AZ4NORML

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This educational supplement is aimed at providing more than standard information on medicinal marijuana in particular and marijuana in general. The goal of this paper is to expand educational awareness with the hope of persuading you, the reader, that properly educated and properly controlled medicinal marijuana and marijuana in general is nothing to be worried about and provides more uses of a beneficial nature than is worth prohibition, condemnation, and/or prosecution.

The first thing I want to point out is that there are actually two different types of marijuana, each with similar yet slightly different effects on the human body, which allows marijuana to be used for quite a deal more than it is currently allowed for by law in those states with an active medical marijuana program.

Another thing to take note of is that there is typically two components to a marijuana high. The mental effect on the individual and the bodily effect on the individual. The mental effect of marijuana from either strain tends to be about the same. In other words one is high regardless of which strain is used, however, the bodily effect changes depending on which strain of marijuana you use.

The two types are Cannabis Sativa and Cannabis Indica. Generally speaking, one has a tendency to put you on your butt for a while, and the other one is more likely to keep you going for a while. The Indica strain is the one I think most of us are familiar with, that’s the one more likely to put you on your butt and turn you into a lethargic couch potato, and that’s the scenario your most likely to see on anti- drug ads and what you’ll be exposed to for education in many schools.

The Sativa strain, however, is more like a heady adrenaline rush, a good cup of coffee, a caffeine pill, energy drink, etc. With Indica your high but often lethargic, and with Sativa your high but often energetic. Kind of like taking Excedrin vs Tylenol PM. For medical purposes having a choice between the two strains with their different effects allows for a lot of possible applications.

Sativa for instance could be an alternative for patients suffering from depression and/or assist in other ailments due to that depression, such as various forms of narcolepsy. Since Sativa often gives one a sense of well being, relieves pain, and lends a sense of energy to the individual it seems ideally suitable to such a circumstance. Not suitable for all applications Sativa is, however, due to it’s energetic properties probably the safer of the two strains.

Indica is the one I would expect to see one of those labels often found attached to a prescription bottle. “Warning: Until you know how Cannabis Indica may effect you do not operate a vehicle, etc., etc.” It’s also the one I think most people have been exposed to and see in the anti-drug ads and at schools, and for that reason worry about. Indica has it’s applications, but yes, there is a slight problem with being parked on your butt all the time. It would be no different than abusing a prescription grade pain reliever like morphine although probably not quite as “immobilizing.” It would be ideally suited as a sleep aid.

I don’t want to give a plethora of examples as that isn’t my goal here so much as it is to explore what can be done with marijuana. They both have appetite inducing properties, which may or may not be desirable, they both have pain and stress relieving properties, they both tend to lend a sense of pleasantness to an individual, one can lend you a little energy you, and the other one can help you rest. Take that information and apply it wherever is seems suitable to achieving a desired result. The mental high of marijuana is not much different than an alcohol high or a prescription pain reliever high and like most drugs the first use can be quite a bit different than the second and third and so on.  You build a tolerance the more you use it and the effects are not as “impairing” as they might otherwise be. All things considered marijuana is no less risky a thing to use as other items people are already using, albeit the smoking which many seem to look upon as a glaring mark. It is what it is, just one way to use it.

I think there is no doubt that marijuana if chosen as an option is extremely viable as a medicine. Given the effects it has on an individual generally speaking there should be no cause for criminal penalty. Criminal penalties I think should be reserved for undesirable behavior and one can control their behavior under the influence of marijuana just as much as someone taking prescription grade pain relievers can or someone who has a few drinks at a bar.

It is my hope that this information has taught you something new and persuaded you to believe that medicinal marijuana is at least worth a shot to try and that you will vote yes for a well designed medical marijuana initiative should it come up on a ballot. This is the least I hope for, however, it is also my hope that with this new information you might also be able to see that medical marijuana is good for more that just serious illness, and that if a patient can function in an acceptable manner while using medical marijuana so can someone who chooses to use marijuana for recreational use.

One last word if you will indulge me a moment longer. This is quick overview, minus all the details, of how I think an effective policy could be arranged. Decriminalize marijuana for medical use and allow for reputable growers and/or dispensaries, medical facilities, and patients to do business with one another subject to whatever guidelines might be imposed. Further more, decriminalize and allow personal possession and use, however, do not at this time allow for a business catering to the sale of marijuana for personal use. Plant possession for personal use would also be allowable, again subject to whatever guidelines may be imposed. That’s it minus the details, and once again, properly controlled, properly educated, and responsible use of marijuana is not to be worried about and provides more beneficial uses than is deserving of prohibition, condemnation, and/or prosecution.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

A Citizen of The United States of America In Support of Responsible Marijuana Use and AZ4NORML Contributor