Insaneteacher

just this morning i wrote a research paper for my english teacher on marijuana. i would like some input as the final copy is due tomorrow. i think i have written it pretty well, citing my sources and the like. is there anything i could add? any input would be GREATLY appreciated!


Marijuana is a mixture of the flowering buds of the cannabis plant as well as stems and sometimes seeds. The plant itself, depending on variety can grow to be anywhere from 1 foot to 12 feet. The marijuana plant usually contains from five to seven thin leaves that spread outward from the stem. The growing process is extremely difficult and the disruption of this process can lead to yellowing of the leaves or a poor yield of flower.

The chemical responsible for most of the psychological effects of marijuana is Delta 9-tetrahydrocannnibinol (THC). Most marijuana contains only 6-8% THC, although there are a variety of other psychoactive chemicals. Most THC is found in the trichomes, which are crystals usually on the flowering buds of the marijuana plant. The molecular formula for THC is C12 H30 O2. The chemical itself is solid, and not soluble in water. The THC moves through the bloodstream and within 0-10 minutes reaches the brain, where the THC is absorbed by cannabinoid receptors. (http://www.gwu.edu)


Marijuana is a drug with many different names attributed to it. Such terms include: weed, grass, ganja, boom, panda, chronic, Mary Jane, reefer, pot, smoke, herb, and green. Marijuana is typically smoked in pipes or in tubes of very thin cigarette paper, called joints or “sticks”. Marijuana can also be smoked in devices called water pipes. (www.freevibe.com)

Water pipes use filtration to cool the smoke so that it does not cause as much irritation when it enters the lungs.

Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States today. In 1999, the percentage of 12-17 year olds using marijuana once a month was 37.7%. That percentage remained nearly the same in 2000. Marijuana can also impair driving ability. After smoking just one joint, reaction time during driving is decreased by 41%. After two joints, the decrease is even greater, 63%. (http://www.gdcada.org/statistics/marijuana.htm)

There are three different species of the Cannabis plant. These are Sativa, Indica, and Ruderalis. The Sativa variety is usually associated with marijuana of higher quality. It can grow to be 6 feet tall and usually takes a while longer to fully mature than other varieties. The Sativa variety produces a “heady”, more energetic high. The Indica variety is commonly associated with marijuana of a lower quality. It matures quicker and is usually shorter than the Sativa variety. It produces a “couch-lock” type of high in which an effect called “the munchies” is commonly experienced. (http://www.answerbag.com) “The munchies” are a direct result of appetite stimulation caused by marijuana.

The marijuana high is a strange and mysterious thing, and is often hard to describe. It can be very relaxing, euphoric, and peaceful and can help users to cope with issues in their lives. Among first time users though, it can be stressful and cause feelings of anxiousness. Many short-term users have experienced periods of rapid heart beating as well as extreme nervousness and perspiration.

Some negative short-term effects of marijuana include short-term memory loss, loss of coordination, blurred vision, and slurred speech. Long term effects can include the loss of the ability to learn and retain information as well as a permanent slowness in speech. Positive effects of marijuana include feelings of euphoria, a feeling of being connected with others in the room, deeper thinking, a feeling of well being, and a deeper appreciation and connection to music. (www.erowid.org)

Marijuana is a substance that recently has had much controversy surrounding it. Currently, marijuana for recreational use is illegal in all fifty states, although some states are more lenient than others. Marijuana is classified as a regulated schedule 1 hallucinogen. This means it is federally illegal to grow, purchase, possess, or distribute in all forms (cannabis plants, extracts, hash, hash oil etc).

International law concerning cannabis is much different internationally than it is in the United States. In Belgium, it is acceptable for an adult to possess 3 grams of cannabis and not be arrested, detained, or prosecuted in anyway. In Canada, marijuana is still classified as an illegal drug, but its laws against possession and cultivation are spottily enforced. The area most notable for this is British Columbia. British Columbia is home to some of the purest, most desired strains of marijuana in the world. N.O.R.M.L.

In Mexico, a new bill was recently passed that would make possession of under 5 grams legal. It has not passed into law yet, but it is certainly on its way. In the Netherlands, it is technically illegal to possess or distribute cannabis. However, the government does not prosecute individuals over the 18 who engage in the act of smoking it. (www.erowid.org)

Legalization is a subject with much fervor and controversy surrounding both sides of the argument. For years, people like Marc Emery and organizations such as N.O.R.M.L. have fought for the reform of cannabis laws. There have been many rallies, speeches, parades, protests, and sit-ins designed to bring the issue to the government’s attention. Despite these numerous efforts, the United States government seems unwilling to budge. In fact, the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) is seeking to extradite Marc Emery and prosecute him for the distribution of cannabis seeds.

Decriminalization is already working for many parts of the world. For example, although the Netherlands (where the smoking of marijuana is not punished) has the fifth highest violent crime rate in the world, it is steadily decreasing. The number of drug related crimes are also rapidly decreasing.

The drug is in fact, not more harmful than alcohol or tobacco if used in responsibly. It is a fact, that, in its 500,000 plus years of use, there have been absolutely no documented deaths directly related to marijuana. Limiting the use of the drug also intrudes on an individual’s personal privacy. Many law enforcement officers have been known to overstep their bounds in order to arrest an individual for possession of cannabis. Such overstepping of boundaries can be hurtful to the individual being accused of the crime, usually causing a legal mess that noone should have to deal with.

If the government legalized marijuana, it would mean a lower price; thus, related crimes (like theft) would be reduced. People would no longer have to steal large quantities of money to buy marijuana, as it would be sold relatively cheaply. So called “street justice” related to drug deals would be greatly reduced. There would be no more disputes over who “ripped off” whom, and there would be fewer robberies related to marijuana in general.

Marijuana could also be a newfound source of tax revenues. If the government legally packaged and sold cannabis, it could charge a tax of a dollar or more on any amount of cannabis purchased. This would greatly increase the income of the government and could help to fund education, or the ever-growing War on Terror.

Also, law enforcement and court resources would not be tied up with petty drug crimes and would be more inclined to deal with more serious crimes.

Another reason for legalization is that drug dealers would lose most of their business. This is a good thing because usually a drug dealer’s money goes to fund other crimes. Drug dealers are also often responsible for the distribution of marijuana (among other drugs) to young children. If marijuana were legalized, the number of children using marijuana would be greatly reduced. (www.balancedpolitics.org)
Yet another reason for legalization is the growing number of people who use marijuana medicinally. Marijuana can be used to alleviate pain caused by illnesses such as glaucoma. It has also shown to be more effective at alleviating pain then most prescription pain killers such as Codeine, or Valium. It is also less addictive than the aforementioned painkillers. Millions of people a year become addicted to narcotic painkillers and it can cause many emotional and physical problems for the user. If marijuana were at least decriminalized for medical use, it could help to stop this growing addiction problem.
Marijuana can also be used to stimulate appetite in AIDS patients or people suffering from anorexia. If decriminalized, medical marijuana would do much more good than harm.
In fact, medical marijuana has been decriminalized already in California, after passing state proposition 215, the California legislature ruled it legal to possess and cultivate cannabis if the individual found to be in possession of the cannabis had a doctor’s prescription. (www.erowid.org)
There are also arguments against legalization that must be discussed. Over the course of years of long term use, marijuana has shown to be psychologically addictive. If marijuana were decriminalized, this addiction rate would surely go up. Although marijuana is not physically addictive, such as heroin or other opiates are, a psychological addiction can still be a lot to cope with. Also, if marijuana were decriminalized, it would probably be easier for it to reach the hands of children. Stoned driving would probably also increase, causing the number of automobile accidents to steadily rise.
Currently there is no movement in the federal government to make a move to decriminalize or entirely legalize cannabis in any form. Many activists fear cannabis law reform is a long time coming, and they’re right, in fact, we may see little to no law reform for many years to come.

In conclusion, one can see that cannabis is a double edged sword. It has many different positive and negative effects that must be studied and gone over very carefully to determine to which side it is best to belong, for marijuana, or against it.

__________________

I watched with glee
While your kings and queens
Fought for ten decades
For the gods they made
I shouted out,
Who killed the kennedys?
When after all
It was you and me