whether it should remain illegal. This drug, Cannabis, has sparked such a controversy that many people are ambivalent about whether it should be legalized or not. In order to make an informed decision as far as whether Marijuana should be legalized or not, there are some key notes and facts that must be noted about the drug. Marijuana is a drug which originates from the Cannabis plant. This is the first argument regarding the legalization of the drug is that it occurs in nature without human intervention or alteration. Marijuana originally is from Central and South Asia (ElSohly, 2007). Through trading and the expansion of humanity across the world, it was only a fact that the use of the drug would spread through trade. Its psychoactive properties are what made it such a valuable plant in that it was used in many rituals which involved the transcendence of the soul and allowed communication with other states of being (Booth, 2003). In the United States, the largest uses of marijuana have been from the so called “Hippie era” to even now. The use of marijuana was criminalized in the 1900s, but has recently leaded to some states wanting to make an exception for the use of marijuana for only medicinal purposes. Most notably, this controversy over some states making the use of marijuana for medical purposes has lead to the issue of an old problem which plagued America even at the founding, the issue of the right’s of the states versus the power of the federal system. This was seen when California legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes and the federal government stepped in to declare the law null and void because federal law superseded it. The biggest problem with marijuana is the fact that it is a schedule I drug. Schedule I drugs are described by: having a high potential for abuse, having no acceptable medical use or value, and there is a lack of acceptable safety for the drug. The controversy around this is that it has been proven through medical science that the THC in marijuana does have medicinal properties. There has also never been a case of overdose or death relating to the THC in marijuana. Another characteristic of schedule I drugs is that they are supposed to have almost no access to the public, yet marijuana is one of the most commonly used illicit substances not only in the United States, but in the world as well. Cannabis also comes in a variety of forms besides as the basic plant. There are four different common types in which it is processed: kief, hashish, hash oil, and resin. Kief is the resin glands which are collected from the Cannabis plant. As a result, the THC content is extremely potent in this form of marijuana. Hashish is created out of compressed stalk resin glands which can come in a variety of colors. The THC content is also high in hashish in comparison to other forms of marijuana. Hash oil is when marijuana is combined with other spices and herbs to usually form a compound which has the consistency of a thick liquid. Hash oil has probably one of the most variability in uses such as it can be smoked, mixed with food, vaporized, etc. Resin is what remains usually after marijuana has been smoked. It has the consistency of tar and has minimal amounts of THC. It is typically only used when other forms of Cannabis are unavailable to the user in which case this can show dependency when a person relies on this form (Dewick, 2009). The social stigma on marijuana is associated with bloodshot eyes and a glazed look that marks the absence of almost no intelligent activity, but what is the drug actually doing? It is important to look at the pharmacokinetics of the drug and how this can be an advantage/disadvantage. The primary absorption of marijuana is done orally in a smoke able form. The primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana which creates the euphoric and hallucinogenic effect is THC, or Tetrahydrocannabinol. There are many metabolites which brake down this chemical in the human body and help it readily pass the blood brain barrier which is where the drug interaction begins. The selectivity in the body for marijuana is extremely important because it is the only known compound that has specifically designed interacting cites named CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are concentrated mostly at the brain and the CB2 receptors are located in peripheral systems (Meyer, & Quenzer, 2005). This is why marijuana has such a large impact on cognition and perception in humans. THC also acts in an inhibitory and excitatory manner with the secretion of the neurotransmitters GABA and glutamate which can cause both the effects that marijuana is known for: sedation and the euphoric effect (Doweiko, 2009). THC is also stored in many parts of the body once it is broken down. It can be stored in the adipose, muscle, tissues, etc. Often in prosecutions, the THC counts can be found in using sampling techniques such as urine sampling and looking at hair follicles. Depending on the person’s usage of marijuana, metabolic levels, and other lifestyle choices, marijuana can remain in a person’s system from a couple days to a few weeks. One of the reasons for the legalization of marijuana has been due to its medical uses. There have been studies which have shown that the use of marijuana has been useful in helping treat many different types of illness as well as relieving pain. This is because the THC in marijuana can not only effect the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain, but it can also effect receptors near the base of the spinal cord as well as other pain receptors in the body. This is why it is effective against relieving pain. The THC in marijuana has been proven to be effective against combating nausea as well as constipation. Marijuana also stimulates the hypothalamus, which help controls eating habits in the brain. In particular, this helps those that are going through chemotherapy to restore their appetite to gain weight (Mack, & Joy, 2001). The biggest criticism in favor of medicinal marijuana has been in its treatment of brain cancer. It was shown that THC actually attacks cancer cells, while leaving healthy brain cells intact (Salazar, &. Salanueva, 2009). Another reason is the legal pressures and money which are being put into combating crime. Millions of dollars in federal and state funding are spent in the processing and imprisonment of criminals dealing with marijuana. By legalizing, we will be freeing up all of this funding and freeing up space in order to place more dangerous criminals in there. In addition, the millions that are used for incarcerating those of using and/or possessing marijuana can be used to help fund healthcare or our education system. Also, legalization will free up the current police force and allow them to focus on other crimes that would otherwise have to be tabled due to marijuana based activity. It would also decrease the amount of illegal drug trafficking which can hopefully lead to a decrease on gang activity and other illegal activities (Gerber, 2004). There are also many reasons why marijuana should not be legalized. There is a theory that states marijuana as a “gateway drug” (Iversen, 2008). This is due to the prevalence of the comorbidity associated with the use of controlled substances such as tobacco and alcohol with other illegal substances- why should marijuana be treated any different. In addition, there are many effects of marijuana which are unknown. In addition, there are many different forms and types of Cannabis. The effects of each different type are not fully documented. This is due to the fact that in particular in the United States, the fact that it is illegal makes it hard to obtain not only the marijuana for testing, but the paperwork and procedures in order to secure this research is extremely hard to obtain. Much of the research which goes into the effects of marijuana comes from other countries such as Spain and Amsterdam where the use of marijuana recreationally and for medicine is condoned. The issues regarding the use of marijuana and legalization in the United States are diverse and varied. While it seems like a black and white issue, there are many different variables and factors which are required to take into consideration. History and legal doctrine dictates that it is bad and should not be accessible to the public. Science and culture condones the use of marijuana due to its recreational and medicinal properties. In order to decide whether legalization is a viable fact, further researches into the specific effects of marijuana are required as well as learning how the United States can regulate and produce its own marijuana for distribution recreationally. References Booth, Martin. (2003). Cannabis: a history. New York, NY: Picador. Dewick, P. (2009). Medicinal natural products: a biosynthetic approach . United Kingdom: Wiley. Doweiko, H. (2009). Concepts of chemical dependency. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning. ElSohly, M. (2007). Marijuana and the cannabinoids. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press. Gerber, R. (2004). Legalizing marijuana: drug policy reform and prohibition politics. Westport, CT: Praeger. Iversen, L. (2008). The science of marijuana. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Lowinson, J, Ruiz, P, Millman, R, & Langrod, J. (2005). Substance abuse: a comprehensive textbook. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Mack, A, & Joy, J. (2001). Marijuana as medicine?: the science beyond the controversy. Washington D.C.: National Academy Press. Meyer, J, & Quenzer, L. (2005). Psychopharmacology: drugs, the brain, and behavior. Sinauer. Salazar M, Carracedo A, Salanueva IJ, et al. (May 2009). "Cannabinoid action induces autophagy-mediated cell death through stimulation of ER stress in human glioma cells". The Journal of Clinical Investigation 119 (5): 1359–72. doi:10.1172/JCI37948. Read More