Marijuana 2 Essay Research Paper Consuming marijuana

Marijuana 2 Essay, Research Paper

Consuming marijuana is detrimental to one s health. 1. Consumption= Smoking or eating marijuana. 2. Marijuana= Psychoactive mind altering substance, also known as cannabis. 3. Detrimental= Serious harm. Smoking or eating marijuana is likely to create serious health problems for most individual users or society. Since the 1920 s supporters of marijuana prohibition have exaggerated the drugs dangers. Many of the reefer madness tales that were used to bring support for early anti- marijuana laws , continue to appear in reports today. The most important studies of recent times took place in the 1970 s in Greece, Costa Rica and Jamaica. These tests reported on the effects of marijuana on its users in there natural environment. The reports covered marijuana s effect on the brain, immune and reproductive systems. (1) These studies didn t answer all the questions about the effects of marijuana on the user, but supported the idea that marijuana for the majority of its users was not detrimental to the health of the users brain, immune or reproductive system. In looking at all the reports that are published there are perhaps, random studies which may indicate greater toxicity of the drug. But in all of these cases, the research was flawed or inaccurate since the findings cannot be duplicated by other scientists. Contention I: Marijuana does not damage brain cells. A. Claim: Use of marijuana does not cause memory loss. 1. Grounds: In a recent study rhesus monkeys were exposed to the equivalent of 4-5 joints per day for an entire year without any alteration of hippocampal architecture.(2) Slikker, W. et al, Behavioral, Neurochemical, and Neurohistological Effects of chronic Marijuana Smoke Exposure in the Nonhuman Primate, pp219-74 in l. Murphy and A. Bartke (eds), Marijuana Neurobiology and Neurophysiology, Boca Raton: CRC press(1992)2. Warrant: Alteration in hippocampal structure results in memory loss. 3. Backing: A study reports Any alteration of the hippo campus, a cortical brain region, results in negative consequences for learning and memory in humans.(3) Heath, B.C. et al, Cannabis Sativa: Effects on Brain Function and Ultra structure in Rhesus Monkeys, Biological Psychiatry 15:657 (1980). B. Claim: Use of marijuana does not cause cognitive impairment. 1. Grounds: In a study it is reported marijuana intoxication does not impair brain related cognitive functions (4)Weckowicz, T.E. et al, Effect of Marijuana on Divergent and convergent Production Cognitive Tests, Journal of Abnormal Psychology 84: 386-98(1975)2. Warrant: Studies have shown that marijuana does not effect brain related cognitive functions. 3. Backing: Researchers have proved scientifically that marijuana does not impair cognitive brain functioning include(5)Hooker, W.D. and Jones, R.T., Increased Susceptibility to Memory Intrusions and the Stroop Interference Effect During Acute Marijuana Intoxication, Psychopharmacology 91: 20-24 (1987)Claim C: Use of marijuana does not cause difficulties in learning. 1.Grounds: No evidence found that marijuana users suffer from brain impairment. 2. Warrant: Since there is no evidence correlating marijuana use to brain impairment there can be no learning difficulties associated specifically with the use of marijuana. 3. Backing: A study in 1988 shows In comparing chronic marijuana users with non-users, there are no significant differences in learning, memory recall, and other attention functions. (6) Page, J.B., Psychosociocultural Perspectives on Chronic Cannabis Use: The Costa Rican Follow Up, Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 20: pp 57 (1988)Contention II: Marijuana does not impair immune system functioning. Claim A: Using marijuana stimulates the immune system. 1. Grounds : In the last two years THC (the active drug in Marijuana)has been discovered as a Peripheral cannabinoid receptor associated with lymphatic tissue proving as a effective immune system stimulant (7) Lynn, A.b. and Herkenham, M., Localization of cannabinoid Receptors and Non saturable High Density Cannabinoid Binding Sites in Peripheral Tissues of the Rat: Implications for Receptor- Mediated Immune Modulation by Cannabinoids, Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 268:1612-23 (1994)2. Warrant: The active drug in marijuana is THC, thus marijuana is an immune stimulant. 3. Backing: In 1988, a study showed an increase in responsiveness when white blood cells from marijuana smokers were exposed to immunological activators.(8)Wallace, J.M. et al, Peripheral Blood Lymphocyte Sub populations and Mitogen Responsiveness in Tobacco and Marijuana Smokers, Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 20: 9-14 (1988)Claim B: Use of marijuana does not increase bacterial, viral or parasitic infection. 1.Grounds: There has never been any scientific data which proves marijuana increases bacterial, parasitic or viral infections among humans. 2.Warrant: Since there is no evidence of an increase in viral, parasitic or bacterial infection when marijuana is used it cannot be associated with an increase in these infections. 3. Backing: A study performed in the 1970 s declares there is no difference in disease susceptibility between marijuana users and matched controls.(9) Carter, W.E. (ed), Cannabis in Costa Rica: A study of Chronic Marijuana Use, Philadelphia: Institute for Study of Human Issues (1980)Claim C: The use of marijuana does not increase the risk of HIV infection. 1. Grounds: There have only been myths,