Weed is simply a “hip” name for Marijuana or Cannabis, which is a preparation of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug, and as medicine
So, is weed bad for you?
There are various forms of weed, and some are certainly more potent than others, but are they harmful?
In the so called “war against drugs”, governments, with the support of the media, tend not to make sufficient distinction between “hard” and “soft” drugs. Whilst it is true that, in recent years, there has been a growing awareness that there IS a difference, much confusion still exists.
The primary fear about weed is that it is a “gateway” drug, meaning that its users will automatically gravitate to using harder drugs, such as Heroin or Cocaine.
Whilst this does happen occasionally, there is no evidence of a direct link, and most weed users do not move on to harder drugs, at least not on a permanent basis. There has also been a developing recognition of its therapeutic benefits, and the use of “Medical Marijuana” is now widely accepted.
Given the changing perceptions, Life Daily thought that now would be a good time to debunk some of the more popular myths which surround weed and its users.
Dr. David Juulink is a toxicologist and drug safety researcher at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, Canada. His understanding of the effects of weed is especially valid, since a recent UNICEF survey showed that Canadian youngsters smoke more marijuana than kids anywhere else in the developed world.
However, Canada ranks third-lowest in terms of cigarette smoking by children. Dr. Juulink says that cigarette smoking is far more dangerous to health than occasional marijuana use.
What are the other myths which claim weed is bad for you?
Myth #1 – Weed is carcinogenic
Because some of those who smoke weed mix it with tobacco, it is not possible to claim that any effects on health are a result of weed alone.
Myth #2 – Weed is addictive
Cannabis is a much less addictive substance than, say, alcohol or nicotine. And, the health consequences of its use are far less serious. Even caffeine is more habit-forming than cannabis!
When people have intense cravings, and they use something knowing that it’s harmful, and when they stop using it, they experience withdrawal – that’s addiction. Cannabis is one of the least addictive recreational drugs out there.
Myth #3 – Smoking weed has bad long term affects
There’s really very little data to suggest that is the case.
Myth #4 – Weed has acute effects on the body
Cannabis isn’t readily classified as a depressant, hallucinogen, or stimulant. Alcohol is a depressant, Cocaine is a stimulant, and magic mushrooms are hallucinogens. Weed only exhibits these factors to a limited degree.
Myth #5 – Weed is a gateway drug
Most users of weed do not end up shooting heroine or snorting cocaine. For those few who do, it is almost certainly a function of the individual, and is connected to certain social and other factors, rather than a direct effect of marijuana itself. Marijuana is no more a gateway drug than nicotine.
Myth #6 – Weed can make you schizophrenic or depressed
This is a logical fallacy. It’s a question of which came first. Does the cannabis use precede the mental-health problems, or is it that people who are psychotic use cannabis to self-medicate?
Myth #7 – Weed has no medical benefits
There are years of anecdotal and clinical support for its effectiveness in relieving chronic pain, nausea, and glaucoma. Now, there is new research which shows that the active compounds in the drug can actually kill cancer cells. Guillermo Velasco, a professor at Madrid’s Complutense University, has found that the drug has a powerful tumor-shrinking effect in rodents with breast, liver, pancreatic and brain cancers.
Next, he hopes to test the hypothesis on people. “I think we’ll see clinical trials in the next five years”, says Velasco. “Cannabinoids also ameliorate the side effects of chemotherapy, so they could make patients feel better in general.”
It appears, on balance, that there is no compelling evidence that weed is bad for you.
But, as in all things, moderation is the key. Do you agree? What effects have you experienced from using weed?
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