Showing posts with label marijuana use. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marijuana use. Show all posts

Dec 7, 2011

Smoking Weed – Does Science Support Decriminalized Marijuana?

Few things are as controversial as the legalization of medical marijuana. Advocates claim it is safe and effective for treating a variety of health issues that may not respond well to conventional drugs. Opponents of decriminalized marijuana envision hordes of doped up druggies on the streets posing a danger to society and to themselves. Aside from individual opinions, what does the science say about medical marijuana? The Dangers of Marijuana There are quite a few studies warning of the dangers related to smoking marijuana. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), marijuana use can lead to anxiety, fear and panic. Because THC, the main active ingredient in marijuana, binds to receptors in the areas of the brain that regulate balance, coordination and reaction time.