The Most Misunderstood Drug in the World

Why is marijuana against the law? It grows naturally upon our planet. Doesn’t the idea of making nature against the law seem to you a bit… unnatural?

Bill Hicks

As the debate rages globally on the use of Marijuana and its effects on users whether positive or negative, most countries are torn between legalizing or decriminalizing it or maintaining the status quo as an illegal substance. Places where the drug has been legalized have claimed carrying out extensive research on it and found its benefits out-weigh the detriments while others remain skeptical about legalizing it basing their reservations on the society moral compass. The growing disconnect between its proponents and those against it have made Marijuana one of the most misunderstood drug in the world with each side fronting their own arguments and prolonging the debate on it. Historians have noted its use among humans stretching over 6,000 years ago where early civilizations cultivated it for; food, fiber, oil and paper. A Chinese medical journal dating nearly 2700 BC encouraged its use in the treatment of constipation, malaria, rheumatic pain and female disorders showing we’ve been using it for thousands of years.

If we’ve been using it since the dawn of civilization, then why is it still the most misunderstood drug in the world, what perspective advanced by those against it are its proponents over-looking and vice-versa.

A 2015 United Nation’ (World Drug Report) estimated 3% of the world’s population had consumed it, i.e. 128-232 million (between the ages of 15-65 years). More than 20 countries have decriminalized or limited it to personal or medicinal purposes, with North Korea having one of the most lax laws in the consumption & sale of Marijuana and more countries considering legislation that will allow limited or controlled use.

As its use worldwide steadily rises each year and more countries joining the fray in decriminalizing it, it’s imperative to demystify the drug by having factual and correct information which will help in understanding it better.

“When you smoke the herb, it reveals you to yourself”.

Bob Marley

Marijuana is from the Cannabis plant growing 8-12 feet high and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) as its main ingredient affecting cannabinoids receptors found in the brain resulting in the High effect one feel after partaking it. It has 2 different species; indica and sativa where pure or hybrid strains can be derived with OG Kush as the most potent. Its effect begin few minutes after smoking it, and can last several hours later, if consumed as food or liquid the effects will take longer to be felt. Marijuana affects the user physical & mental state like; increased heart rate, dry mouth, bloodshot eyes, increased appetite(munchies), lowered inhibition, drowsiness, silliness and in some cases anxiety or paranoia. There are four ways of consuming it, i.e. :-

• Through smoking,
• Vaporizing (heating it to 165-190 degrees Celsius causing main ingredient to evaporate),
• Cannabis tea and
• Edibles (added as main ingredient to variety of food).

In India & Nepal, Cannabis has been used as an entheogenic context (chemical substance used in a religious context) since 1500 BCE; while in Greek mythology there are references to a powerful drug believed to be Marijuana that eliminated anguish and sorrow. Rastafarians use it as a sacrament and in meditation, and have become the symbol of its consumption worldwide.

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Although considered an illegal substance in many places its popularity has been increasing each year making Marijuana become a cultural phenomenon worldwide as celebrities, politicians, activists, writers, actors, musicians embrace its consumption. From Rapper Snoop Dogg, Movie Director Oliver Stone, PlayBoy’s Magazine Hugh Hefner, Actor Robert Downey Jr, Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, Writer Maya Angelou and T.V Star Martha Stewart all have professed using it, influencing millions of their followers globally. Historical icons like Joan of Arc, Alexander Dumas, William Shakespeare, Christopher Columbus, George Washington, were known Cannabis users, with Elizabeth 1, queen of England decreeing landowners to grow it and fining those who didn’t allocate land (above 60 acres) for its cultivation, and kept her own stock for palace parties.

With such important icons both past and present advocating its consumption it’s easy to see why many are joining its bandwagon.

According to a 2015 Gallup poll, 43% of Americans have tried marijuana in their lifetime and a 2016 CBS poll revealed 60% of Americans supported legalization of Marijuana.

Due to its prevalence in nearly all places on earth, Cannabis has acquired various street names varying by region or demographic with Pot, Herb, Mary Jane, Grass, Reefer, Dope, Weed, Ganja, Bud, Chronic, and Skunk as the most commonly used. 4:20 (April 20^th) has been designated as the unofficial holiday celebrating its use and also the time to smoke it

In mid-2017, sales reached as high 750 million USD in Colorado, U.S.A earning it 115 million USD in tax revenue & licensing fees and in 2010, 3.6 billion USD was spent on cannabis law enforcement (prohibition costs). The cannabis market grew by 74% in 2014 making it the fastest growing industry in the U.S, and the health industry cashing 1.2 billion USD the same year with analyst estimating the U.S state & federal Governments saving 17.5 billion USD each year by legalizing marijuana. Imagine hypothetically if my country Kenya legalized & controlled consumption & sale of cannabis by putting proper structures in licensing & tax revenues, the amount of money it could realize in funding its perennial budget deficits.

cultivation, and kept her own stock for palace parties.

With such important icons both past and present advocating its consumption it’s easy to see why many are joining its bandwagon.

According to a 2015 Gallup poll, 43% of Americans have tried marijuana in their lifetime and a 2016 CBS poll revealed 60% of Americans supported legalization of Marijuana.

Due to its prevalence in nearly all places on earth, Cannabis has acquired various street names varying by region or demographic with Pot, Herb, Mary Jane, Grass, Reefer, Dope, Weed, Ganja, Bud, Chronic, and Skunk as the most commonly used. 4:20 (April 20^th) has been designated as the unofficial holiday celebrating its use and also the time to smoke it.

“Herb is the healing of a nation, alcohol is the destruction.”

Bob Marley

For over 6,000 years we’ve been using it, there’s never been a documented case of Cannabis overdose, to overdose you need to smoke approximately 800 joints (which is practically impossible) in one sitting, and its the carbon monoxide poisoning that will eventually kill you. Scientific Reports journal stated that researchers found Cannabis to be 114 times safer than alcohol and a 2014 survey conducted showing seven out of ten Americans seeing it harmful than marijuana. In 2012 there were 3.3 million alcohol related deaths according to World Health Organization against zero deaths on cannabis consumption.

respectively since it was legalized. n their lifetime and a 2016 CBS poll revealed 60% of Americans supported legalization of Marijuana.

Due to its prevalence in nearly all places on earth, Cannabis has acquired various street names varying by region or demographic with Pot, Herb, Mary Jane, Grass, Reefer, Dope, Weed, Ganja, Bud, Chronic, and Skunk as the most commonly used. 4:20 (April 20^th) has been designated as the unofficial holiday celebrating its use and also the time to smoke it.

Besides being an effective relief for chronic pain, it alleviates cramps, headaches and breast tenderness in women. Studies have confirmed that cannabis kill cancer cells from halting metastasis to triggering cell suicide, with others suggesting THC (active ingredient in cannabis) in preventing H.I.V progressing into A.I.D.S. It’s a good stress reliever, decreases anxiety and triggers relaxation, with studies proving adults who partake marijuana have smaller waist size, better regulated insulin levels, and good cholesterol level than none partakers.

It’s not addictive as people think; actually you’re likely to get addicted by coffee than marijuana, Matthew Lazenka, a researcher at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System argued caffeine is same as THC in classification for drug abuse and the common misconception that decriminalizing marijuana will increase crime level in society is unfounded as evidenced in Colorado, U.S.A where crime & murder fell by 15% & 50 % respectively since it was legalized.

n their lifetime and a 2016 CBS poll revealed 60% of Americans supported legalization of Marijuana.

Due to its prevalence in nearly all places on earth, Cannabis has acquired various street names varying by region or demographic with Pot, Herb, Mary Jane, Grass, Reefer, Dope, Weed, Ganja, Bud, Chronic, and Skunk as the most commonly used. 4:20 (April 20^th) has been designated as the unofficial holiday celebrating its use and also the time to smoke it.

Just as a DEA Administrative Law judge demystified it in 1988 by stating, “In strict medical terms marijuana is far safer than many foods we commonly consume. For example, eating 10 raw potatoes can result in a toxic response. By comparison, it is physically impossible to eat enough marijuana to induce death. Marijuana in its natural form is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man.