We live in a chemical world, in this pharmaceutical day and age. Many of these chemicals can have deleterious effects on health, while others are as harmless as some of the endogenous chemicals of the body, such as our endorphins.
The pharmaceutical that I have chosen to expound upon requires no formal introduction, as it is ubiquitously known. Whether we like it or not, cannabis is a household name. Or perhaps one might be a mite more familiar with its less Latin name --WEED.
What's my position? I'd delight in telling you. I hope to, through the presentation of objective information, and humoured opinion, demonstrate that Mary Jane isn't as evil as people mention her to be. I am not implying her innocence, as much as I'm alluding to the undue derision she faces. Should one be qualified to judge? Well, I'd venture to say hell yes (no pun intended on the devil's lettuce). If someone wishes to offer opinions opposing its medicinal and/or recreational use, I'd at least like for them to have invested time in research. I will concede in advance, that requiring someone to have had used marijuana before they are qualified to opine against it, hints at bias. Therefore, research and conversation shall suffice. Telling someone not to do something because it is bad, is a very impoverished reason not to do something. Some things necessitate a bit of elaboration.
What is marijuana?
As mentioned in past lines, marijuana is known in the botanical world as Cannabis Sativa and Cannabis Indica. It is possible to hybridize the said two to produce a multitude of other strains. These two seem to be the main bunch.
Sativas are known to grow much taller than Indicas, reaching just over four metres. Indicas are the denser, bushier of the two, and reportedly cause a different euphoria than Sativa. This is due to it having different concentrations of the cannabinoid CBD --one of the chemicals that will be an instrumental part of the coming lines.
What causes the high (euphoria)?
Behind the scenes and smoke screen, there are a few things known as cannabinoids that induce that psychoactive effects on the brain. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is likely the most familiar cannabinoid to persons who use marijuana, and to those who enforce legislation against it; THC is the main psychoactive cannabinoid in the plant. When THC is derived from plants, its deemed a phytocannabinoid, and is to be called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. I mention this because there's a form of cannabinoid in another well known place -- the human body. They are called endocannabinoids, produced endogenously by us and other animals (yes you are an animal, get over it, Go Darwin!).
Another cannabinoid contributing psychoactively is Cannabidiol, often writen shorthandedly as CBD. It comes second in being the most plentiful cannabinoid in marijuana. CBD has slightly different influences, in that it is psychoactive, but not quite intoxicating. Yes that is possible. When seeking marijuana for medicinal use, such a characteristic might be attractive to persons looking to mitigate their medical woes without experiencing a high. Speaking of medicinal use, cannabis offers a sincere promise, in respect to it being a treatment for an array of ailments.
Medical Application:
Researchers at the University of California Center for Medicinal cannabis Research have been diligently at work studying the notorious plant. And as you may suspect, or perhaps not, the "buzz" is actually true--that cannabis indeed proves itself in the field of medicine.
Regarding pain, cannabis demonstrated not only that it can quell pain, but also augment the effects of prescription medication. A doctor at UC San Francsco (Dr. Donald Abrams), and one from UC San Diego (Dr. Ronald Ellis), found this to be true when marijuna was administered to HIV and AIDS patients. The subjects reported a significant decrease in pain--pain that could be brought about by the simplest of stimuli.
In another blog post, I spoke of a handful of unfortunate truths tethered to cancer. I then attempted to elevate spirits by bringing the news of the latest scientific research aimed at eradicating cancer, to the eye of the everyday person--my two readers. Stem cells were the good news then.
As of now, it is cannabinoids. In numerous studies, they showed remarkable ability to restore appetite in terminal cancer battling patients. One particular study, led by Dr. Wendy Wismer of the University of Alberta, provides an appreciable illustration. In her study, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, and a placebo was administered to a 21 person group. Intuitive to many of us, the ones who were treated with THC experiened a heightened appreciation of food. For those who lack the desire to nourish themselves, due to cancer, or the powerful medicines used to treat it, this is a wonderful thing.
Scientists have discovered that CBD alone has tons of rewarding properties and uses, remember--we cannot point the scolding finger at its use as an excuse to get stoned; CBD differs from THC in a notable way. It's much less intoxicating. Some even use such language as "non intoxicating".
Cannabidiol has been found to have anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), anti-inflammatory, anti-pain, and anti-spasm properties. Its anti-spasm properties has earned the attention of many doctors who believe that it could treat epilepsy. It does. However, the government doesn't see it this way.
What the GOVERNMENT say:
It is as simple as this: the government has their arms folded like a tot coming down off a temper tantrum. Cannabis is illegal in almost every state in the U.S. Whitehouse.gov maintains that marijuana is a harmful, schedule 1 drug. By definition, a schedule 1 drug has high potential for abuse, and hasn't any currently accepted medical use in the united states. Well, most politicians aren't scientists, science advocates, or doctors. It isn't requisite that they are. But it would be appreciated if some of them didn't keep their minds so debilitatingly closed.
The website goes on to explain how heavy, "chronic" use of the drug can be problematic, with regards to health. From what orifice are they speaking? Researchers and decent persons of sound minds, aren't endorsing massive, "chronic" use. If you understand that your bottle of Centrum helps to promote good health, and you ingst the entire contents of the bottle, then you are an imbecile.
I urge the government, on a federal level, to go a step farther than legislation. They should take huge leaps in educating themselves in the groundbreaking advancements in science, and find the key that they seemed to have misplaced, the moment they closed their minds. Maybe then they could be more qualified in disseminating mandates, and general information to the American people. We need to know more than what we are forbidden to do.
Now, guess who is a perfect candidate for a urinalysis now--this guy. Oh well, I've gone to the loo in court before. And I did it pro se.
-sreehc, Derrick Antonio
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