Scientifically referred to as Cannabis Sativa, is a well-known drug, mainly consumed
for its psychoactive and physiological effects which includes, relaxation and an increased appetite, just to name a few. It contains a total of four hundred and eighty three known compounds, but is most commonly used for one of those numerous compounds namely, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This compound has been proven to carry unique features and qualities which consist of having high solubility in most organic solvents, high UV wavelength properties that can protect the plant from harmful radiation exposure. Due to its high concentration in certain elements that can impair an individual vision and motor skills, it is ranked as a (Schedule 1 and 4) by the Single Convention on Narcotics Drugs. Recently ranked as the most-used illicit drug in the world [1], it is famously abused in the areas of recreational and religious activities. It has been calculated that the global consumption of this drug ranks near 4% of the adult world population, consume this drug annually [2]. The restrictions of marijuana have been slowly but surely opening, with this drug being legalized in several states in America, Netherlands (Europe), the local law enforcement sometimes turning a blind eye to small violations, while focusing on more dangerous drugs that has been deteriorating communities around the world. All these are factors in the increase of the use of marijuana. Holy anointing oil made from cannabis is also referenced in the Holy Bible, Book of Exodus (30:22-23). Explained in this section is an extracted oil from cannabis were among a variety of oils used in ancient anointments, which is stated as far as (1450 BC). The use of marijuana can be dated as far back as (2900 BC), where the Chinese Emperor Fu made references in the use as a popular medicine. A discovery of the healing properties was found in the plant. This drug has been mentioned and practice as far back as biblical times, which fuels the use of this drug as religious practices. The use of marijuana has been performed in ancient ceremonies, in some instances burned marijuana is used to induce a state of trance. Other cases it has been used in religious sacraments by ancient Jews and early Christians. As of the early 20 th century, cannabis was criminalized in various countries. Later a marijuana tax act was passed, prohibiting the production of the hemp plant in connection with the drug. Most people smoke the marijuana plant's dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds. Some also use the marijuana leaf in food or it may be brewed as a tea. Modern research suggests that cannabis is a valuable aid in the treatment of a wide range of clinical applications. These include pain relief, particularly of neuropathic pain (pain from nerve damage), nausea, and spasticity, glaucoma, and movement disorders. Marijuana is a powerful appetite stimulant, specifically for patients suffering from HIV, the AIDS wasting syndrome, or dementia. Emerging research suggests that marijuana's medicinal properties may protect the body against some types of malignant tumors and are neuroprotective. Currently, U.S and international organizations support granting patients immediate legal access to medicinal marijuana under a physician's supervision. The Chinese emperor, Shen Neng, introduced many pharmaceutical drugs including marijuana. Emperor Shen Neng prescribed marijuana tea for malaria, beriberi, rheumatism, and curiously, poor memory (Earleywine, M. 2002). The sacred Indian text, Atharvaveda, listed marijuana as a holy plant that could relieve stress. Hindu sanctions were against the consumption of alcohol, but marijuana remained one of the few substances appropriate for alleviating anxiety in this culture. Later the drug was prescribed for fevers, coughs and asthma. Marijuana was even used to help with leprosy and dandruff, but was discovered to be unsuccessful (Roffman, R. 1982). In ancient Rome, marijuana was acknowledged for its use as a painkiller, but there was a warning that stated that excessive consumption could cause feebleness. The Romans learned of marijuana's pharmaceutical properties as they made their way to new countries. A physician in the army recommended the juice of marijuana seed for earaches. Later it was confirmed that this treatment really did work. Back in China, Shen Neng's teachings remained well known. The ancient Chinese founder of surgery used marijuana combined with alcohol as an anesthetic (Earleywine, M. 2002). Evidence show that one of the most fascinating practice use of marijuana was concerned with childbirth. Marijuana traces were found in the archeological remains of a young girl from the fourth century A.D. She had evidently died while giving birth. The marijuana may have eased the pain and intrauterine contractions. Women in Cambodia and Vietnam drink tea made from marijuana to alleviate after birth distress even today. Studies of fetal exposure to marijuana have produced mixed results and considerable controversy, but the practice of using marijuana during delivery apparently began at least 2,400 years ago ("Medical Marijuana" 2004). Carol Eustice (2004), a news paper editor, noticed that an increased travel to the Middle East, Africa, and India, led to more European publications of marijuana. A French doctor claimed that it could cure horses of colic, treat burns and increase appetite. The medical reputation of marijuana continued into the seventeenth century where it was discovered that it aided mood disorders. This discovery was brought up on and off until the late 1970s. At the same time that this topic was debated over, medical marijuana finally spread to the Americas. In America, marijuana roots were recommended for inflamed skin. The oil obtained from the marijuana plants was used to treat many problems such as coughs and sexual intercourse diseases (Barr, R. 1998). Nevertheless, few medical professionals in Europe and America prescribed the drug often. This may have been because marijuana was not easy to access. The demand for medical marijuana grew and soon it became more accessible. More and more discoveries were made concerning medical marijuana but none were a cure. These discoveries only eased the pain and nausea that often goes along with chemotherapy and other illnesses. In the 1970s, information suggested a new medical use unlike any proposed previously; the treatment of glaucoma. This disorder is a leading cause of blindness. Although there were many successful treatments for this disorder, some have side effects such as blurred vision and headaches. Some patients even develop a tolerance of the drugs, minimizing their ability to lower the pressure within the eye ("National... 1998). The 500 components found in marijuana, many of which we know little about, can cause an increase in the risk of a heart attack more than four-fold in an hour after use. It can also invoke chest pain in patients with heart disease. Research has shown marijuana smoke to contain carcinogens and to be an irritant to the lungs. This brings about bronchitis, cough, and phlegm production. Marijuana smoke contains 50-70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than does tobacco smoke, as reported by the American Lung Association. Organizations that have endorsed medical access to marijuana include the American Public Health Association, AIDS Action Council, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, American Academy of HIV Medicine, American Nurses Association, Lymphoma Foundation of America, National Association of People with AIDS, the state medical associations of New York, California, and Rhode Island. Contrary to its medicinal benefits, Marijuana use has been shown to be significantly linked with mental illness, especially schizophrenia and psychosis, but also depression and anxiety. Marijuana smoking during pregnancy has been shown to decrease birth weight, most likely due to the effects of carbon monoxide on the developing fetus. One of the most well designed studies on marijuana and intelligence, released in 2012, found that marijuana use reduces IQ by as much as eight points by age 38 among people who started using marijuana regularly before age 18 but then stopped. Other studies have found that marijuana use is linked with dropping out of school, and subsequent unemployment, social welfare dependence, and a lower self-reported quality of life than non-marijuana abusing people. Until 1937, the growth and use of marijuana was legal under federal law. The federal government unofficially banned marijuana under the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937.The topic of legalizing marijuana is a very conversational issue in American politics today. California became the first state to legalized medical marijuana in 1996. It was next Alaska, Oregon, and Washington in 1998. Maine became the 5th state in 1999 and Hawaii in 2000, Colorado and Nevada legalized the drug as well. In 2006, medical marijuana became legalized in Rhode Island. In 2007 New Mexico legalized the use of medical marijuana followed by, Michigan in 2008, New Jersey and Arizona in 2010, Delaware in 2011. The debate over marijuana legalization will continue as more U.S States decide whether to legalize it or not. Some in favor of the drug legalization argue that this environmentally friendly plant grows without herbicides, nourishes the soil, matures quickly and provides high yields. Today, between 95 and 100 million Americans admit to having tried it. A study released in December 2006 found that marijuana is now the leading cash crop in the U.S., exceeding the value of corn and wheat combined. According to government-funded researchers, high school seniors consistently report that marijuana is easily available, despite decades of a nationwide drug war. With little variation, every year about 85% of Americans consider marijuana fairly easy or very easy to obtain. Millions of people take marijuana because of its unique psychotropic effects. Marijuana is used by some people as a form of recreation as well. Smoking is an effective way of using the drug as a recreation or psychology agent. When marijuana is smoked some of the THC is inhaled. The drug has no difficulty penetrating into the brain. Peak blood levels are reached by the time the smoke is finished creating a high. An experienced marijuana smoker can regulate almost on a puff by puff basis the dose of the THC delivered to create the desired psychological effect. Excessive use of this drug may cause intoxication. A person intoxicated experiences bodily sensations of warmth (caused by the drug-induced relaxation of blood vessels and increased blood flow. The initial stages of intoxication are accompanied by a quickening of mental associations and this is reflected typically by a sharpened sense of humor. The most ordinary objects or ideas can become the subjects of fun and amusement, often accompanied by uncontrollable giggling or laughter. Perception becomes more sensitive, and the user has a heightened appreciation of everyday experiences. Tetrahydrocannabinol is a very safe drug. Laboratory experiment on rats, mice, dogs, monkeys prove that they can tolerate doses of up to 1000 mg/kg (milligrams per kilogram). This would be equivalent to a 70 kg person swallowing 70grams of the drug. A much greater dosage of about 5000 times is required to produce a high. Very few instances of death by overdose has ever been reported. To date marijuana has become the most illicit drug in the United States. For teenagers in the U.S. the figure rises to about 50%. Patterns of consumption vary by country. The National Institute on Drug Abuse through their monitoring the Future Study gives a detailed picture of cannabis use among teenagers. 10% reported that they were daily users. The great majority admits to using it experimentally. A small Caribbean island Jamaica, has become an important cultivation ground for marijuana. It is referred to as ganja and was brought to Jamaica by laborers from India in the mid-nineteenth century and spread to the black working class community where its use has become widespread. Smoking the marijuana drug commonly known as the ganja is so prevalent that the ones who do not as referred to as deviant. Jamaica is also the home of a twentieth century religion known as Rastafarianism. It was founded by Marcus Garvey in the 1930s, a time when cannabis played a key role. First time smokers of the drug attain a cultural initiation rite into the Rastafarianism religion. The marijuana is thought to be a cleanser of both body and mind, preparing the user for prayer and meditation. Despite a great effort by the people of the Americas to completely legalize the use of marijuana the federal government stands firm in trying to restrict the use of the drug amongst minors. The Department of Justice will not challenge state laws that allow the medical and recreational use of marijuana, and will instead focus on keeping the drug out of the hands of minors and preventing its spread to states where it remains illegal. Attorney General Eric Holder announced the landmark decision on Thursday November 21 st 2013. This reflects a balanced approach by the federal government that respects the states interests in implementing these laws and recognizes the federal governments role in fighting illegal drugs and criminal activity, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson said in a joint statement. Americans are backing full legalization, and more states are likely to remove their bans on marijuana use during the next few years. A large group of respected association of physicians is also calling on the federal government to ease its strict ban on marijuana as medicine and hasten research into the drug's therapeutic uses. Reports from the LA Times state that The American College of Physicians, the nation's largest organization of doctors of internal medicine, with 124,000 members, contends that the long and rancorous debate over marijuana legalization has obscured good science that has demonstrated the benefits and medicinal promise of cannabis. In economic terms the drug is important but yet remains a controversial commodity as well. Pro economists think that Marijuana legalization would offer an important advantage over decriminalization. It would allow for legal distribution and taxation. Economists estimate the legalization process would save the taxpayers around $8 - $16 billion a year, Reported by Dr. Jeffrey Miron, visiting professor of economics at Harvard University. Prohibitionists are contrary to the important medical and recreational benefits of the drug. The stance remains that marijuana is the gateway that leads to harder drug usage. Influential bodies of opinions continue to argue that the campaign to eradicate marijuana drug use completely is ineffective. For this very reason radical alternatives are being explored such as drug policies that are consistent with a free society, that is, free will and a free market. Overall researchers, economists, and concerned citizens from all corners of the world have addressed the marijuana good or bad problem. Conversely based on evidence presented from different arenas the drug may be considered tenable, economical and safe in moderation. However, based on some of the major drawbacks of this drug it may also be described as a health risk to oneself and a potential harmful recreation and social commodity. References 1. UNODC. World Drug Report 2010. United Nations Publication. p. 198. Retrieved 2010-07-19. 2. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2006). "Cannabis: Why We Should Care" . World Drug Report 1 (S.l.: United Nations). p. 14.ISBN 92-1-148214-3 3. Canada project to put marijuana into Pharmacies. (2004, March). Retrieved March 18, 2004,fromhttp://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/03/22/medicinal.marijuana.ap/index.html 4. Ad Hoc Group of Experts. (1997, February). National Institutes of Health -- Workshop on the Medical Utility of Marijuana. Retrieved March 11, 2004, from http://www.medmjscience.org/Pages/reports/nihpt1.html 5. Barr, Robert. (1998, November).Medicinal Marijuana. Retrieved March 11, 2004, from http://www.drcnet.org/gateway/medmj.html 6. Earleywine, M. (2002). Understanding Marijuana. 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