Gianfranco Sanges
Psychology 1
11-30-2014
Dr. Davis
THE PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND THE LGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA The numerous different sativa strains all share a majority of the same characteristics. Cannabis Sativa is probably the most common form of cannabis worldwide and also the type with the most applications. Sativas are a tall, upright growing plant, growing to a known maximum of 12 feet. The high Sativas produce are a more uplifting and airy high, focused mainly upon the cerebral cortex giving the patient a more energetic feeling. The Sativa Strains tend to not yield as much Marijuana as its opposite Indica species. Cannabis Indica is generally agreed to have originated on the Asian subcontinent or possibly Afghanistan. Lamarck, the first European botanist to classify this type, received his samples from India and dubbed the plant Cannabis Indica in recognition of that fact. It is a less commonly used form type of Marijuana and has less medical benefits. These are their similarities: The typical example of Cannabis Indica is a more compact, thick-stemmed bush than its cousins, usually reaching a height of less than six feet; Indicas tend to produce more body-centered effects than Sativas; enhancements of physical sensations, relaxation, dry mouth, red eyes. During a harvest, a Cannabis Indica plant will yield up to 23% more Marijuana than a Sativa plant can. The chemical components of Cannabis are known as Cannabinoids. Cannabinoids activate specific receptors found throughout the body to produce pharmacologic effects, particularly in the central nervous system and the immune system. Tetrahydrocannibinol (THC) is the most commonly known cannabinoid, mainly used for its psychoactive purpose. In Contrast, however, most cannabinoids are used for a variety of medical purposes. These ones are usually known as Cannabigerols (CBG); Cannabichromenes (CBC); Cannabidiols (CBD); Cannabinol (CBN) and cannabinodiol (CBDL) and other cannabinoids (such as cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabielsoin (CBE), cannabitriol (CBT) and other miscellaneous types). The evidence is overwhelming that marijuana can relieve certain types of pain, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms caused by such illnesses as multiple sclerosis, cancer and AIDS or by the harsh drugs sometimes used to treat them. And it can do so with remarkable safety. Indeed, marijuana is less toxic than many of the drugs that physicians prescribe every day. According to a study published in Journal of the American Medical Association in January 2012, marijuana does not impair lung function and can even increase lung capacity. As of August 2014, no ailments, deaths or medical issues have occurred directly because of Marijuana use. Although about 7 million people in the US population use marijuana at least weekly, there is an insufficient amount of scientific data on persistent neurocognitive effects of marijuana use. Only 6% of all research collected upon Marijuana is in fact in correlation with its negative health effects. All researchers know as of today is that very heavy use of marijuana is associated with persistent decrements in neurocognitive performance even after 28 days of abstinence. It is unclear if these decrements will resolve with continued abstinence or become progressively worse with continued heavy marijuana use. Over the past eight years, there have been more than 110 bills that were attempted to go through congress, however died inevitably on Capitol Hill. Only since 2008 has the American population seen
