The latest science “debunks the old myths” that surround marijuana use. This is according to Paul Armentano, deputy director of NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws). He notes that “over 23,000 peer-reviewed papers” relating to marijuana has shown that modern science has already proven the “government’s claims that the herb is a highly dangerous substance lacking therapeutic efficacy,” is false.
He highlights 5 studies that stand out above the rest.
A Study that shows that Marijuana Abuse is Declining
Researchers from the Washington School of Medicine in St Louis have found that between 2002 and 2013, marijuana use disorders have declined. This comes despite a 19% rise in the number of people who admit to marijuana use.
“We’re certainly seeing some increases in marijuana use,” said the lead researcher of the study. “But our survey didn’t notice any increase in marijuana-related problems. Certainly, some people are having problems so we should remain vigilant, but the sky is not falling.”
Last year, a paper claimed that cannabis use had doubled over the last decade. It also estimated that one third of these people were using marijuana “problematically.” The Washington School of Medicine’s paper seems to contradict both claims of this study.
Marijuana use causes Drivers to take greater care while Driving
A federal study published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology studied the effect of cannabis vapor on test subjects’ simulated driving behavior. What they found was that cannabis use caused drivers to decrease speed, and leave a larger gap between themselves and the vehicle in front of them. They found that alcohol had the opposite effect, causing drivers to accelerate and move closer to vehicles in front of them.
“The compensatory behavior exhibited by cannabis-influenced drivers distinctly contrasts with an alcohol-induced higher risk behavior,” said the researchers.
Smoking Marijuana does not cause Depression; instead, Depressed People turn to Marijuana
A study that lasted three years and analysed the behavior of 8,600 men, found that there was no link between marijuana use and depression or anxiety.
Correlation is not causation; some test subjects who were already suffering from depression were found to have turned to marijuana use. On the other hand, they were also more likely to also use other types of illegal drugs.
Marijuana use reduces pain and reduces a Patient’s reliance on Highly Addictive Opioid Painkillers
According to clinical trial data reported in the Clinical Journal of Pain, cannabis use was found to reduce pain in two thirds of the 176 patients examined. All of them were unaffected by other sorts of pain medication. Not only were their pain scores improved, most also believe that they had experienced a “robust” improvement in their quality of life.
The overall amount of opiods used also declined by 44%.
Noted in the First Study, passing Medical Marijuana Laws does not lead to increased Teen Usage.
According to a review of US federal drug use data from between 2002 and 2011, “[T]here is no evidence of a differential increase in past-month marijuana use in youth that can be attributed to state MML (medical marijuana laws).”
Though the states where medical marijuana has been legalised possess higher rates of marijuana ussage, these states already had higher levels of marijuana consumption, with the new laws not contributing to this.
This study is corroborated by the findings of researchers from Columbia University in New York and the University of Michigan, among several other studies, who conclude that:
“[T]he results of this study showed no evidence for an increase in adolescent marijuana use after the passage of state laws permitting use of marijuana for medical purposes. … [C]oncerns that increased marijuana use is an unintended effect of state marijuana laws seem unfounded.”
Sources: Alternet
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Been following the progress made in parts of America with regard to the legal status of cannabis with glee for you guys. And today I heard for the first time, on mainstream media, talk of it being suggested for legalisation here in the UK. And about time too!
Interesting
I LIKE WEED…
but to say that it does not have a link to
depression or anxiety is my case is not true.
I had been smoking it for 22 years.
The first 16 was solid and the last 6 green.
In the last 5 years of smoking it I suffered from depression and anxiety attacks.
I then made the choice to stop 1 year ago
and with in 2 months all my depression and anxiety had gone (so had my IBS).
I feel so much better but I STILL MISS IT…
Much as I always loved Pot, I was always aware of the feeling it was damaging my brain.In my opinion It isn’t a good idea to legalise it.
That is your dream,brother..try to chill when you will take weed. In my turn-i like to play asphalt and discuss thousand topics. Even i tookdown time travel theory also.i had prove it wrong..:D … so try to chill..
Yes Md. Mehady, I used to read minds when I smoked weed.But one day you may come to realise …and I hope you do… that the weed is in charge of you,rather than you being in charge of the weed. Then you can move on and hopefully reach your full potential as a fully developed human being.Rather than stay forever under the influence of a plant.
One day after making love after smoking weed, I went into a terrifying other world. My whole being was in that world and I had no hope of ever getting free.
an endless world of mist, without limits or any other objects or people, and I knew there weren’t even any corners or anywhere else to escape the mist. No one else. I can’t adequately describe the horror I felt. I’ve never smoked dope again.
Sex and drugs are very dangerous. When I “came out” of that state.(I wasn’t fully sure that I wasn’t still there for a long time afterwords)I asked myself where I’d been and was made to understand it was purgatory, even though I’ve never been a catholic or thought anything about purgatory.
And this.. this level of bullshit spreading Mike is why no one believes people like you that claim to have smoked weed. You’re full of it hahahaha
A really don’t agree wae yur man’s reaserch, a wiz a heavy smoker of slids fur nearly 18 years and a luvd it, bit suddenly a cood feel a darkness paranoia, anxiety ,severe panic attacks, it’s got so bad a can’t even sit in MA best friends company without taken really bad funny turns, ave gave up noo but every day is still a fight
On a positive note. I’m short sighted and I remember once being able to see perfectly without wearing glasses the next day. It didn’t last long unfortunately. I know some people are studying this and it would be great if they could find an answer other than having to wear specs or contacts.
But if everybody smoked dope it would be a disaster for society smoking dope makes everybody slow and unproductive and they aren’t even aware of it. it’s bad enough now seeing all the women getting pissed in public without any shame. Once they just used to have a Babycham! The sixties didn’t liberate us,Social Marxism destroyed us!