There is a lot of discussion in the news about marijuana. Many states have legalized it for medical use and the number seems to be growing. Two states, Colorado and Washington have legalized it for recreational use, but what is the truth about marijuana?
Marijuana has been around for a long time. There is a controversy about the difference between marijuana and hemp. Without getting into a long dissertation the primary difference is in the amount of THC, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. This is the component that provides the “high” that is of concern.
There are many uses of the plant beyond getting high, but for purposes of this discussion will be limited to the primary components, THC and CBD.
CBD is short for cannabidiol and is one of the over 60 active cannabinoids that have been identified. CBD has a wider scope of medical applications than THC.
Current history of marijuana began in the 1920’s and 30’s. It was being used by Mexican workers in California and also by Black musicians for recreational use. As a result it has been outlawed and has been designated a schedule 1 drug.
Schedule drugs are defined by the United States Controlled Substances Act. To be listed as a schedule 1 drug, the drug must have a high potential for abuse, have no currently accepted medical use in the United States and have a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
Early research on marijuana has focused on the THC component because of the ability to produce the high. CBD has been largely ignored because it did not produce the high. Yet we are finding that as research improves that the uses for medical use is increasing at a rapid rate.
Research has been stymied by the prohibitions on possession. The National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse came to the conclusion that the actual and potential harm is not great enough to justify the criminal law on private behavior.
The results of the report issued in the early 1970’s was not accepted by the Nixon administration, so the prior rules and regulations were never acted on.
Many people are familiar with stories of the medical uses of CBD, such as the story of Charlotte Figi a 5 year old who suffered from debiliting epileptic seizures. She was not responding to any of the medicines that were prescribed for her. Many of these drugs had horrendous side effects, but they did not work. With great reluctance, but with few options her parents sought use of marijuana.
The results were astonishing! She went from 100’s of seizures to the low single digits and has been able to resume a normal life. The strain of marijuana used was high in CBD and extremely low in THC. It could not make her high, which was a major concern in the beginning.
There are other cases and other conditions that have been treated. This is not an article to push for the widespread use of marijuana, however it is a call for controlled research into the objective analysis of the potential uses.
My personal concern rests with the effects on such activities as driving. The studies need to focus on tasks such as driving and the long term effects of use. Another concern is the use by young people. My personal belief is that alcohol should be limited in those under the age of 24, so you know that my philosophy is conservative in this area. However we have a real world to live in. We need to look at the pro’s and con’s and make an objective decision on the use of marijuana.
An additional concern of mine is the rate of prosecution that has a negative effect on large portions of the population. While the rate of use between the races is statistically the same, the rate of prosecution and incarceration is much higher in the black and brown people of the country. This affects their ability to get a job for the life of an individual even if it was tried as a juvenile. A conviction affects the ability of an individual to get public housing, and goes so far as to affect an entire household of which that individual may be a member. This places tremendous pressure and is disruptive to families facing the most pressing financial and employment difficulties.
A conviction also has devastating and long term effects on the ability to vote and serve on juries. The war on drugs focuses on the street level user, not the low level or major suppliers.
All of the facts point out that our knowledge about marijuana is sorely lacking. The potential positive uses are grossly understudied and lacking. The number of people who could be helped is staggering.
This is not a call for everyone to go out and smoke a joint, but rather to call for an objective review of the subject in all aspects.