Marijuana Is an Illegal Drug,

Marijuana is an illegal drug, in spite of the broad evidence that cannabis can be used for therapeutic purposes. Research into the biological effects of marijuana reveals that the drug may stimulate the brain much in the same way antidepressants do: indicating promising future avenues of research (Brumfiel). Moreover, medical reports indicate that marijuana can be used to protect against and even to treat heart disease (ScienceWeek). A Drug Policy Alliance report concludes that the dangers of smoking marijuana have been "grossly overstated," and that recent evidence shows hardly any significant dangers from using the drug. A slew of recent reports reveal the positive potential of marijuana and its core psychoactive chemical, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Granted, smoking anything requires the inhalation of carbon monoxide, which can itself cause some harm to the respiratory system. The American Council for Drug Education notes that chronic marijuana smokers may experience problems like emphysema or bronchitis. However, many marijuana users do not smoke chronically. If the drug is used regularly it can also be administered orally such as a decoction (tea) or in food.

When mice were injected with a synthetic version of THC as much as one hundred times more potent than pot, their brains actually grew (Brumfiel). Cells in the mice hippocampus proliferated: an effect also associated with use of pharmaceutical antidepressants. Therefore, marijuana may mimic antidepressant drugs. Marijuana may be neurobiologically healing. Many other recreational drugs like heroin and cocaine have the opposite effect on the brain, causing inhibited cell growth in the hippocampus. Because some studies have pointed to adverse psychological effects associated with marijuana use, more research is needed on the optimal dose, methods, and conditions of marijuana administration (American Council for Drug Education).

In addition to offering potentially therapeutic neurobiological effects, marijuana may also benefit the circulatory system. For example, THC might reverse atherosclerosis. A precursor to heart disease and stroke, atherosclerosis refers to the clogged arteries associated with poor diet and smoking cigarettes. Mice were exposed to a small amount of THC, and their blood vessel blockages were reduced by as much as 30% (Khamsi). The research is preliminary and involved pure THC as opposed to marijuana but nevertheless shows some areas for future research into the biological benefits of the drug's main psychoactive chemical.

Several similar studies show that marijuana and THC may benefit the heart and circulatory system. Marijuana may eventually be recommended o treat heart disease and ancillary problems (Roth, cited in ScienceWeek). Moreover, marijuana may benefit the immune system. Some studies show an immune system regulatory function, but THC might also cause immunosuppression because of its effect on the synthesis of cytokines (Roth, cited in ScienceWeek).