Monday, September 7, 2020

What is the truth about marijuana?

Other than alcohol, marijuana (cannabis) is the most commonly used drug in the United States. Some 39 million Americans, 12% of the population, use marijuana at least occasionally. While clearly more commonly used by adolescents and young adults, in 2018 4% of adults over 65 admitted to using it within the prior 30 days.

In the United States, the use and possession of marijuana is illegal under federal law for any purpose, by way of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. Under the CSA, cannabis is classified as a “Schedule I” substance, right up there with heroin and methamphetamine, determined to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use – thereby prohibiting even medical use of the drug. At the state level, however, policies regarding the use of cannabis vary greatly, and in many states conflict significantly with federal law. As of 2020, medical use of marijuana is legal in 33 states and the District of Columbia, and recreational use is legal in 11 more states.

What are the benefits of marijuana? What are the harms? To a large degree, we simply do not know. Marijuana is not a single substance; the plant contains at least 500 chemical substances. The best known and studied are cannabidiol (CBD) which I wrote on recently and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It is THC that has the CNS (brain) effects. Because of the federal classification of cannabis, much less research has been done than should be, and much of what you read is low quality. Many of the reputed benefits and harms arise from studying people who admit or deny use. Since use was until recently a criminal offense, self-reporting is likely to be unreliable. There is also the confounding factor of whether people who do or do not use marijuana are otherwise the same. Many of the studies claiming adverse effects on intellect are of this variety and not necessarily valid.

Another confounding factor is that the THC content of marijuana, at least that seized by the DEA, the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, has been going steadily and dramatically higher. In 1995, the average concentration of THC in seized products was 4%; in 2014 it was 12% - this is not the pot of the 1960’s!

The human brain has cannabinoid receptors, which mediate the psychoactive effects of cannabis. There are other receptors in immune cells and other tissues that may be more targeted by CBD. Acutely, the effect of THC is the “high:” euphoria, relaxation, altered sensations – and also: decreased processing speed, attention and reality testing. “Tolerance” develops quickly as the receptors are down regulated, so that daily use results in much less response.

Proven benefits of THC are limited. It has some benefit in preventing chemotherapy-related nausea and improves the appetite in many people with wasting disease such as AIDS. While it has been “approved” for pain relief in states where medical marijuana is legal, its benefits beyond those of prescription and OTC pain relievers are modest.

The headlines were dominated in August by a statement from the American Heart Association which stated that cannabis had no cardiovascular benefits but did have adverse CV effects, including arrhythmias and heart attacks. Critics noted that most of the adverse effects were anecdotes and case reports.

Inhaled marijuana products can have the same adverse effects as smoking any product. Before Covid-19, when vaping-relating lung disease was our biggest public health concern, it appeared that vaping cannabis products was particularly dangerous.

Bottom line? Cannabis is not a miracle drug. It is probably no worse than alcohol. (I have never heard of an angry belligerent pot user.) It can clearly impair your ability to safely drive or operate machinery. If you feel it helps your migraine or other painful condition, use it, but use it cautiously, as it is habit-forming.

Until we know more about its effects on the developing brain, I would actively discourage use by adolescents, as I do for alcohol.

More quality scientific study is needed and would be encouraged by moving cannabis out of Schedule I by the DEA.

Prescription for Bankruptcy. Buy the book on Amazon


21 comments:

  1. "It's probably no worse than alcohol." Comparing cannabis and alcohol is foolish. Alcohol damages almost every organ in the body, which has been proven and is not up for debate. Cannabis (plant based medicine) is non habit forming and has little if no withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol ruins the body, relationships, families, not to mention careers. I believe Cannabis to be a miracle plant, not a drug. We as cultivators, extractors, chemists, and culinary professionals are just scratching the surface of unlocking powerful compounds found in cannabis. CBN, CBG, Delta-8, the list goes on. Would love to chat more with you on this subject. Be well Ed.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Clearly alcohol IN EXCESS is bad for the body; alcohol in moderation is safe and may even have health benefits. There are too many unknowns about marijuana to make any valid claims, but better study is needed, and putting it in the same legal status as alcohol will allow that.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great job for publishing such a nice article. Your article isn’t only useful but it is additionally really informative. Get cbd cartridge at justcbdstore.com. Thank you because you have been willing to share information with us.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow, cool post. I'd like to write like this too - taking time and real hard work to make a great article... but I put things off too much and never seem to get started. Thanks though. vlove yoni detox pearls

    ReplyDelete
  5. Looking great work dear, I really appreciate to you on this quality work. Nice post. we also provide Buy real marijuana online. for more information visit our website.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I would like to say this is a well-informed article which you have shared here. It is a significant and factual article for us. Thankful to you for sharing an article like this. legal Marijuana for sale

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am very proud to say that your blog has had such useful information about seeds and acceptable content. A knowledgeable blog you have shared. Delta 8 High Life Sour Watermelon Gummies in USA.Please keep sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Curiously, marijuana mirrors such countless neurological responses of different medications that it is incredibly hard to arrange in a particular class. Specialists will put it in any of these classifications: hallucinogenic; psychedelic drug; or serotonin inhibitor. marijuana events near me

    ReplyDelete
  9. 5D liposculpture Korea Korea's #1 Liposculpture Clinic. Lydian plastic surgery is the home of VIP patients. Celebrities, Influencers and Diplomats all know and trust Doctor An and Lydian plastic surgery clinic to provide detailed results.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Web-based media likewise permits the little individual simply heading out to become famous. A profoundly responsive healthcare expert can set up a name for themselves with the public instead of continually being subject to the force dealers of set up rehearses. manchester pcr test

    ReplyDelete
  11. Home health services are now becoming popular as a response to the growing need for trained medical personnel to attend to family members' needs for care and attention. diabetes kfc



    ReplyDelete
  12. The AMA, the federal government, and various states claim, however, that it is illegal for a doctor to prescribe drugs without a valid doctor-patient relationship. While there are no laws at present that outlaw online pharmacies, various states have enacted legislation, or are in the process of enacting legislation to prohibit a doctor from prescribing drugs to a patient that they have not seen face to face. buy ritalin online without prescription

    ReplyDelete
  13. A huge lot of valuable information in your article which is useful for everyone. Having a great experience on your blog, Thank you.cbdbooms

    ReplyDelete
  14. A home health service offers the traditional nursing functions that are found in a hospital or nursing home environment: basic medical functions such as giving medications, helping with bandage and dressing changes, checking vital signs; moving patients, giving baths, physical therapy, etc. papa johns for diabetic menu

    ReplyDelete
  15. What is alternative medicine? It is a phrase that has been tossed around more and more in the media, the bookstores, and increasingly, the doctor's office, but how often does anyone say what alternative medicine is. buy endocet near me

    ReplyDelete
  16. You've shared some excellent material about Marijuana. I'm grateful for this post because it contains a lot of useful information. Thank you for sharing this piece of writing.

    ReplyDelete
  17. In any case, it took the coronafocus app pandemic to let the pony out of the stable. Dejection has turned into an interesting issue, a typical protest, and something that individuals straightforwardly examine and wish to change.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Doweiko (2009) explains that not all cannabis has abuse potential. He therefore suggests using the common terminology marijuana when referring to cannabis with abuse potential. For the sake of clarity this terminology is used in this paper as well. canna cabana

    ReplyDelete
  19. I like this article about cigar lighters hrm . I was searching over search engines and found your blog and it really helps thank you very much.

    ReplyDelete
  20. How can business progress without putting up a website? When dealing with the intricacies of internet marketing, seasoned investors apply effective and proven strategies that work well for their business. One of these is creating a website and writing content to attract visitors who are possible buyers of products or services being offered by SEOEXPERTS_SRK

    ReplyDelete
  21. Excellent information, this knowledge is excellent and very important for everyone. I am heartily thankful to you for providing this kind of information. Thanks once again for sharing it. best marijuana seeds in the world

    ReplyDelete