12.11.2013 Marijuana: drug or medication
MARIJUANA: DRUG OR MEDICATION
SCHOOL PROJECT
Picture1: A leaveofmarijuana
12.11.2013
Mentors: prof. Maja Gerdenand prof. Sonja Artač
Jaka Arh and Urban Žnidaršič, 2.C
ABSTRACT
Marijuana is one of the most abused drugs in the world. Its ability to alleviate pain and other symptoms of different diseases has triggered questions whether or not should it be used for medical intensions. In this project work we will introduce the positive and negative effects on the users, the laws that delegalize marijuana and the general public opinion on legalization of it.
Table ofcontents
ABSTRACT
WHAT IS MARIJUANA?
FREQUENCY OF THE DRUG
The laws
HOW DOES MARIJUANA AFFECT THE HUMAN BODY?
Positive and negative effects
MARIJUANA AS MEDICATION
WHAT IS MARIJUANA?
Marijuana is green, brown or grey mix of dried and cut parts of plant Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica. It is the most commonly abused illegal drug in America, Europe and also in our country. Marijuana contains THC which is the main chemical substance that changes the behaviour of the human brain. It’s mostly used in four different forms: usual marijuana, sensimilla, hashish and hashish oil. The last three have a much higher rate of THC than the first one. Usually it is used as hand-rolled cigarette (joint) or in water pipe (bong). Some users mix it in their food or make tea out of it.
Picture2: Jointabout to berolled
FREQUENCY OF THE DRUG
It is estimated that in Europe 80.5 million (23.7%) of population between ages of 15 and 64 have used marijuana in their lifetime, but the drug is mostly popular in teenage circles. In Slovenia, 23 % of teenagers, aged 15 or 16, have tried marijuana in their life. The drug is very easily accessible, Slovenian teenagers mostly get their hands on it on streets or in parks, but also in schools. The price for one gram is between 3 and 25 €.
The laws
The laws in European states about marijuana are very different. For instance, in Czech Republic (the most drug tolerant state in Europe) you can possess 15 grams of marijuana. But in France you can be sent to jail for one year just for being caught smoking it and if they discover that you are growing one or more plants, it is possible you will find yourself behind bars for the next 20 years. In Slovenia using of marijuana is not illegal, but possession is. The punishment for possession of smaller quantities or drug for personal use is between 42 and 209 €. If you are caught with bigger quantities, the punishment is between 209 and 626 €.
Picture3: Confiscationofmarijuana
HOW DOES MARIJUANA AFFECT THE HUMAN BODY?
As THC enters the brain, it causes the user to feel euphoric as it bonds to anandamid, a chemical, which naturally forms in human brain. THC starts to affect the part of the brain for learning, memory and emotions. This explains why the user, who is currently under the effect of marijuana, has problems with memory, concentration and disturbance of critical thinking.
Positive and negative effects
Marijuana can cause psychological substance dependence. If the user has been using marijuana for a longer period of time, he can develop raised tolerance for drug. This causes the so called amotivational syndrome. This is recognized as slowed down movement and unresponsiveness for developments in the environment. Sometimes they don’t even notice that their friends are telling them something. Usually they are unusually talkative, they have laughing seizures, their pupils are dilated, eyes inflamed and red, they feel hunger and they wish to eat something sweet. Marijuana isn’t considered as a drug that causes physical dependence, but it is very likely that you transit from it to drugs that do cause physical dependence.
Positive: mood improvement, relaxation, creative thinking, sharpened senses, pleasant feelings, pain alleviation, reduction of feeling of sickness.
Negative: slowed down thinking, physical tiredness, sickness, breathing problems, increased heart beat, headache and paranoia.
The difference between positive and negative effects is the concentration of THC in the plant.
MARIJUANA AS MEDICATION
Cannabinoids are THC and to it related substances in marijuana that have proven to improve the patient’s state with different diseases and health problems,multiple sclerosisbeing among them are.
They also help to alleviate pain after operations, tumor removals and also so called phantom pain after limb amputation. This also works in combination with other analgesics.
Synthetic THC, created in laboratories, has also been proven to help against sickness and vomiting that appear as side effects of chemotherapy and also to increase cancer patient’s appetite.
Cannabinoids also help with asthma, though the other chemicals in smoke from marijuana could provoke an asthmatic seizure.
Researchers are developing a way to obtain cannabinoids, which would only keep their good properties.
Picture4: Sign ''medicalmarijuana''
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