Introduction
Marijuana is also called weed, grass, herb, pot, bud, ganja, Maryjane, and a vast number of other slang terms. It is a greenish-Gray mixture of the dried flowers of Cannabis sativa. Some people smoke marijuana in hand-rolled cigarettes called joints; in pipes, water pipes (sometimes called bongs) or in blunts (marijuana rolled in cigar wraps). Marijuana is also be used to brew tea and, particularly when it is sold or consumed for medical purposes, is frequently mixed into foods such as brownies, cookies, or candies.
The main mind-altering chemical in marijuana, responsible for most of the marijuana, responsible for most of the intoxicating effects that people seek, is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The chemical which is found in resin produced by the leaves and buds primarily of the female cannabis plant. The plant is also containing more than 500 other chemicals, including more than 100 compounds that are chemically related to THC.
Problems of marijuana
The problem with marijuana is that it can affect judgement and coordination, which could lead to accidents and injuries. When it is used during the teenage years, when the brain is still developing, marijuana might affect IQ and mental function.
Short term Effects
When a person smokes marijuana, THC quickly passes from the lungs to bloodstream. The blood then carries the chemical to the brain and other organs of the body. THC acts on the specific brain cell receptors that ordinarily react to natural THC-like chemicals. It causes the problem like: altered senses, altered sense of time, changes in mood, impaired body movement, difficulty with thinking and problem-solving, impaired memory, hallucinations (when taken in high doses)
Long-Term Effects
Marijuana also affects brain development. In teenagers, the drug may impair thinking, memory, and learning functions. A study in New Zealand shows that smoking marijuana heavily in their teens and had an ongoing marijuana use disorder lost an average of 8 IQ points between ages 13 and 38. Those who used marijuana showed significant decline in general knowledge and in verbal ability.
Use of marijuana may have a wide range of effects, both physical and mental. Physical effects include: Breathing problems, Increased heart rate, Problems with child development during and after pregnancy, Intense nausea and vomiting. Long-term use has been linked to mental illness in some people, such as: temporary hallucinations, temporary paranoia. Marijuana use has also been linked to other mental health problems, such as depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety among teens.
Probable solution
Consuming of marijuana creates lots of health and mental problems so it needs to control. Although it has some benefit as well. It can be used as medical purposes. Medical marijuana uses the marijuana plant or chemical in it to treat diseases or conditions. Medical marijuana is used to treat a number of different conditions including: Alzheimer’s disease, Appetite loss, cancer, Eating disorders such as anorexia, Glaucoma, Nausea, Muscle spasms, Pain etc. But it is not yet proven to help many of these conditions, with a few exceptions. We can say that it has only limited benefit which are not even then proved properly but has a great negative impact on the body of a person. Strict laws should be made to control the use of marijuana. Criminal liability should be imposed on those who use marijuana. Use of marijuana is illegal in India and Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic substances Act is useful in control the use of such types of drugs. But other laws and rules should also be made to control such type of toxic substances. Make aware the people about the consequences of marijuana through advertisements and publishing on various websites and newspapers.
Position of India and others countries on marijuana
Position of others countries
The use of marijuana in various countries is illegal even they not allowed its use in medical purposes. The legality of marijuana is a controversial subject. Some people believe that marijuana has medical benefits that can help with variety of ailments, from controlling pain to helping control diseases like Parkinson’s. A common argument is that marijuana is a plant that is less dangerous than legal substances like alcohol or prescription medications. But still many believe that marijuana is a gateway drug that leads to abuse of other drugs, including heroin or cocaine and for this reason people believe that marijuana should be illegal. In many countries around the world, government leaders lean toward the negative aspects of marijuana. The nations that have made it illegal to cultivate or use marijuana are: Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Bahamas, Belarus, Bhutan, Burundi, Gabon, Guyana, Haiti, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Jordon, Libya, Latvia, Lithuania, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Niger, Namibia, Oman, Qatar, Philippines, Mongolia, Mauritius, Liberia, Panama, Iraq, Greenland, Hungry etc. But in some countries the use of marijuana is legal and these countries are: Uruguay, Canada, Peru, Spain. In USA currently it is legal in 46 states but majority allows use for medical purposes. Recreational use is allowed in Alaska, California, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, Washington DC.
Position of India
Use of marijuana is also illegal in India. The central law that deals with marijuana in India is the Narcotic drugs and psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. However different states have their own laws relating to consumption, sale, purchase, possession of marijuana. In general, in India, possession of these drugs is considered a criminal act and can get people in serious legal trouble. In India even possessing prohibited drugs in India is an offence under the NDPS Act. The punishment depends upon the quantity of drugs in possession. The various laws that deal with possession and consumption of drugs in India by children below the age of 18 years are as following: (1) The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act,1985 (2) The Juvenile Justice (care and protection) Act, 2000. (3) State drug laws.
Consequences of the problem if not solved
Lots of consequences arise if the problem is not solved such as:
- The impact of this on youth, youth who are using marijuana at the same level as an adult using marijuana are at twice the risk of developing an addiction.
- While it may be safe for some adults to be using this in a controlled way, for teens it really isn’t. Because the brain is developing, it is much more susceptible to addiction.
- The other major areas of concern with legalization of marijuana is going to be incidents of drugged driving. And particularly the co-occurrence of drugged driving with drunk driving.
- The combination of marijuana and alcohol really exacerbate someone’s ability to drive safely.
- Probably, the biggest area of concern is if it’s legalized then, tobacco companies and other big business is going to be getting involved in the promotion of this. And we’ve seen the effects of that on the health of many people.
Conclusion
The views about the use, cultivation, possession, sale or purchase of marijuana is different is different countries. Some are in favour of this but major countries are against the use of marijuana. Although, we not neglect its some medical use but it has large drawbacks also that’s why it should not be legal. The major impact of marijuana is on teenagers. The use of marijuana by them not create the physical problems but also create metal problems and if the youth of the countries are involved in such activities then how the country can grow because country future is depending upon the youth. So, for the betterment of the youth it should not be legalize.
Author: Rohit Singh,
Law Center-II, Faculty of law, University of law, 2nd Year, Student
