The Myths and Misconceptions of Marijuana Use Essay Example

The Myths and Misconceptions of Marijuana Use Essay Example The Myths and Misconceptions of Marijuana Use Essay The Myths and Misconceptions of Marijuana Use Essay They blamed the atrocities happening in their societies on the plant while aiming their accusations toward ethnic minorities to create biased opinions with their supporter. Emerging studies have begun to grab the attention of the public with their shocking results. The old mentalities of the previous generation are dying out, with people now making informed decisions rather than believing what theyre told. With the abundance of becoming aware of the misconceptions of marijuana use. Cannabis is a type of plant that is cultivated for its various types of natural resources, also known as industrial hemp, but is also bred for its psychoactive effects on the body which have medicinal and recreational purposes. There are many known chemicals found within the plant, such as cannibalistic acid, which has similar properties to penicillin. Most notable is the primary active ingredient Delta-9 Dehydrogenations or simply ETC, which is what gives users their high. The United States of America currently considers cannabis as an illegal substance, with only 18 states having made it legal for personal consumption and cultivation. A common misunderstanding is that hemp and cannabis are the same. Although they are both products of the cannabis plants, the distinction comes from the methods used to cultivate themwhich yield different results. Hemp is grown in rows (very similar to corn crops), and bears the resemblance of thin bamboo sticks with wood- like cores. There are currently over 25,000 products that use hemp as a resource. Cannabis, or more commonly referred to as marijuana (Mexican Spanish derivative), is grown with plenty of room allowing the plant to expand its width rather than its height. One main difference between the two breeds is that hemp is generally ultimate outdoors and contains no more than 1% ETC, while marijuana is grown mainly indoors with artificial lighting to strengthen the degree of ETC potency roughly containing 10-20%. The psychoactive effects of inducing marijuana vary for each individual; however, most users experience a euphoric state-of-mind that alters their perception of reality, and heightening their sensory systems (e. G. Vision, touch, taste). The physical side effects include glossy or red eyes, increased heart rate, a dry mouth (commonly referred to as cotton mouth), and a relaxing sensation to the body muscles. Traditionally, marijuana is ground up and rolled into a marijuana cigaretteor is consumed with the use of a pipe. Recent studies have shown that the safest methods to ingesting marijuana is if its eaten by incorporating ETC in meal preparations, or by vaporizing it. A vaporizer is an electronic contraption that heats the weedopposed to combustionto extract the ETC, in the form of an inalienable vapor. For the most part, the effects of marijuana are very static and rarely change. Some of the less desirable effects cause short-term impairments, such as trouble with memory, ability o learn, having questionable Judgment, failure to effectively use motor functions, and an assortment of mental impairments (e. . Anxiety, excessive panic, and paranoia). Although these are common symptoms amongst the general users of marijuana, the negative side effects vary between each individual. There is no credible information at this time that links marijuana and the negative side effects listed above as an inherent presence with each dosage. Cannabis used for medical purposes, or medicinal marijuana, has been stud ied closely for its abilities to cure certain debilitating symptoms. It was first recognized for its magical properties to cure ailments. The first recorded use of marijuana as a medicinal drug occurred in 2737 B. C. By Chinese emperor Sheen Nuns. The emperor documented the drugs effectiveness in treating the pains of rheumatism and gout (2010, Random Facts, Para. 16). With current technologies and research development, medicinal marijuana people diagnosed with UN-curable diseases, marijuana has been put under the microscope for maximizing its potential properties. Doctors currently prescribe it to chemotherapy patients who experience nausea and vomiting, people with neurotic and chronic pains (e. . Lower back pains, arthritis, multiple sclerosis), individuals with a loss of appetite because of medical conditions, and for those who suffer from sleep-related disorders such as insomnia. Its no secret that marijuana has gained a negative image with the public. It has been portrayed as a substance that turns people into lazy stoner who have no sense of direction or goals. However, the same can be said about alcohol. Sure there are some functional alcoholics that maintain an acceptable level of performance in their personal and professional lives, but have a dependency on consuming excessive amounts of alcohol daily. The amount that they induce could incapacitate an average person who drinks on occasionor even cause alcohol poisoning. The same can be said about marijuana users and their capabilities to maintain normal lifestyles. When analyzing the reasons for peoples decisions to drink alcohol or smoke marijuana recreational, they tend to have the same response. For instance, its still rare to see it shown on televisionbut it has made its way onto the big screen. Along with alcohol, the two party-enhancers are commonly seen in movies aimed at the coming of age teens and experimental young adults. If nee could host or be a part of a wild out-of-control party that rewards you with bikini- clad girls and epic re-tell value exaggerations of comical proportionand all it takes is a bit of alcohol or weed? Chances are, they had their minds made up before the previews even started. Peer pressurecoupled with the glorified image of these substances in pop-culture entertainment have become the recipe for impressionable teens seeking out new ways to gain acceptance from their peers. Sadly, the desire of todays youth and young adults to conform to the social norms set by popular media outlets has never been more prominent than it is now. For individuals that struggle with shyness, are disinclined, and have personal inhibitionsconsuming copious amounts of alcohol to reach a point of inebriation is a road they would rather take than be heckled and antagonized for their concerns. The same can be said about smoking marijuana, as it has the tendency to make a person more talkative and appear more cheerful. Last, there are individuals who have stressful days because of strenuous activity (whether it be physical or mental) and simply enjoy indulging in a drink or two. Marijuana mirrors this habit, as users will wish to mellow out. However, his is also where the substance abuse is found. People with daily strugglessuch as anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship issues, financial troubles, etc. often turn to substances to help them forget their worries and escape reality. Although alcohol and marijuana share similar qualities, there are also some clear distinctions between the two. Marijuana is known to induce a calm, relaxing experience while alcohol has been targeted for easily agitating the temperament of a boozeroften advocating violence as a solution. While there are many positive benefits for the use and production of cannabis, it entities to face negative sti gmas and stereotypes with the general public. For instance, many regard marijuana as a gateway drugbut a persons susceptibility to has been acknowledged for its versatility as a resource, it remains outlawed because of the concern that the cultivation of hemp will undoubtedly lead to the legalization of marijuana. A large majority of the concerned public are parents who worry about the impression and influence marijuana will have on their children. Maybes its more important to assess the history of how we dealt with the prohibition of alcohol in the sassand how loosely its viewed by todays standards.