Cannabis -Dispensing with the Myths about Marijuana

2009.05.03

 For centuries, the cannabis plant has sparked all kinds of controversy with each viewpoint pushing a certain agenda. It seems that such a seemingly harmless plant has continued to fuel the fire that still rages on the subject of whether it is an evil weed or not. In this article, I will list out the results of decades of study on the effects of cannabis that dispense the myths about marijuana.

It was long believed that marijuana has a psychological effect that results in psychological damage. It is curious that all of this controversy began in the 30’s when the Roosevelt administration decided to make its use a criminal offence. Much propaganda about the effects of cannabis or marijuana that was put out, and, looking back on it, it’s pretty hilarious stuff that only a government would dare produce. Studies have now emerged that have conclusively shown that all the hype is exactly that – hype, designed to demonize something that is clearly shown to be much less harmful than the booming pharmaceutical trade.

 It was put out that marijuana was damaging psychologically, and, for a long time it was used in the argument not to de-criminalize it. Now the evidence is incontrovertible that marijuana has no such effect on the user. What the studies have shown is that, depending on the plant or the quality, users have experienced some panic, or anxiety, and may even be frightened, depending on the concentration of the psychoactive chemical THC, but the effects were never permanent, and this was for young and older users alike.

            The other myth that been propagated down through the years is that pot is highly addictive. There are some who smoke marijuana very frequently and have tried to quit a few times, but it was not due to any physical addiction, it was to the fact that they “needed their buzz”, but with some help, it was found that they could quit without experiencing anything but some mild withdrawal symptoms.

There is also a myth that says that grass is more damaging to the lungs than tobacco, but that too has been dispelled. Marijuana smoke, like tobacco smoke contains irritants and carcinogens, but it was found that with marijuana smokers, they typically smoked much less than tobacco smokers. As a result, there were no reports of any users getting cancer from marijuana smoke because heavy tobacco smokers develop an obstruction to the lung’s small airway. Marijuana smokers don’t, and, consequently do not develop emphysema from smoking marijuana.

It seems that there will be endless back and forth arguments on both sides over whether or not marijuana is harmful in any way. This will include the disproved myth that the potency of marijuana today is higher than the marijuana from over twenty years ago. Now the facts are emerging that contradict, conclusively the myths that are out there about the harmful effects of marijuana.