The Power Of Cannabinoids Compels You!!!

The demonization of cannabis in America started around the turn of the twentieth century because of the high THC strain called Marijuana. Hemp was cultivated by many and used in a variety of products during the first 150 years of this country, but by the early twentieth century, the psycho-active ingredient and deviant appeal of marijuana scared the hell out of the establishment, and cast Cannabis into the shadows of the country for decades. Currently, people from all walks of life are starting to cast the demons out of Marijuana. From politicians to soccer moms, many are starting to seriously talk about legalization. The real exorcists in this drama are researchers in the medical field. They are finding the power of cannabinoids found in marijuana too compelling to fear, but are still haunted by THC's demonic past. Marijuana got its name from a popular song sung by Mexican immigrant farm workers who cultivated hemp for its high THC qualities, and harvested the plant to smoke for personal use and during social occasions. These activities creeped out the white American establishment, and tales of Mexican men smoking weed and turning into red eyed sex monsters circulated in white communities, most notably in the publications of William Randolph Hearst. The popularity of the drug with black jazz musicians made marijuana even scarier, and by 1934, the U.S. Government criminalized Cannabis, and the Federal demonization of marijuana began. The repressive forties and fifties turned out iconic propaganda films warning people of the dangers associated with smoking pot. The most infamous was Reefer Madness. The film shows clean cut white youths who smoke joints and become possessed by THC demons that make them giggle uncontrollably. Marijuana's bad reputation and psychoactive effects mad it irresistible to Hippies of the sixties. Marijuana became the Baby Boomer drug of choice, and its leaf an iconic symbol of the peace and love generation. By the seventies, Pot tapped into the cultural mainstream, making parties serving "special" brownies the hippest trip among many circles. Many young adults found the criminalization of marijuana for personal use outdated, and the Nixon administration formed an advising board led by Gov. Raymond Shafer of Pennsylvania to advise the Feds on Marijuana decriminalization. On March 22, 1972 the commission presented its finding which concluded; "Neither the marihuana user nor the drug itself can be said to constitute a danger to public safety," ..."Therefore, the Commission recommends ... [the] possession of marijuana for personal use no longer be an offense, [and that the] casual distribution of small amounts of marihuana for no remuneration, or insignificant remuneration no longer be an offense." Transcripts of a May 26, 1971 conversation between president Nixon and Shafer , however, highlighted the administrations plan to keep pot illegal, Nixon explained to Shafer "You're enough of a pro to know that for you to come out with something that would run counter to what Congress feels ... and what we're planning to do would make your commission just look bad as hell'. The administration ignored the findings, and right wing republicans were on a crusade to abolish pot smoking in the country. During the 1980's, Ronald Reagan's "War on Drugs" spent billions trying to keep drugs of the streets of America. He employed the social propaganda and law enforcement tactics he used as governor of California and First Lady Nancy Reagan's infamous " just say no " campaign targeted young school children using the mass media to encourage them to just say no to the evils of drugs. The results were mixed, and ultimately did not stop the use of marajuana. Generation Xers took weed to the next level during the 90s by resurrecting it's long anecdotal medicinal qualities. In 1996, the state of California decriminalized the use of marijuana by patients for medical use and gave way ot our current medical marijuana debate. Evidence of marijuana used in medicine dates back to 3000 B.C. China, and researchers around the globe are currently investigating THCs ability to not only relieve symptoms, but modify disease itself.

The human body is hardwired to process the cannabinoids found in THC and in the Cannabis plant. Cannabinoid receptor CB1 is found in the body's central nervous system, and Cannabinoid receptor CB2 is located in the cells of the immune system. THC binds to the receptors and partially activates them. Research into the body's Endocannabinoid regulatory system may change the way we treat disease and offers hope for a cure to some. Apoptosis is the process of programmed death that occours in some multicellular organisms and THCs natural apoptosis ability and warm reception in the human body may have a big influence on the way we fight disease in the future. Because of the criminalization of Marijuana in the U.S. and the trade agreements it has with other countries, research of THC stays at pretrial stages, focuses on individual cannabinoid studies, and is conducted outside of the United States. Decriminalization of Marijuana will allow researchers to study the entire cannabis plant and conduct clinical trials. Pharmacutical companies have been eager to manufacture and market THC based products for the past fifty years. In 1964, THC was isolated into a pure isomer and named Dronabinol. Dronabinol is sold under the name Marinol and is a prescription drug used to treat a variety of symptoms related to cancer, Aids, and even Anorexia. Other analogs of dronabinol are Nabilone, sold commercially in Canada as Cesamet, and Sativex, a mouth spray used by Multiple Schlorosis patients, which is marketed in Europe and Canada. Scientists are also investigating cannabinoids ability to modify autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, and in the treatment of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (a.k.a. Lou Gehrig's disease). In 2009, the American Medical Association (AMA) resolved for the first time in the organization's history "that marijuana's status as a federal Schedule I controlled substance be reviewed with the goal of facilitating the conduct of clinical research and development of cannabinoid-based medicines." . A 2010 review by researchers in Germany reports that since 2005 there have been 37 controlled studies assessing the safety and efficacy of marijuana and its naturally occurring compounds in a total of 2,563 subjects. By contrast, most FDA-approved drugs go through far fewer trials involving far fewer subjects. The global research community is throwing scientific holy water on the U.S. criminalization of pot in hopes to repeal the dark shadow it has cast on medical marijuana research.

Legalizing Marijuana for medical and personal use is a still a scary idea for many Americans. The fear of youths having access to a mysterious mind altering drug is a valid concern for many adults on both sides of the debate. Still, the fact remains that people who want to smoke weed to get high are going to do it. Federally prohibiting marijuana has not curbed its use, but spawned a multibillion dollar illegal industry and some say has inhibited the U.S. scientific community. So say your prayers and strap on your crucifixes, the results of the exorcism of cannabis could be frightening to some, and a blessing to others.