So-What Do We Really Need To Know About Cannabis?

2009.04.02

There are many questions raised regarding the topic of cannabis. For example, what do we know, what should we know, and really what do we need to know?

To begin with there is not a regulatory system in place when it comes to marijuana. This means it is prohibited to culture or produce it. Marketing or using the pot has no regulation rules because it is illegal. This is a far different story for alcohol or tobacco although technically drugs are government regulated. The government basics follow to forms of control. If the Government were really interested in legalizing pot they could do so by either just not having any control over it so it would be up to who wanted to sell what and the second would be where its regulated and controlled by the powers to be.

When a governing body is asked for actual proof, regarding certain aspects of weed there is lots of speculation but to date no cold facts. Cannabis still appears to be a non-addictive substance and it’s not toxic. There have been no cases of any negative long-term effects.

Actually, there has been some significant research that may show that pot is far less harmful when compared to alcohol for example. Merely because of the fact that cannabis  is not legalized automatically turns an occasional user into a criminal. If he’s caught in possession of bongs, hash pipes, rolling papers or even bubble bags then society views these as tools of the trade of the “criminal” drug user. If the government wants to categorize the issues of marihuana then it should come under the classification as a social or health issue.

It’s ironic how much emphasis is put on the safety issues of pot. Many foods are consumed on a daily basis that can be far detrimental. For example, it’s been discovered that grapefruit when consumed with certain heart medications can be fatal. Yet we can still buy them at the local market. There are major allergies to peanuts, yet they are readily available in all types of food. If the government was asked to provide even one case where direct consumption of cannabis has caused a direct death such as these products they would be hard pressed to do so.

It would seem that a first glance that the government only has our well-being as their priority. The very reason they state that they don’t want to legalize substances such as cannabis or it various forms like, weed, or hash. Yet they don’t stop to realize that being illegal is causing much more harm. Individuals are being arrested for small personal use of weed in their possession. They end up being thrown in jail admittedly maybe for only a short stay, but they are still exposed to seasoned criminals. This surely cannot be for the betterment of their well-being.

Then on top of this, they end up with a criminal record that follows them through the rest of their life if they were not charged and convicted as a juvenile. Many companies will not hire an individual who has any type of criminal record regardless of how petty it is or how long ago.