Cannabis
Number of deaths per year: 0
Date legalized: 2012 in Colorado, 2014 in Washington, and many other states since then.
Reason for legalization: Medical and recreational use.
Potential benefits: Pain relief, appetite stimulation, nausea relief, and symptom relief for multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, and other conditions.
Potential risks: Short-term risks include anxiety, paranoia, and impaired coordination. Long-term risks are not well-understood, but may include cognitive impairment and addiction.
Alcohol
Number of deaths per year: 88,000 in the United States (2018)
Date legalized: 13th century in England
Reason for legalization: Social and economic reasons.
Potential benefits: Some evidence for heart health benefits.
Potential risks: Short-term risks include intoxication, impaired judgment, and increased risk of accidents and violence. Long-term risks include liver damage, heart disease, cancer, and cognitive decline.
Cigarettes
Number of deaths per year: 480,000 in the United States (2018)
Date legalized: 1883 in the United States
Reason for legalization: Economic reasons.
Potential benefits: None.
Potential risks: Short-term risks include addiction, impaired judgment, and increased risk of accidents and violence. Long-term risks include lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and a variety of other health problems.
As you can see, cannabis is significantly less harmful than alcohol and cigarettes. It is not clear why cannabis is not legal in all countries, but it is likely due to a combination of factors, including historical prejudice, political pressure from the alcohol and tobacco industries
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), there have been over 20,000 studies on cannabis published in the scientific literature. These studies have investigated a wide range of topics, including the effects of cannabis on the brain, the body, and behavior.
Some of the earliest studies on cannabis were conducted in the 19th century. These studies focused on the medicinal properties of cannabis, and they found that it could be effective for treating a variety of conditions, including pain, nausea, and seizures.
In the 20th century, research on cannabis shifted to a focus on its potential negative effects. These studies found that cannabis could impair cognitive function, increase the risk of psychosis, and lead to addiction.
However, in recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the potential medical benefits of cannabis. This is due in part to the legalization of cannabis for medical and recreational use in many countries. As a result, there have been a number of new studies on the potential benefits of cannabis for treating chronic pain, cancer, and other conditions.
Here are some examples of studies that have been conducted on cannabis:
In 2012, a study published in the journal Nature found that cannabis could be effective for treating chronic pain.
In 2014, a study published in the journal Cancer found that cannabis could slow the growth of cancer cells.
In 2016, a study published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology found that cannabis could improve cognitive function in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
These are just a few examples of the many studies that have been conducted on cannabis. As research on cannabis continues, we are learning more about its potential benefits and risks.
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