Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Friday, May 17, 2013
From the article "Marijuana Health effects"
Marijuana is legal in Washington state. But does that mean it's good for you?"Daily use increases the risk of becoming dependent," says Roger Roffman, a professor emeritus at the University of Washington's School of Social Work. He supported Initiative 502, which called for the legalization of a small amount of marijuana for adults 21 and older in Washington. Roffman says there are positive effects of marijuana use: It can help people relax and interact with others. And consumption for medical purposes can reduce symptoms of disease and treatments of disease, he says. But dependence can cause impairment or distress and other effects that interfere with other areas of life, he says. "It's fairly common for people who are using marijuana regularly to complain that their ability to think clearly is impaired — to remember, to organize their thoughts, to follow through with multitasking." Not everyone who uses marijuana regularly experiences problems with thinking and memory, says Roffman. But researchers have not been able to predict which users will and which won't. "One of the main contributors to worse outcomes (of marijuana use) is the age at which you start," says Baler. "So we are particularly worried about young people who are using the drug." The concern, especially for young people, "is that you're performing suboptimally during those years when you should be working at peak levels of performance," he says. And with day-after-day use, the drug has a cumulative effect on achievement. Studies show that when marijuana is used chronically, "people achieve lower in academics, job performance and life satisfaction," says Baler. "It's difficult to understand why kids working so hard on their education would engage in an act that would lower their chance of success." Marijuana is addictive. Washington and Colorado became the first states to vote to decriminalize the possession of an ounce or less of marijuana by adults 21 and older. More research is needed on how marijuana affects people of different ages and backgrounds, Roffman says. "There is evidence of genetic vulnerability to dependence. It is still at an early stage of being studied."
Marijuana is legal in Washington state. But does that mean it's good for you?"Daily use increases the risk of becoming dependent," says Roger Roffman, a professor emeritus at the University of Washington's School of Social Work. He supported Initiative 502, which called for the legalization of a small amount of marijuana for adults 21 and older in Washington. Roffman says there are positive effects of marijuana use: It can help people relax and interact with others. And consumption for medical purposes can reduce symptoms of disease and treatments of disease, he says. But dependence can cause impairment or distress and other effects that interfere with other areas of life, he says. "It's fairly common for people who are using marijuana regularly to complain that their ability to think clearly is impaired — to remember, to organize their thoughts, to follow through with multitasking." Not everyone who uses marijuana regularly experiences problems with thinking and memory, says Roffman. But researchers have not been able to predict which users will and which won't. "One of the main contributors to worse outcomes (of marijuana use) is the age at which you start," says Baler. "So we are particularly worried about young people who are using the drug." The concern, especially for young people, "is that you're performing suboptimally during those years when you should be working at peak levels of performance," he says. And with day-after-day use, the drug has a cumulative effect on achievement. Studies show that when marijuana is used chronically, "people achieve lower in academics, job performance and life satisfaction," says Baler. "It's difficult to understand why kids working so hard on their education would engage in an act that would lower their chance of success." Marijuana is addictive. Washington and Colorado became the first states to vote to decriminalize the possession of an ounce or less of marijuana by adults 21 and older. More research is needed on how marijuana affects people of different ages and backgrounds, Roffman says. "There is evidence of genetic vulnerability to dependence. It is still at an early stage of being studied."
- Impaired short-term memory. Marijuana use can make it hard to learn and retain information, particularly complex tasks.
- Slowed reaction time and impaired motor coordination. It can throw off athletic performance, impair driving skills and increase risk of injuries.
- Altered judgment and decision making. Experts say this can contribute to high-risk sexual behaviors that could lead to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
- Increased heart rate. It can jump by 20% to 100%, which may increase the risk of heart attack, especially in otherwise vulnerable individuals.
- Altered mood. In some, marijuana can induce euphoria or calmness; in high doses it can cause anxiety and paranoia.
- Addiction.
- Poorer educational outcomes, poorer job performance and diminished life satisfaction.
- Respiratory problems (chronic cough, bronchitis).
- Risk of psychosis in vulnerable individuals.
- Cognitive impairment persisting beyond the time of intoxication.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Debate Over Medical Marijuana
In the article the Article "The Debate Over Medical Marijuana" a Philadelphia patient talks about how marijuana saved his life, Kuromiya, 57, was diagnosed with aids in 1988 and has been smoking pot since 1995."It's a great irony to me that I can buy cigarettes, which will kill me, anywhere. But marijuana, which has kept me breathing, is illegal." Kuromiya says. But the article also says, Marijuana as a medicine in the future will not include smoking. 73% of respondents favored making it legal for doctors to prescribe marijuana to suffering patients.
In the article the Article "The Debate Over Medical Marijuana" a Philadelphia patient talks about how marijuana saved his life, Kuromiya, 57, was diagnosed with aids in 1988 and has been smoking pot since 1995."It's a great irony to me that I can buy cigarettes, which will kill me, anywhere. But marijuana, which has kept me breathing, is illegal." Kuromiya says. But the article also says, Marijuana as a medicine in the future will not include smoking. 73% of respondents favored making it legal for doctors to prescribe marijuana to suffering patients.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
How has Marijuana been helpful?
THC and marijuana are promoted to relieve pain, control nausea and vomiting, and stimulate appetite in people with cancer and AIDS. Researchers also report that THC decreases pressure within the eyes, therefore reducing the severity of glaucoma.
Some supporters claim that marijuana has anti-bacterial properties, inhibits tumor growth, and enlarges the airways, which they believe can ease the severity of asthma attacks. Others claim that marijuana can be used to control seizures and muscle spasms in people who have epilepsy and spinal cord injuries.
http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/complementaryandalternativemedicine/herbsvitaminsandminerals/marijuana
THC and marijuana are promoted to relieve pain, control nausea and vomiting, and stimulate appetite in people with cancer and AIDS. Researchers also report that THC decreases pressure within the eyes, therefore reducing the severity of glaucoma.
Some supporters claim that marijuana has anti-bacterial properties, inhibits tumor growth, and enlarges the airways, which they believe can ease the severity of asthma attacks. Others claim that marijuana can be used to control seizures and muscle spasms in people who have epilepsy and spinal cord injuries.
http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/complementaryandalternativemedicine/herbsvitaminsandminerals/marijuana
For Teenagers marijuana can lead to:
http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/marijuana_and_teens
- School difficulties
- Problems with memory and concentration
- Increased aggression
- Car accidents
- Use of other drugs or alcohol
- Risky sexual behaviors
- Increased risk of suicide
- Increased risk of psychosis
- The same breathing problems as smoking cigarettes (coughing, wheezing, trouble with physical activity, and lung cancer)
- Decreased motivation or interest
- Lower intelligence
- Mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, anger, moodiness, and psychosis
- Decreased or lack of response to mental health medication
- Increased risk of side effects from mental health medication
http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/marijuana_and_teens
In the article "Marijuana and Teens" it talks about how teen marijuana use is at its highest in 30 years. . In 2011, a national study showed that one in eight 8th graders, one
in four 10th graders, and one in three 12th graders have used marijuana.
How to suspect when a teen is using Marijuana:
How to suspect when a teen is using Marijuana:
- Dizziness
- Acting silly for no reason
- Being hungry and eating more than usual
- Red eyes or use of eye drops
- Increased irritability or grumpiness
- Reduced motivation and lack of interest in usual activities
- Trouble remembering things that just happened
- A smell on clothes, or the use of incense or other deodorizers
- Owning clothing, posters, or jewelry encouraging drug use
- Having pipes or rolling papers
- Stealing money or having money that cannot be accounted for
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