February 25th, 2008 by Peter Bonginelli
filed under: Medical Marijuana, News
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New Hampshire may be the next state to decriminalize marijuana, following the lead of 12 states so far, as two New Hampshire legislators from Nashua have filed the legislation papers. The bill is to be voted on next month by the state House of Representatives, and would decrease the penalty for small amounts of marijuana to a $200 civil fine.
The news comes at a time when the general sentiment about pot of the American people is shifting. Almost half of the United States population has at least experimented with pot, and while many still believe it should not be fully legalized, having a criminal record for pot is beginning to seem more and more excessive.
The debate will be lively with many supporters and opponents of the legislation. The opposition of the bill feels that decreasing the penalties for marijuana possession will encourage its use among the younger generations and cause them to believe that using marijuana is ok.
I do agree with people who say smoking pot all day all the time will lead to a lazy and unfulfilling life. That is why it is our responsibility as parents, friends, brothers, sisters, and people to educate each other about moderation in all parts of life. While there are many risks associated with marijuana, there are also many benefits.
Even for those of us that are not citizens of New Hampshire, the future of marijuana’s legal status is close to the hearts of many. Personally I support the decriminalization, and full legalization would benefit the country greatly in new tax revenues and reduced law enforcement costs. Even though I am not from New Hampshire, I whole-heartedly believe in their motto “Live Free or Die!” and to me part of being free is having the right to make your own decisions.
February 3rd, 2008 by Peter Bonginelli
filed under: Medical Marijuana, News
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Study Finds Marijuana Anti-Depressant Thu, 03 Nov 2005 Author: Juanita King, Canadian University Press © Excalibur CN ON The Blunt Truth: Drug Increases Brain Cell Growth
ST. JOHN’S, NFLD. ( CUP ) - Supporters of marijuana may finally have an excuse to smoke weed every day, as a recent study in the Journal Of Clinical Investigation suggests that smoking pot can make the brain grow.
Though most drugs inhibit the growth of new brain cells, injections of a synthetic cannabinoid have had the opposite effect in mice in a study performed at the University of Saskatchewan. Research on how drugs affect the brain has been critical to addiction treatment, particularly research on the hippocampus.
The hippocampus is an area of the brain essential to memory formation. It is unusual because it grows new neurons over a person’s lifetime. Researchers believe these new cells help to improve memory and fight depression and mood disorders.
Many drugs - heroin, cocaine and the more common alcohol and nicotine - - inhibit the growth of these new cells. It was thought that marijuana did the same thing, but new research suggests otherwise.
Neuropsychiatrist, Xia Zhang and a team of researchers study how marijuana-like drugs, known collectively as cannabinoids, act on the brain.
The team tested the effects of HU-210, a potent synthetic cannabinoid similar to a group of compounds found in marijuana. The synthetic version is about 100 times as powerful as Tetrahydrocannabinol ( THC ), the high-inducing compound loved by recreational users.
The researchers found that rats treated with HU-210 on a regular basis showed neurogenesis - the growth of new brain cells in the hippocampus. A current hypothesis suggests depression may be triggered when the hippocampus grows insufficient numbers of new brain cells. If true, HU-210 could offer a treatment for such mood disorders by stimulating this growth.
Whether this is true for all cannabinoids remains unclear, as HU-210 is only one of many and the HU-210 in the study is highly purified.
"That does not mean that general use in healthy people is beneficial," said Memorial University of Newfoundland psychology professor William McKim. "We need to learn if this happens in humans, whether this is useful in healthy people and whether THC causes it as well."
McKim warns that marijuana disrupts memory and cognition. "These effects can be long-lasting after heavy use," he said. "This makes it difficult to succeed academically if you use it excessively." (This statement is contradicted by study that cannabis has no long term effect on cognition and memory. Ed.)
"Occasional light use probably does not have very serious consequences. [But], there is some evidence that marijuana smoke might cause cancer," he cautioned. (Actually there is not one reported case of lung cancer from marijuana world-wide, see LegaliseIt.com Ed.)
Still, the positive aspects of marijuana are becoming more plentiful as further research is done. McKim says it’s not surprising that THC and compounds like it could have medicinal effects.
"Many have been identified," he said. "It stimulates appetite in people with AIDS, it is an analgesic and blocks nausea in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and it treats the symptoms of glaucoma."
The research group’s next studies will examine the more unpleasant side of the drug. (I thought all of this work was already done by NIDA? Ed.)
February 3rd, 2008 by Peter Bonginelli
filed under: Marijuana Effects
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I have had many requests to write an article about the effects of marijuana on the body, and have always been hesitant on this subject as THC and its related compounds affect each person in a different way. This has as much to do with a person’s psychological state, as it has to do with the physical make-up. Those who tend to think of them selves as small or insignificant have an enhanced sense of being when smoking pot. Per say, it brings out a sense of self confidence often ignored by the conscious mind. Conversely, those who are full of themselves and think they are superior to everyone else tend to get paranoia and feel uncomfortable while high. In addition, a veteran smoker will have a confident and assured mindset going into the high, while a first time smoker may feel paranoia due to the belief that the drug may harm them.
The creative types get the psychological benefits the strongest. THC increases sensory input without changing the overall perspective of what is happening (like hallucinogens would). For example, THC increases one’s appetite, and also enhances the taste of food at the same time, creating the "munchies" phenomenon. While high, one is in a relaxed state, almost of meditation, and very in touch with the subconscious part of the mind. Outside distractions are ignored and one is free to focus or "get in the zone" for whatever one may set their mind to do. However, short-term memory is not as strong while high, so a free flow of ideas is ideal, not complicated tasks that require a set thought process.
On the physiological side, there are several things going on. First, cannabis will cause a swelling of the minor conjunctival blood vessels around the eye, resulting in bloodshot eyes. Another unpleasant side effect is the reduction of saliva production (dry mouth). On a lighter note, it has been reported in a de-classified military study that Cannabis can have hypnotic, anesthetic, anti-convulsant, anti-hypertensive and temperature-reducing effects with some medical value.
The high is still going to different for every person and new studies will come out every year saying one thing or another. You need to find out how THC affects your body in a safe and controlled environment. Don’t let someone pressure you into smoking - you WILL have a bad experience. I can’t stress this enough, I have seen many cases of first time smokers who have been pressured into smoking have a horrible time because they believe the drug is horrible and they feel they have let themselves down. As I said before, weed will bring out your inner feelings about your life for a few hours; make sure you’re happy with yourself first.
Erowid.org list of effects (part humor):
POSITIVE
mood lift, euphoria
laughter
relaxation, stress reduction
creative, philosophical or deep thinking : ideas flow more easily
increased appreciation of music. More aware of, deeper connection to music.
increased awareness of senses. (eating, drinking, smell)
change in experience of muscle fatigue. Pleasant body feel. Increase in body/mind connection.
pain relief (headaches, cramps)
reduced nausea, increased appetite (used medically for this)
boring tasks or entertainment can become more interesting or funny
NEUTRAL
general change in consciousness (as with many psychoactives)
increased appetite, snacky-ness
slowness (slow driving, talking)
change in vision such as sharpened colors or lights
closed-eye visuals (somewhat uncommon)
tiredness, sleepiness, lethargy
stimulation, inability to sleep (less common)
blood shot eyes (more common with certain varieties of cannabis and inexperienced users)
mouth dryness, sticky-mouth (varies with strain)
interrupts linear memory. Difficulty following a train of thought.
cheek, jaw, facial tension / numbness (less commonly reported)
racing thoughts (especially at high doses)
increased emotional impact of music
Time sense altered: cars seem like they are moving too fast, time dilation and compression are common at higher doses
NEGATIVE
nausea, especially in combination with alcohol, some pharmaceuticals, or other psychoactives
coughing, asthma, upper respiratory problems
difficulty with short term memory during effects and during periods of frequent use (Ranganathan M, D’Souza DC, Psychopharmacology, 2006)
racing heart, agitation, feeling tense
mild to severe anxiety
panic attacks in sensitive users or with very high doses (oral use increases risk of getting too much)
headaches
dizziness, confusion
lightheadedness or fainting (in cases of lowered blood pressure)
paranoid & anxious thoughts more frequent
possible psychological dependence on cannabis
clumsiness, loss of coordination at high doses
can precipitate or exacerbate latent or existing mental disorders
WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS
mild to moderate, non life-threatening withdrawal symptoms occur after daily use in some users. These may last for 1-6 weeks after cessation of use and can include anxiety, anhedonia (reduced experience of pleasure), headaches, general unease/discomfort, difficulty sleeping, and a desire to smoke pot. Severity of symptoms is related to frequency of use and individual sensitivity. slight loss of appetite finding non-stoned life a bit dull, increased boredom
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