Constructive criticisms please-cannabis debate.

Gryphonn · #1 05-13-2008, 12:16 PM

Hey all
I have been having a civilized 'discussion' on a blog in cybrerspace. The people I have been 'talking' to are anti-pot legalization type folk. I have made a response to some comments and would like some constructive criticism. Have I missed anything? Have I copped out? Have I become a pro-pot legend in my own lunch-box? Or am I just being a fuck knuckle propeller head?
I'd like to expand on this at some point, so any constructive comments would be greatly appreciated. I've got my pseudo-scientist hat on in this post.

Here you go:

Quote:

Hi Tom and John
First, my apologies for such a long reply, but cannabis research is something I am passionate about.

In respect to alcohol and cannabis. Studies have shown that mixing alcohol and cannabis can increase the harmful effects of alcohol. Scientists are still working on exactly how and why this occurs.

In respect to 'outlawed drugs'. I don't condone cannabis (or chemical drug) abuse, and I don't condone alcohol or prescription drug abuse.
However, I do find it unfortunate that many people consider cannabis on a par with drugs such as methamphetamines, cocaine and heroin.
Cannabis itself has been used as a medicinal drug for thousands of years, longer than alcohol has been used as a social or medicinal drug.
It is not, contrary to popular belief, a physically addictive drug. However, to those with 'addictive personalities', it can be hard to break the habit if you have become a cannabis abuser. Further, for those people (especially younger people) predisposed to psychological conditions such as psychoses and schizophrenia, it is believed that it may trigger these conditions in high doses (ie abuse).
On the plus side,current research into cannabinoids have found that they can do a number of things; kill CBM brain cancer cells while leaving healthy cells intact. It can induce an increase in chemicals that promote brain cell development. It is widely regarded in scientific circles as a more effective neurological (nerve) pain suppressor than any current prescription narcotic. For the same reasons, it is extremely effective as a pain reliever for cancer and chemotherapy related pain, as well as the pains associated with Multiple Sclerosis.
Cannabis is well known for its ability to reduce the inflammation and pain associated with glaucoma. Some of the latest studies have shown that cannabinoids administered in the right dose can 'reduce' depression and anxiety. However, higher doses can reverse the effect on depression and exacerbate the problem. Further research is being conducted to determine the optimum dosage of THC and other cannabinoids in this respect.
Sadly, in respect to cancers of the lung, there are many conflicting studies. Some state that it increases the risk, while other studies show no effect at all and even show it has no causal effect for emphysema.

Further on the psychological effects of cannabis.
Tom, yes cannabis does make some people paranoid in early stages of use. Long term users report that this 'paranoia' diminishes over time. You'll also find that long term users (not abusers) do not suffer from hallucinations or other schizophrenia related delusions.

(NOTE to Rollitup folk: The blogger I responded to stated that Dr Checinski said "cannabis...can lead to acute and severe psychotic episodes (including believing strange, often fearful things and seeing or hearing things that aren't there)".)

You may be interested to know that Dr Checinski also stated, in respect to research into the medicinal use of psylocibin (magic mushrooms) and LSD:

"In terminal care the patient has a right to be pain free, but also has a right to go about their business in the usual way during the final weeks of their lives.

It's unacceptable to be made psychologically unwell during this period.

But most drugs also have a medical use - amphetamine and cocaine derivatives, opiates, tranquillisers and now the cannabinols - so there is no reason why we shouldn't consider using the serotonin agonists (hallucinogens).

However, governments should provide funding for this type of research, not vested interest groups."

This is where the problem lies with cannabis. There are two extremely opposed sides in the scientific, political and economic communities. It has been suggested that a strong influence in maintaining cannabis prohibition is from pharmaceutical companies who are fearful that full blown cannabis decriminalization will lead to a drop in profits from manufactured drugs, if people can grow their own medicine in their backyard. Yes, I know this sounds like a conspiracy theory, but it is an arguably viable reason. Many, many highly addictive and psychoactive prescription chemical drugs could become redundant if cannabis becomes freely available.
As I have stated, I don't condone cannabis abuse. However, I am of the belief, after twenty years of studying the pros and cons of the drug, that it has a multitude of beneficial attributes that should be exploited.

Note to Rollitup folk
(John thinks that drinking is a 'normal' thing and that the toxins need to be removed from alcoholic drinks to make them safer)

John, I'm not sure what you mean by 'removing toxins' from alcoholic beverages. The problem with alcoholic beverages is that they contain ethanol, and to a lesser extent, methanol. The body breaks down ethanol using hepatocyte enzymes. Alcohol dehydrogenase converts the ethanol into acetaldehyde, a very toxic chemical. The body then uses a second enzyme, aldehyde dehydrogenase which converts the acetaldehyde into acetic acid. Once this process occurs, the body can pass the acid from the liver and out visa the kidneys as a waste product through urine.
When one drinks to excess, the body cannot convert the acetaldehyde quickly enough, and the body starts to poison itself. Acidosis is one of the negative effects on the body.

Compounding this problem is methanol. The enzymes in our liver convert it to a mixture of three chemicals; formaldehyde, formic acid and lactic acid. However, it is a far slower process than the conversion of ethanol. The combination of these and acetaldehyde are the causes of hangovers, alcoholic poisoning (should be called alcohol induced toxic shock in my opinion) and death. Unfortunately for drinkers, if we want to remove the 'toxins', it means removing the alcohol, the whole reason people drink the stuff in the first place.

On a personal note, my drinking habits are in the order of maybe a six pack in any six month period. I have used cannabis as a medicinal drug for many years though. Sometimes for extended periods. I have found the correct dosage 'for me' to alleviate the physical pain I suffer due to a car accident (caused by alcohol abuse) years ago, and osteomyelitis. I also use it to alleviate anxiety attacks that I suffer as a result of sexual child abuse when I was a young teenager.

(Note to Rollitup folk: I fibbed a bit here to try and kep the comment from becoming an epic. I do suffer anxiety attacks and depression. But there are many factors that contribute to me having these problems, not just the abuse)

Ironically, I started abusing alcohol, then cannabis when I was being abused in an attempt to stop the anxiety and to 'forget' about the sexual abuse. It took ten years for me to realize that the abuse of the drug was not good for me. Thirty years later I am still (I believe) a healthy, intelligent adult that has suffered no ill effects from the drug.
I could explain to you in detail any and all psychological effects this drug has had on me positively, and negatively when abused, but this reply would end up a thesis.

I firmly believe that this drug needs more intensive study to determine effective doses and to find out what other beneficial effects cannabinoids can have for people. This also applies to studies into the detrimental effects of the drug when it is abused. Drug abuse of any kind, legal or otherwise is a bad thing. Responsible use is a completely different kettle of fish. Simply rejecting cannabis out of hand would be ignoring an effective medicine.

So, what do you folks think. I respect your opinions and will take them on board.

Gryphonn · #2 05-13-2008, 03:51 PM

Bumpetty bump bump bump bipbip.