Don’t fight research on `The Cannabis Question’
The Front Page
Morning Update
Monday, April 18, 2022
By Ken Tingley
After writing critically last week of Rep. Elise Stefanik’s vote against decriminalizing marijuana use at the federal level, I was surprised at some of the pushback, especially on the recreational use of marijuana.
One reader suggested I watch a NOVA episode on PBS about the dangers of marijuana.
“The Cannabis Question” was released last fall and delved into the scientific research done on the pros and cons of marijuana use. I urge you to check-out the hour-long show as well.
It addressed how the drug affects the human body, under what conditions it can be helpful and when it can be harmful. It also found that much more research is needed.
Universities and research facilities are often reluctant to allow cannabis research “because doing so may put them at risk of losing federal funds.”
That’s what Rep. Stefanik was voting against.
NOVA found that used in the right amounts, marijuana could be tremendously helpful in reducing PTSD anxiety levels in veterans returning from overseas conflicts. But it also found that if it was used too often, it could lead to even greater anxiety levels. The problem was that there was not enough research to conclude what that right level was.
It found that those who experience epileptic seizures, or children who have experienced other types of seizures could benefit in some instances from THC, the main ingredient in marijuana.
Again, the problem was the lack of research to know when and in what amounts the drug could be helpful.
It also found that the use of marijuana by young adolescents could negatively affect the cognitive development of the brain, as well as memory. Previous research has found the same is true of alcohol use.
It also found that 1 in 10 regular users could become dependent on the drug.
It also concluded that worst result of marijuana use was the criminalization that has landed thousands of people in prison for nonviolent offenses. It found that each minute in this country, one person is arrested for possessing marijuana.
Among those commenting, there was a robust debate, especially as many of our local communities consider allowing the sale of recreational marijuana.
But some of the old biases remained regarding the demonization of the drug and some were not ready to decriminalize it on the federal level, even though that has been done at the state level.
One person wrote that dispensaries are often opened in poor and minority neighborhoods. I could not confirm that fact. The one dispensary I visited in Massachusetts was located in a suburban neighborhood and reminded me of shopping at an upscale wine shop.
After watching the NOVA special, I stand by my earlier conclusions and find it even more appalling that Rep. Stefanik’s vote derailed potential research that could help millions of people manage their pain or medical conditions. I’d urge her to watch the NOVA special.
Her job is to help people by making an informed decision.
I think she missed the vote this time.
If there is a chance that people who suffer chronic pain from arthritis or chemotherapy drugs can be helped, why wouldn’t we do that?
Reviews
It has been so nice to hear the regular feedback on “The Last American Editor” since it came out last summer.
Now that so many of you have read it, I would love to you post a short review on amazon.com or Goodreads.com. It doesn’t take more than a couple minutes.
If you use Amazon regularly, you just go to the bottom of the page where it says “write a review.”
Voting for story
In other business, I’d love to get your vote for my short story “Moving Day” to be published with other people’s stories. The story is about my cross country journey with my son during the heigh of Covid.
To vote, just click the link below and type in your email address.
Wonderful, wonderful article this a.m.. absolutely there should be much more research on it.
I agree with your take on the potential benefits and harms of cannabis. It is neither wholly benign, nor the cure-all that some promoters claim. I applaud the move to decriminalize but I know that research is needed to be able to use this drug responsibly, and to deal with the repercussions when it's misused.