Cannabis and Marijuana Essay

Marijuana
Courtney Furman
Western Michigan University

Abstract
Marijuana. Also known as weed, pot, kush, mary jane ect. This drug was first used as an agent for feeling euphoria since ancient times. The first direct reference to a cannabis Plant dates back to 2737 BC. It was used as a medication for rheumatism, gout, malaria, absent-mindedness. In India it was used for recreational purposes. The Muslims also used it recreationally. It was the Muslims who introduced hashish, which is another part of the Cannabis plant. This became popular very quickly and spread throughout Persia Iran and North Africa. In the 1920's marijuana began to become more popular. Many historians say it came about through Prohibition. At this time it was only used for recreational use by jazz musicians and people in show business. Tea pads (Marijuana clubs) were in every major city. These clubs were popular because marijuana was not illegal yet. Marijuana was listed in the United States Pharmacopeia from 1850 until 1942 and was prescribed for various conditions including labor pains, nausea, and rheumatism. A campaign conducted in the 1930s by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Narcotics wanted to portray marijuana as a very powerful, addicting drug. Till this day it is still considered a "gateway" drug by some authorities. In the 1960s it was used by many college students and hippies and became a symbol of rebellion against authority. The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 classified marijuana a Schedule 1 drug. Meaning it has a relatively high abuse potential and can’t be used for medical use. Colombia and Mexico was the main supplier at this time. Beginning in 1982 the Drug Enforcement Administration increased their attention to marijuana farms in the United States and growers stitched to indoor growing of the plants. After about a decade of the use decreasing, marijuana smoking went on an upward trend once more in the early 1990s especially among teenagers.

More than 1 in 3 people in America have tried marijuana at one point in their lives. Even though occasional use isn’t harmful, weed can affect your body and mind every time it gets into your system. You can either smoke the plant's dried leaves, flowers, stems, and even the seeds. Marijuana can also be eaten. It is mixed into foods like brownies, brewed as a tea, or cookies. Weed smoke will effect almost every organ in your body also your nervous system and immune system. When you inhale the smoke your body absorbs THC right away. If eaten it takes much longer for your body to absorb the THC. Physical effects of marijuana include Dizziness, Shallow breathing, Red eyes, dilated pupils, Dry mouth, increased appetite, and Slowed reaction time. Smoking pot can leave effects on your mind. Some symptoms are distorted sense of time, random thinking, Paranoia, Anxiety, depression, Short-term forgetfulness. Long-time user can have physical withdrawal symptoms. Cravings, irritability, sleeplessness, and less appetite this only happens if you stop. A big problem that many users face is addiction. This is a Contrary to common belief. Research shows that about 9 percent of users become addicted to marijuana. This number increases because more and more people are starting at a young age. Also the people who use marijuana daily contribute to the increasing percent. Marijuana may cause problems in one’s daily life or it could make someone’s existing problems even worse. Heavy weed smokers have lower life satisfaction, poor mental and physical health, relationship problems, and less academic and career success. Medication and behavioral therapy, when combined, are important of an overall therapeutic treatment process. This process begins with detoxification, followed by the actual treatment and relapse prevention. Withdrawal symptoms are important in the beginning of the treatment. Preventing relapse is necessary for maintaining a Drug free life style. On the other hand episodes of relapse may

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Marijuana: Cannabis Essay