The Debate on Legalizing Marijuana
The debate on whether to legalize the use of marijuana especially for medical purposes has been with us for decades now. Proponents to the legalization of the drug argue that the plant from which the drug is extracted from is medicinal while those who oppose the efforts to legalize the drug argue that there are health risks associated with the use of the drug. Marijuana is an extract of the cannabis sativa plant, the leaves of the plant are dried and can then be ingested into the body either by smoking or through an inclusion into the contents of other products. Although several states have legalized the use of marijuana, there is substantial evidence to prove that the drug has health risks to the users.
The Health Risks of Marijuana
It is arguable to say that marijuana reduces the addiction to alcohol and cigarettes. Although research has indicated that users of alcohol and tobacco tend to display more dependency as compared users of the cannabis extract, marijuana also has its fair share of health, social and psychological consequences. A survey conducted by RIWI Corp indicates that 48% of users of marijuana suffer addiction and psychological dependence. The survey also concludes that 38% of the participants interviewed, admit that the use of the drug can cause long-term effects on the patient’s mental health (Hall, 2018). Some of the psychological consequences of the use of the drug include; schizophrenia, anxiety, psychosis, depression and bipolar disorders.
The Popularity and Short-Term Effects
Despite these long-term effects of the drug, marijuana still attracts approximately 180 million users across the world (Sample, 2016). Some of the short-term mental effects include an acute mental impairment that is associated with cannabis smoking. This explains why a driver under the influence of the drug is more likely to cause accidents as compared to sober individuals. The short-term mental impairments later lead to long-term mental illnesses. Other short-term effects of marijuana on a user include distorted perception which includes distortions of sights, sounds, time and touch. Cannabis smoking is also responsible memory loss, increased heart rate and reduced blood pressure. Scientific research indicates that active ingredient in cannabis is the Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol also known as THC. This component of cannabis acts on cannabinoid receptors present in the nerve cells which therefore influences alter the activity of those cells (Watson, 2014). Since cannabinoid receptors are responsible for influencing memory, pleasure, concentration, thought, time perception and movement, the use of the drug is likely to affect the normal functioning of the brain. The result of abusing the drug include hallucinations, disorientation and delusions.
Respiratory Problems and Withdrawal Symptoms
Scientists have also linked cannabis smoking to respiratory problems. These include; acute chest illnesses, lung infections, regular coughs and phlegm production. All these respiratory health problems are linked to the carcinogenic and hydrocarbons that are contained in cannabis. In fact, research indicates that compared to tobacco, Marijuana contains more of carcinogenic hydrocarbons. Cannabis smokers also tend to hold the smoke in their lungs longer than tobacco smokers. Therefore, users of marijuana are more likely to develop respiratory problems as compared to tobacco users (Volkow et al., 2014).
Studies conducted in countries where the use of marijuana has been legalized indicate that over the past two decades, the number of people seeking medical and professional intervention to quit or control the use of cannabis has significantly risen (Hall, 2014). Once a user is addicted to cannabis smoking, withdrawing from the use of the drug is not that easy. Some of the withdrawal symptoms attributed to cannabis use include; insomnia, loss of appetite and depression which points out how hard it is to withdraw from the use of the drug.
Effects on Body Weight and Immune System
A study conducted using DEXA- scan x-rays at the University of Edinburgh in the UK concludes that cannabis use has a profound effect on the user’s body weight and body mass index (BMI). Cannabis users are at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis, a condition that is caused by the weakening of the bone structure resulting in a reduced bone density. Users especially those who ingest large amounts of cannabis are more likely to experience this condition later in life (Buddy, 2018).
Other scientifically proven health risks associated with the abuse of the cannabis extract include an impaired immune system. The Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol ingredient in cannabis impairs the body’s immune system by altering the activity of the immune cells hence the body’s ability to fight diseases and illnesses is impaired (Seeman, 2018). This poses a greater health risk as it leaves the user’s body at the risk of attack by opportunistic diseases which would mean that the user would live an unhealthy life. Scientific studies have also pointed out the possibility of a cannabis user being at the risk of developing bacterial infections and tumors especially for users who are fond of the excessive use of the drug.
Conclusion
Cannabis smoking is therefore detrimental to one’s health, it has both health, social and psychological consequences on the user. Scientific studies and research have proven that cannabis smoking does more harm than good to the body of the user. Since Canada is one of the countries that has legalized the use of cannabis, both the government and health institutions should be responsible for ensuring the health risks that have been highlighted in this article. Access to marijuana should only be restricted to users on medical prescriptions from qualified and licensed medical practitioners.
References
Buddy, T. (2018, Apr. 17). The health effects of marijuana. Verywell Mind. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/the-health-effects-of-marijuana-67788
Hall, J. (2018. Aug. 31). Legalization of cannabis. The Star. Retrieved from https://www.thestar.com/news/cannabis/2018/08/31/are-health-risks-of-cannabis-getting-lost-in-the-haze.html
Hall, W. (2014). What has research over the past two decades revealed about the adverse health effects of recreational cannabis use? Addiction, 110(1), 19-35.
Seeman, N. (2018, May 22). Measuring marijuana addiction awareness, before and after it is legal. The Star. Retrieved from https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2018/05/22/measuring-addiction-awareness-of-marijuana-before-after-it-is-legal.html
Sample, I. (2016). What are the true risks of taking cannabis? The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/apr/15/what-are-the-risks-of-taking-cannabis
Volkow, N. D., Baler, R. D., Compton, W. M., " Weiss, S. R. (2014). Adverse health effects of marijuana use. The New England journal of medicine, 370(23), 2219-27.
Watson, S. (2014, Feb. 25). Is marijuana safe? WebMD. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/features/is-marijuana-safe-web#1
