Marijuana has very harmful effects

Dec 03, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,
Please be kind enough to publish this brief letter regarding the health risks as well as medicinal use of marijuana. Cannabis sativa, the marijuana plant contains the chemical tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It is approved for use in manufacturing nabilole and dronabilol, two drugs administered to patients to relieve vomiting and nausea when taking chemotherapy. It is used to stimulate appetite, especially in patients with aids. It relieves severe pain and spasticity (pull of muscles or altered skeletal muscle performance) when the muscles become over tight and rigid. It treats glaucoma and reduces pressure in the eye. However it is critical to note that this drug must be administered by a physician when used for these or any other ailments.
The chemical THC in marijuana affects a person in several ways. The use of marijuana alters the senses. This manifests itself as seeing brighter colors, incorrect sense of time, changes in mood, impaired body movement, difficulty with thinking and problem-solving and impaired memory. How is marijuana related to mental illness? It increases the risks of psychosis which is a disease in which people lose touch with reality. When this happens they experience delusions, hallucinations (visions) and paranoia (overly fearful about nothing). They even suffer from schizophrenia. The latter is a mental disorder characterized by abnormal social behavior and a failure to understand what is real. Common symptoms include false beliefs, unclear or confused thinking, hearing voices, and lack of motivation, reduced social engagement and reduced emotional expression.
How is marijuana related to lung disease? It is associated with a number of lung problems such as inflammation of the air ways, chronic bronchitis, increased risk of pneumonia and respiratory infections. It may also contribute to lung cancer. How is marijuana related to heart disease? People who use marijuana have changes in their blood vessels as well as increased heart beats which increase the risks of heart attack and stroke. The bloodstream of marijuana smokers is less able to carry oxygen. This in turn affects the heart.
How does marijuana affect fertility? It affects both men and women. In the case of women it disrupts their menstrual cycle. In the case of men it decreases the amount of seminal fluid. It causes the sperm to behave abnormally. It lowers the sperm count. Studies show that the repeated use of marijuana is associated with significantly lower concentrations of the reproductive hormones in both male and female (testosterone in men and dehydroepiandrosterone in women). The active ingredient THC makes its way into the reproductive tract of women and reduces sperm mobility thus decreasing the chances of fertilization.
From the above it is clear that apart from the medical use of marijuana this drug should not be consumed. Research has shown that 50% of persons who consume marijuana on a daily basis grow into addicts. It is a mind-controlling drug and its effects are seen 30-60 minutes after consumption. It is also known to be a gateway drug which means that it leads consumers to harder drugs.
Sewnauth Punalall ThD

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