Cannabis Paper
Drug Abuse and the Misuse University of Memphis Fall October 16, 2017 First off, I would like to start off by noting that the only difference between cannabis and marijuana is the actual words. There is no physical or biological difference between the two. The word marijuana is a nickname of Mexican origin and is commonly used as a reference for the recreational use of the drug. Cannabis, on the other hand, is used as a slightly more official term for the drug. A drug dealer would most like refer to the drug as marijuana, and a botanist would most likely refer to it as cannabis. The reason I bring this up is because I will sometimes interchange both words, and there is absolutely no significance to that. Marijuana has had an immense impact on human culture. As it is becoming more of the norm in everyday culture, especially in America, we should all be more educated on the uses of cannabis and how it affects our bodies. In the paragraphs to follow I will address what cannabis actually is, the effects it has on the human body and mind, and how the recent and future legalization of the drug has and will possibly affect the crime rate in today's society.
Cannabis is derived from the plant cannabis sativa. It grows wild in many warm tropical climates. It can be grown in almost any climate and with today's technological advances it can be cultivated by means of hydroponic growth indoors. FNP (2017) states, "Globally, marijuana (cannabis) is the most commonly used illicit drug. Classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance, marijuana is a mood-altering (psychoactive) drug that affects almost every organ in the body." The main ingredient in marijuana is called delta-9 tetrahydro-cannabinol, better known as THC. THC is part of the plant that gives the "high." There are multiple ways to use the drug, but commonly, marijuana is smoked by way of pipes, joints, or bongs but can also be ingested through edible foods by harnessing the THC through oil or butter. Due to the recent legalization of cannabis in certain states, many privately owned smoke shops have arisen, selling everything from paraphernalia to edibles. The THC in marijuana can be used for many things besides recreational use. It has been statistically shown to help in the medical field as a substitute for many prescription drugs. According to Hill (2011), since March of 2015, there have been 6 trials consisting of 325 patients examining chronic back, 6 trials consisting of 396 patients that examined neuropathic pain, and 12 trials consisting of 1600 patients dedicated to multiple sclerosis. Almost half of these trials had positive results, warranting the efficacious effect of marijuana or cannabinoids on pain. Cannabis has also been known to help psychological medical conditions such as depression, anxiety, etc. Marijuana has been called a gateway drug by many and is believed to lead to the use of many other hard drugs and an overall "thug" lifestyle. I will hit on how ...
