Proposition 19 on the Nov. 2 state ballot would make it legal for adults to possess and grow marijuana in California. It also would permit cities and counties to tax marijuana and allow its sale. The Initiative is loosely written, leaving major gaps in how such a significant policy shift would be implemented and enforced.
Because Proposition 19 fails to address important, basic questions, its considered to be an incomplete proposal that voters should reject. But we don’t mean to say it’s a crackpot idea. There could be actual benefits from taxing and regulating the sale of cannabis.
Supporters of Proposition 19 may want to try again later with a fully developed plan. In the meantime, voters should nix Proposition 19. Backers of the measure say it would generate billions of dollars in tax revenue for state and local governments, but that prediction is questionable for at least a couple of reasons.
First, Proposition 19 fails to address its conflict with federal law, which will continue to treat marijuana as illegal. Federal authorities could challenge the ability of local and state governments to receive revenue from an activity that’s illegal under federal law.
There is no address to the federal law and the only way to change the federal law is to challenge it. The federal government has proven that they don’t care that mariiuana has medical applications and they don’t care that marijuana is less addictive and safer than coffee,they have too many federal employees and bureaucrats that depend on marijuana prohibition for them to initiate change,so it is up to the people to change the law. California is the start of a nation of people tired of our government spending billions of dollars and underwriting the existence of violent criminals by leaving the market in their control
Second, though it might dampen illegal sales of marijuana, it wouldn’t end the black market altogether. It would remain illegal for those under the age of 21 to buy or use marijuana, and those 21 and older might buy it illegally to avoid taxes or because legal sales would be limited to one ounce at a time. If approved by a majority of voters, Proposition 19 would legalize the possession and private consumption of less than an ounce of marijuana, and would make it legal to grow marijuana in an area of up to 25 square feet at an individual’s residence.
The only way to stop the black market is to take the profit out of the market,as more states join in ending the prohibition,the black market will lose it’s profits and the longer our country delays,the more violence and federal spending will continue.
The ballot measure would result in a patchwork of city-by-city, county-by-county regulations on sales, transportation, cultivation and consumption — with different tax rates and rules, making enforcement a nightmare. It also sets up costly legal battles and public-safety concerns.
So it would appear that we are going in the right direction by getting the Prop 19 to this stage however it also looks like there is some fine tuning left to do
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What is Medicinal Cannabis
The theureputic use of marijuana has a history spanning over 5000 years and recently it has been found to have anti-oxidative and neuro-protectional properties.
Marijuana contains over 300 compounds. 60 of these are cannabinoids, which are the basis for medical and scientific use of cannabis.
THC, short for tetrahydrocannabinol, is a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. When used, either through ingestion or inhalation, THC binds to specific receptors in the brain called cannabinoid receptors.
The cannabinoids found in cannabis have three major properties which are medically useful. These are
- an analgesic (relieves pain)
- an anti-emetic (relieves nausea and vomiting)
- an appetite stimulant (induces hunger)
Three important cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant are
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- Cannabidiol (CBD)
- β-caryophyllene
- Cannabigerol
Cannabidiol (CBD)
CBD is a major constituent of medical cannabis. It represents upto 40% of the extracts of a medical cannabis plant and is a non-psychoactive ingredient. Cannabidol relieves convulsion, inflammation, anxiety, nausea, and inhibits cancer cell growth. Canabis Strains with a high CBD have been used to help people with MS, Frequent Anxiety Attacks and Tourette Syndrome.
β-caryophyllene
This compound is the mechanism of the cannabis plant that reduces tissue inflammation. A Cannabiniod receptor called CB2 plays a vital role in reducing inflammation in humans and animals. β-caryophyllene selectively activates the CB2 receptor and is especially concentrated in cannabis essential oil, which contains 12-35% β-caryophyllene
Cannabigerol
This is another cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. Like cannabidiol, cannabiogerol is not psychoactive but has been shown to lower blood pressure in rats.
Cannabis Sativa Plants
The cannabis sativa medicating effect is often characterized as uplifting and energetic. The effects of a sativa are mostly cerebral. They give a feeling of optimism and well being, as well as providing a good measure of pain relief for certain symptoms like those suffered by MS Sufferers.
Cannabis Indica Plants
The cannabis indica medicating effect ismost often described as a pleasant body tingle. Indicas are said to be good for relaxation and stress relief, and for overall sense of calm and serenity. Indicas are also effective for overall body pain relief and often used in treatment of insomnia. They have been said to help many patients as an all night sleep aid. Some pure indica strains are very potent in THC and give a couch lock effect and is favoured by some medicinal users who can’t slepp because of pain and cannot be treated by anything else.
WARNING!
Cannabis should not necessarily be viewed as a ‘harmless’ substance. Its active constituents may produce a variety of physiological and euphoric effects. As a result, there may be some populations that are susceptible to increased risks from the use of cannabis, such as adolescents, pregnant or nursing mothers, and people who have a family history of mental health problems. Patients with Hepatitus C, decreased lung function (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), or who have a history of heart disease or stroke may also be at a greater risk of experiencing adverse side effects from marijuana. As with any medication, patients should consult thoroughly with their physician before deciding whether the medicinal use of cannabis is safe and appropriate.
Marijuana may be illegal in many places but the fact is that like most herbs, it offers a lot of beneficial healing properties. Marijuana is not just a recreational drug, it’s also a herbal powerhouse which can alleviate many symptoms such as nausea and lack of appetite. This way it can improve the quality of life for many people suffering from serious medical conditions.
The Medical Uses of Marijuana
Marijuana is an emotive topic. Some people consider it a harmless pleasure; others associate the word with pot heads and dope fiends. Or perhaps, like Bill Clinton, they experimented with it in their youth but now respect its illegal status. But controversy aside, the fact is that marijuana is a herb and like most such plants offers many medicinal benefits. Here’s a look at the properties of this drug and the many medical uses of marijuana.
Firstly, let’s look at what marijuana is, exactly.
Marijuana refers to the flowers, leaves and stalks of the cannabis plant. Other names include ganja or hemp. When compiled into a resin, it’s known as hashish or hash. Marijuana is mainly known as a psychoactive, recreational drug.
The main active component of marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). When inhaled or ingested, THC attaches to certain parts of the brain known as cannabinoid receptors. The result is the euphoria experienced by users of the drug.
As a herb it also possesses a number of medicinal properties. In fact, marijuana contains over 300 compounds, 60 of which are cannabinoids which are responsible for the plant’s medicinal properties. The main properties of cannabinoids for therapeutic purposes are analgesic (pain relieving), anti-emetic (nausea and vomiting relieving), and as an appetite stimulant.
In fact, before marijuana was branded an illegal drug, it had a long tradition of medical use. It first appears in print in a 2nd century Chinese medical tome and was used in the United States in the 18th century to treat insomnia, labour pains and as an appetite booster. And today, marijuana is still used therapeutically today in the Middle East and parts of Asia.
In countries such as the United States, it has been used in the treatment of chronic pain in conditions such as multiple sclerosis and the emergence of HIV/AIDS led to an increase in its therapeutic use. HIV sufferers can control the progress of the disease with anti viral drugs but tend to experience an array of unpleasant symptoms which marijuana is well equipped to alleviate. These symptoms include nausea and reduced appetite both from the disease itself as well as side effects of powerful anti-virals. People with HIV could use marijuana to stimulate appetite and to reduce nausea which can halt the progress to AIDS wasting, a serious stage in which the body tissue wastes away.
Marijuana can also relieve pain caused by peripheral neuropathy which causes burning and numbness in the hands and feet. And it may be useful to manage the anxiety and depression that accompanies a serious medical condition such as HIV/AIDS.
But all this doesn’t mean that marijuana is a safe substance. For all its medical benefits, marijuana does have its downside. It’s dangerous for pregnant or nursing mothers and those suffering from hepatitis C or with histories of heart disease or stroke. Marijuana has also been though to precipitate psychotic symptoms in people with a family history of mental problems.
Anyone considering the use of marijuana for medical purposes has to consider both legal and medical factors. The fact remains that in most countries it remains a controlled substance with harsh penalties for possession and use with certain exceptions. For example, in the UK, it’s legal to buy greenhouse seeds as souvenirs. It’s legal to buy seeds but not to germinate them. These green house seeds can be bought online and delivered by post. And of course certain liberal countries such as the Netherlands and Denmark do allow possession and consumption in limited amounts in a controlled environment.
Cannabis for recreational use is illegal in most parts of the world. However its use as a medicine is now legal in certain territories including the UK Canada, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Israel, Italy, Finland, and Portugal, and parts of the United States. Such use is strictly controlled however. For example, in those American states where it’s legal, users need to get a Medical Marijuana Card.
Laws governing the possession and use of marijuana are in a state of flux and meanwhile medical research continues. One exciting recent research has shown that marijuana may be effective against tumours such as lung cancer. The fact is that marijuana can improve the quality of life for sick people and so the authorities need to maintain an equitable balance between controlling the recreational use of this drug while maintaining research and use for medicinal purposes.
