Cannabis, or marijuana, in its pure form, is a part of many cultures throughout history. It has been used for its medicinal uses as well as to get users “high”.
Cannabis has also been used for recreational purposes, even though marijuana is considered to be a drug by the United States federal government, it is still legal in some states and countries around the world.
Here, are some reasons why cannabis is considered a drug:
Why cannabis is considered a drug
1. It triggers the opioid receptors in the brain. This can result in both depression and addiction.
2. It impairs brain development and could have a long-term negative effect on health.
3. It can even lead to anxiety disorders and panic attacks.
4. It can lead to impaired cognitive function.
5. It can lead to the formation of muscle spasms, nausea, vomiting, seizures, and even death. 6. It can lead to psychosis.
7. It has an addiction potential.
Marijuana is considered a drug because of several reasons. One of the most important reasons why marijuana is considered a drug is because it produces a “high”. According to science, Marijuana produces a “high” as a result of the intoxicating properties of cannabinoids.
The history of cannabis
The search for a better pain management for the American Civil War soldiers from 1861 to 1865 led to the discovery of the use of opium. The drug soon became highly popular with patients during the war and it was a standard medicine for injured soldiers. After the war, opium usage declined gradually and marijuana began to gain popularity amongst the upper class due to its perceived medical benefits.
It was also believed to be a cure for many ailments, ranging from fever and diarrhea to cancer, so, as people started abusing opium to get “high”, many doctors, including Dr. William W. Nichols, M.D., believed that marijuana had medicinal uses.
Where did marijuana come from? Marijuana has a long history, but much of its use goes back thousands of years, in different cultures around the world.
Cannabis legalization
Marijuana was once legal in the US. Since 1970, the drug has been classified as a Schedule I drug, one of the most severe drugs. The Schedule I classification comes with strict guidelines regarding usage and handling.
Marijuana can be detected in urine for up to 30 days after a person smokes it, in some cases, it can take up to 90 days before the smell in urine decreases. Marijuana is illegal in most countries around the world, especially in the United States and the European Union, these countries typically enforce laws that have been established to prohibit access to the drug, along with the use of the drug itself. Even though the use of marijuana is illegal in these countries, there are still a lot of people using it illegally.
Cannabis as an abused drug
In October 2015, US President Barack Obama signed the Financial Victim Impact and Public Safety Enforcement Act. The act, among other things, was aimed at making the opioid epidemic in the United States more difficult to ignore.
As a part of the law, Congress made the designation of marijuana as a Schedule I drug a felony punishable by jail time, as a Schedule I drug, marijuana is considered as “drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse”.
Widespread health concerns Marijuana has been linked to many side effects, including major health concerns like cancer, recently, research suggests that there are certain cancers which could possibly benefit from the use of marijuana, for example, Marijuana helps control glioblastoma and melanoma.
Health benefits of cannabis use
Aside from its medicinal benefits, marijuana has also been proven to be useful in treating a number of diseases and conditions. Here are some of the benefits of marijuana use: Sparing and decreasing seizures, many people with epilepsy have used medical marijuana as a treatment, in fact, as a result of its effectiveness, some states have approved its use in cases of epilepsy.
People who have experienced seizures before or since marijuana use may need to carry it around as a protection, however, if a person is taking other medications, marijuana cannot be used without a prescription.
Recreational use of marijuana Medical marijuana may be the preferred choice for people with epilepsy and their families.
Conclusion
There you have it, marijuana is considered to be a drug by the United States federal government but it is still legal in some states and countries around the world. Whether or not it is a drug or not is a personal decision. Marijuana should not be abused and used for recreational purposes, if used and abused it could lead to a great number of adverse effects that could result in addiction to the drug.
