Marijuana:
The Use, The Effects and The Oregon Ducks
Introduction
You might have heard about “grass,” “herb,” “weed,” “Mary Jane,” “skunk,” “boom,” “gangster” or simply, “pot.” Also known as marijuana. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Marijuana is the most commonly abused illicit drug in the United States” (NIDA). Marijuana is a dry, shredded mix of leaves, flowers, seeds and stems of the plant Cannabis sativa. Most commonly, it is smoked as a cigarette or from a pipe.
Use of Marijuana
You might have heard the phrase (or excuse) that “Everyone is doing it.” Well, they’re not, luckily. Rates of marijuana use declined every year since 1990 (NIDA), until 2006 when the rates slightly increased. And they’ve been increasing ever since. The NIDA goes on to state that 6.6 percent of 12th grades in the United States reported using marijuana daily in 2011 (up from 5.0 percent in 2006). Marijuana is considered to be a “gateway drug” meaning it opens the doors to other drugs. A report indicated that 60 percent of young people who use marijuana would soon begin using cocaine (American Council for Drug Education).
Most people who use marijuana make “joints” which look like cigarettes, but instead of tobacco, they are rolled with marijuana. “Blunts” are also popular; these are hollowed out cigars re-rolled with marijuana. Though most commonly smoked, marijuana can also be created into tea or mixed in to brownies and other baked goods.
Effects of Marijuana Use
The list of effects of marijuana could go on for a long time. There are short-term effects and long-term effects. And it is possible that these effects are different for each person and how much they use marijuana.
Within minutes of inhaling the marijuana, the person will begin to feel a “high.” The tetrahydocannabinol, or THC chemical in marijuana triggers the brain to release dopamine, which is the chemical in the brain that produces happy or pleasant feelings (NIDA for Teens). However, this feeling won’t last long. Marijuana causes a loss of coordination, memory, judgment and perception. All these things create a dangerous atmosphere when driving, flirting with a girl at a party or perhaps even playing in a football game.
One of the most dangerous effects of marijuana use is the way it increases heart rate. Just minutes after inhaling marijuana the heart can beat 20 to 50 more beats per minute.
Other dangers of marijuana include; impaired perception, diminished memory, loss of concentration, increased risk of accidents, loss of motivation, decreased inhibitions, increased anxiety, panic attacks, hallucinations, and damage to the respiratory, reproductive and immune systems (American Council for Drug Education).
As far as long-term effects, people who have used marijuana for several years might experience a lost of ability for perform simple or complex tasks; this could effect a person’s academic accomplishments, or worse, their athletic goals.
Marijuana has also been linked to mental problems, lung problems and addiction. However, the likelihood of addiction is based off of several factors. For instance, prolonged use of marijuana clearly could cause addiction. Daily use is also a factor. The type of marijuana or how potent the marijuana a person uses also can cause marijuana.
Medical Marijuana
Although marijuana is illegal in most states, there is such thing as medical marijuana. Marijuana has been used as a medicine since before 2900 BC when the Chinese people have been reported using the plant as medicine. In 70 AD it was reported that the Romans used marijuana leaves to suppress sexual longing. And in 1611 Jamestown settlers brought the plant to North America, during this time marijuana was used to decrease the symptoms of depression and decrease pain. Massachusetts in 1911 was the first state to outlaw the plant Cannabis. And on February 19, 1925 the League of Nations signed a treaty stating that Cannabis was only to be used for scientific and medical purposes only. On November 24, 1976 the Federal Court was the first to rule a person’s use of marijuana as a “medical necessity” (Medical Marijuana, ProCon). And ever since then the use of medical marijuana has increased. And just this year, Massachusetts became the eighteenth state to legalize marijuana.
Those who are supportive of the use of medical marijuana state that is has been proven to be “safe and effective for treatment of symptoms of cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, pain, glaucoma, epilepsy and other conditions” (Medical Marijuana).
However, those in opposition of medical marijuana cards indicate that marijuana is too dangerous and lacks FDA approval. They also state that marijuana can interfere with driving ability, fertility, and eventually leads to damage of the brain, lungs and immune system (Medical Marijuana).
Legalizing Marijuana
There are eighteen states that have legalized medical marijuana. The first state to legalize medical marijuana was California in 1996. The most recent states that legalized medical marijuana were Massachusetts and Connecticut. And two states, Colorado and Washington, became the first two states to legalize recreational marijuana, just last month (Time Magazine).
Oregon Football
The state of Oregon is known for being a “hippie” state with lots of dreads, tie-dye and of course pot. And while living there for two years, I can attest the rumors to be true. I have never seen more dreads, tie-dye or pot use in my life. While in Oregon, I learned a lot about marijuana, maybe more than I ever wanted to know.
Oregon is one of the eighteen states that has legalized medical marijuana, meaning that residents of Oregon can obtain a medical marijuana card, making it legal for them to be in possession or be using the drug. And boy does Oregon have its medical problems, because it seems as if everyone there has a medical marijuana card. Whether it is for back pain or a stubbed toe, they have the card and they use it.
In most states it is legal to do random drug tests, at any time for any reason. However, in Oregon drug tests are only legal if there is a suspicion of drug use. Thus, making it easier for athletes and all students at the University of Oregon to use marijuana.
In an article written by Sam Alipour, for ESPN Magazine, they concluded that 40 to 60 percent of the Oregon football team has experimented with marijuana (ESPN Magazine). The players reported that smoking marijuana helps them to relax before games. And the biggest bonus, marijuana doesn’t have a hangover effect. Though some players say that hangover wouldn’t matter because marijuana helps them play better.
And while medical marijuana is legal in Oregon and more specifically, Eugene (where the campus of the Ducks is), the administration does hold all student athletes to a no drug standard. The administration isn’t all talk either, as a few of their strongest football players have been suspended from games and from the team because of their marijuana use.
The Question
The question is; should marijuana be legalized? As the first two states have now legalized recreational use of marijuana, more and more states will be faced with the same question. And soon enough, marijuana will be legal in lots of states and instead of Oregon being the hippie, pot-head state, the United States will become the hippie, pot-head country.
References
18 Legal Medical Marijuana States and DC - Medical Marijuana - ProCon.org. (n.d.). Medical Marijuana ProCon.org. Retrieved December 1, 2012, from http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000881
Alipour, S. (n.d.). NCF - Oregon Ducks don't deny the drug culture in Eugene - ESPN The Magazine - ESPN. ESPN: The Worldwide Leader In Sports. Retrieved December 1, 2012, from http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7819621/ncf-oregon-ducks-deny-drug-culture-eugene-espn-magazine
Audience. (n.d.). Marijuana | National Institute on Drug Abuse. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Retrieved December 1, 2012, from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana
Basic Facts About Drugs: Marijuana. (n.d.). ACDE home page. Retrieved December 1, 2012, from http://www.acde.org/common/Marijana.htm
Facts about the effects of marijuana for teens NIDA. (n.d.). NIDA for Teens: The Science Behind Drug Abuse. Retrieved December 1, 2012, from http://teens.drugabuse.gov/facts/facts_mj2.php
Historical Timeline - Medical Marijuana - ProCon.org. (n.d.). Medical Marijuana ProCon.org. Retrieved December 1, 2012, from http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000143
Marijuana: MedlinePlus. (n.d.). National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health. Retrieved December 1, 2012, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/marijuana.html
Medical Marijuana ProCon.org. (n.d.). Medical Marijuana ProCon.org. Retrieved December 1, 2012, from http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org
Szalavitz, M. (n.d.). Colorado, Washington Become First States to Legalize Marijuana | TIME.com. Health & Family | A healthy balance of the mind, body and spirit | TIME.com. Retrieved December 1, 2012, from http://healthland.time.com/2012/11/07/two-u-s-states-become-first-to-legalize-marijuana/
