Marijuana - Investigative

8/4/2019 Marijuana - Investigative

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Mary Jane By: Darlene S. Debolgado

Weeds on a pot; rolled foils and

wrappers flared and fired; smokes hover

around a dark voiding space under smirkingand gnashing euphoric breath – Mary Jane is

to be blamed; Mary Jane is always to be the

blame.

Mary Jane – a term coined by people

for the most controversial plant – theMarijuana (hemp) or the Cannabis Sativa.

The term Marijuana is the Spanish term for

Mary Jane, the Spanish common name for

the plant. It has been long banned andillegalized by different states because of its

psychoactive properties that serve to be an

agent in achieving euphoria, leading to

possible societal destruction and crime. It isdefined by our government as a plant or a

drug that alters the mood and some

authorities call it a “gateway” drug.However, it cannot be classified as narcotic

drug like the shabu because it is an herb.

Looking on its history, Marijuanahas been known and used by people since

7000 – 8000 BCE and is believed to had

woven the first ever fabric. In the early 6000BCE, its seeds were used as food in China

and in 2727 BCE the cannabis was used as

remedy to different health problems such asrheumatism, gout, malaria and absent-

mindedness. Though aware of its

intoxicating properties, the Chinese people

thought that its medicinal value was farmore important.

The drastic transition of the herb’s

reputation started on the peak of itspopularity. It was when travelling musicians

embellished its use and started glamourizing

it. Some claimed that it gave theminspiration that somehow gave them the

right verve to play their music; others use it

for euphoric and intoxicating purposes.

Thus, the use of the Cannabis eventually

changed and it became prevalent worldwide.

Here in the Philippines, the

Marijuana is popularly known and used as a

prohibited drug. According to Section 6 of Republic Act no. 9165 on the

Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs act that

the penalty of cultivation, culture andhandling of Marijuana is punishable by life

time imprisonment to death, and a fine

ranging from five hundred thousand pesos(P 500,000) to ten million pesos (P

10,000,000) regardless of its quantity. To

carry out the provisions of the said act, the

PDEA or the Philippine Drug Enforcement

Agency is the implementing arm board thatis responsible for the said act to take effect.

According to PDEA, Marijuana’sdominant ingredient delta – 9 tetrahydro

cannabinol (delta – 9 – THC) is theprimordial element that poisons and kills.

Using the drug can damage the brain,

disrupts the coordination of movements that

may result to accidents. Also, smoking it canlead to lung diseases such as bronchitis and

cancer. Furthermore, the continuous use of

which can loose one’s sanity. That is why

they are doing their best educating, speciallythe youth, on the different effects Marijuana

can cause to one’s body.

However, a study released by

Harvard on April 17, 2007 showed that the

active component in Marijuana, the THC,reduces half of the tumour growth in lung

cancer. The researchers at Harvard tested the

THC in both lab and mouse studies and they

concluded that the THC activates andproduces natural receptors that reduce the

spread of cancer cells. Also, a British pilot

study completed a clinical trial testing of THC as treatment against cancer growth.

For three weeks, researchers injected doses

of THC into a mouse that was implanted



with human lung cancer cells. They found

out that the tumours reduced fifty percent insize and weight. Another 60 percent reduced

on lung cancer lesions and protein markers

with cancer progression. When tried to

cancer patients, the THC causes painreduction, aggression reduction and also

helps reduce nausea. Higher doses of THC

lead to being high. It can also alterperception of time and space and euphoria.

Another interesting study, accordingto Joan Bello, the author of a book entitled

“The Benefits of Marijuana: Physical,

Psychological & Spiritual” Marijuana is a

Supreme Holistic Medicine. She explains

that: the effect of Marijuana to the ANSenhances both sides of the brain. More and

cleaner blood is being sent to the brain and

this means more oxygen is being processed,thus, a cleared and broader thinking. Joan

further stated in her book: “ Instead of a

perspective that sees the whole person and

the simple holistic effect of marijuana, a

myopic and reductionistic method of

measurement has been employed, and

marijuana’s profound meaning for health

ha s been lost.”

On the other hand, users shared their

experience with the hemp. When asked of

the reasons why they used it, some said that

it is due to lack of confidence in dealingwith decisions and the Marijuana’sintoxicating effect helps boost their

personality and confidence. Others wouldsay that they used Marijuana because of peer

pressure and they had been using it just to

have a good laughter and bonding. Somewould say that they want to escape thereality of their problems and the smoking

weed will help them lighten up their carried

baggage; and for some, they would say thatthey use it just because they like the light

and pleasant feeling it gives.

When asked regarding the effects of

smoking hemp to their health, they did notgive any comment about it. Surprisingly,

some says that smoking weed actually gives

them a very strong appetite and helps in

adding to their weight. They also said that itkeeps them awake on late-night duties

without feeling the stress.

People have heard what the different

things the Marijuana can and can’t do. As

history suggests and by the time Marijuana’spopularity progressed, many people have

also witnessed the huge change of how

people treat and use it. However, whether ornot Mary Jane actually kills still, it will not

change the fact that it will remain hemp, anherb that has been here since the foundationsof the world. The effects and benefits itgives will remain the same. Furthermore,

whatever happens, it will still not change the

fact that whenever people abuse and misusethis controversial herb, Mary Jane will

always be the blame.



Photos Reference

http://www.amazon.com/Joan-Bello/e/B001KC9X4G/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

http://www.examiner.com/hemp-industry-in-national/hemp-textile-wholesalers-the-u-s

http://profiles.friendster.com/71492424

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-

dyn/content/article/2010/05/12/AR2010051204933.html







http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/12/AR2010051204933.html








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