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
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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.
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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