User talk:Diana1991/sandbox

Effects of Medicinal Marijuana
According to a 2009 survey, there are approximately 160 million people, ages 15-64, using marijuana which makes it the most commonly illegal drug in the world (Smith et al. 2010). Marijuana is considered a mild hallucinogen drug with some of the same depressant and disinhibiting effects as alcohol and is considered to be a Class I controlled substance according to U.S. law, which defines marijuana as unacceptable for medicinal purposes (Phoenix 2009). However, the primary ingredient in marijuana is tetrahydrocannibol (THC) and what gives it medicinal properties. The primary purpose of THC is to bind to cannabinoid receptors in the brain but it has been found that the attachment to the receptors can cause opposite responses than what is intended; and also, personality disturbances, depression, and even chronic anxiety (Ejelonu 2008). It needs to be understood that these receptors are in areas of the brain that affect memory, thinking, concentration, perception of time and coordinated movements (NIDA 2010). Studies have proven that even though simple tasks can still be performed while experiencing the effects of marijuana, more effort is necessary than normal when trying to perform visuospatial tasks requiring working memory with some harder tasks not being accomplished at all (Smith et al. 2010). Finally, Smoking one marijuana cigarettte, which is its primary mode of ingestion, contains the same exposure to cancer-causing materials as smoking five tobacco cigarettes (Phoenix 2009). Research has shown similar, if not worse, impacts, including coughing, wheezing, increased phlegm, and chronic bronchitis, on the functioning of the respiratory system when smoking marijuana versus that of regular tobacco (Moore et al. 2005). When comparing the evidence of benefits versus adversities of using medicinal marijuana, substantial evidence is not adequate for its expanding use as it is shown to be detrimental to society due to its alteration of one’s capability to concentrate on and retain information, judgment, and diminished respiratory health. Diana1991 (talk) 18:16, 1 December 2012 (UTC) Works Cited CannabisMD.net “Cannabis Medical Dictionary” COPYRIGHT; LIFEVINE MEDIA. 2008 WEB.  Moore, Brent A & Erik M Augustson & Richard P Moser & Alan J Budney “Respiratory Effects of Marijuana and Tobacco Use in a U.S. Sample” Web. Jan. 2005  NIDA National Institute on Drug Abuse “DrugFacts: Marijuana” Web. Nov. 2010  Phoenix House American Council for Drug Education (ACDE) “BASIC FACTS ABOUT DRUGS: MARIJUANA” 2009 Copyright Phoenix House. Web.  Smith, Andra M. & Carmelinda A. Longo & Peter A. Fried & Matthew J. Hogan & Ian Cameron “Effects of marijuana on visuospatial working memory: an fMRI study in young adults” Web. 20 April 2010  Weinstein, Aviv & Orit Brickner & Hedva Lerman & Mazal Greemland & Miki Bloch & Hava Lester & Roland Chisin & Raphael Mechoulam & Rachel Bar-Hamburger & Nanette Freedman & Einat Even-Sapir “Brain imaging study of the acute effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on attention and motor coordination in regular users of marijuana” Web. 26 September 2007 