The Great Debate - Legalization of Cannabis

The Great Marijuana Debate: An Argument For the Legalization of Marijuana From a Psychopharmacological Perspective

Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in Canada; it is the third most used psychotropic drug after alcohol and tobacco (Fischer, Rehm, & Hall, 2009; Health Canada, 2005). In 1999 Health Canada began the process of creating a controversial federally regulated medicinal cannabis program (Lucas, 2008). Today the debate over the issue of legalizing cannabis continues. In the medical research community there have been multiple studies demonstrating the current medical benefit of cannabis in addition to the great potential for the development of new drugs (Ashton, 2008; Frazetto, 2003). Politically, there is evidence that the criminalization of marijuana is ineffective in decreasing rates of use despite the exorbitant amount of government spending (Fischer, Rehm & Hall, 2009; Simons-Morton, Pickett, Boyce, ter Bogt, & Vollebergh, 2009; Wodak, 2008). In contrast, the negative impacts of marijuana use are primarily found to be the risk of addiction and potential to trigger psychosis (Arseneault, Cannon, Wilton & Murray, 2004; Issa, 2007; Looby & Earleywine, 2007; Raby, 2009; Stahl, 2008). However, with appropriate controls, such as those used with alcohol and tobacco, Canadians could greatly benefit from the legalization of marijuana.

According to Stahl (2008) the cannabis plant contains more than 60 active compounds, the most potent psychoactive component is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC act on the endogenous cannabinoid receptors, CB1 (primarily neuronal) and CB2 (primarily in immune cells) which are the natural targets of lipid-based endogenous cannabinoids (Ashton, 2008; Frazetto, 2003; Stahl, 2008). Most recreational cannabis preparations are smoked in order quickly deliver cannabinoids that interact with the brain’s own cannabinoid receptors to trigger the release of dopamine from the mesolimbic reward system (Stahl, 2008). Marijuana can have both a stimulant and sedative effect (Frazetto, 2003). In typical intoxicating doses the effect produced has been described as relaxation, a sense of well-being, a loss of temporal awareness, impairment of short term memory, and a feeling of achieving special insights (Stahl, 2008). High doses may induce panic, toxic delirium, and potentially psychosis and recurrence of schizophrenia in those who are genetically predisposed to the condition (Arseneault, et. al, 2004; Issa, 2007; Looby & Earleywine, 2007; Stahl, 2008). Another negative effect of long-term use is a condition termed “amotivational syndrome,” a syndrome that occurs predominantly in heavy chronic users, characterized by the emergence of decreased drive and ambition (Stahl, 2008). Marijuana is associated with other socially and occupationally impairing symptoms, including a shortened attention span, poor judgement, easy distractibility, impaired communication skills, introversion and diminished effectiveness in interpersonal situations (p. 986, Stahl, 2008).

However, cannabis has been found to have multiple medicinal applications such as an analgesic in treatment of patients suffering from chronic illness such as glaucoma, cancer or HIV (Ashton, 2008; Fischer et. al, 2009). The Canadian government granted access to medicinal marijuana, under certain conditions, to people with specific medical problems in 1999 (Lucas, 2008). Both the Canadian and American government recognize the benefits of marijuana in treating the symptoms of nausea and pain caused by severe chronic illnesses like cancer, AIDS/HIV, glaucoma, and epilepsy (Ashton, 2008). In contrast to public opinion, medical cannabis laws in the United States have not resulted in an increase in the overall use of the drug (Gorman & Huber, 2007). Despite Health Canada’s acknowledgement of the benefit of medical marijuana use this program remains limited and difficult to gain access to with little government funded research being conducted on additional applications (Lucas, 2008). Perhaps legalization would decrease the stigmas attached to marijuana, helping to change the public image of the drug as simply that of recreational use while helping to encourage further research and development of practical medicinal applications and greater access of the ill to its benefits.

In Canada there are some of the highest cannabis use rates among adults and adolescents despite it being illegal recreationally (Fischer, Rehm & Hall, 2009). The number of Canadians who have tried cannabis remains substantially higher that than of any other illicit substance (Health Canada, 2005). The marijuana industry in Canada is highly lucrative; it is suggested to be one of the most valuable agricultural products which may indicate that legalization, regulation and taxation, as with alcohol and tobacco, could result in much government revenue (Osborne & Fogel, 2008). However, because current drug policy is Canada largely exists as influenced by the United States, instead of gaining revenue federal fund are spent incarcerating individuals and enforcing drug laws (Buxton, Haden & Mathias, 2008; Wodak, 2008). In fact, criminalization of cannabis is not a deterrent to use (Buxton et. al, 2008; Simons-Morton, Pickett, Boyce, ter Bogt & Vollebergh, 2009). Legalization of marijuana could have the benefit of increasing government revenue through taxation, increase the ability regulation of the product by moving it out of the hands of producers and dealers in organized crime and divert money from enforcement and incarceration towards other areas like research and public health approaches to addiction/problem substance use.

The issue of legalization of marijuana remains controversial. While there are negative impacts of legalizing this psychotropic drug such as risk of addiction and potential to trigger/exacerbate mental health conditions there are far greater potential benefits such as in pharmacotherapy and government economic gain. Perhaps with education the public can learn to see past the stigma.

References

Arseneault, L., Cannon, M., Wilton, J., Murray, R.M. (2004). Causal association between cannabis and psychosis: examination of the evidence. British Jounral of Psychiatry 184, 110-117.

Ashton, J. (2008). Pro-drugs for indirect cannabinoids as therapeutic agents. Current Drug Delivery 5, 2430247.

Buxton, J.A., Haden, M. & Mathias, R.G. (2008). The control and regulation of currently illegal drugs. International Encyclopedia of Public Health, First Edition 2, 7-16.

Fischer, B., Rehm, J. & Hall, W. (2009). Cannabis use in Canada: The need for a ‘public health’ approach. Canadian Journal of Public Health 100(2) 101-103.

Gorman, D. & Huber, J.C. (2007). Do medical cannabis laws encourage cannabis use? International Journal of Drug Policy 18(3), 160-167.

Health Canada. (2005). Canadian addiction survey (CAS) survey. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse. Retrieved December 5^th, 2010 from http://www.ccsa.ca/2005%20CCSA%20Documents/ccsa-004028-2005.pdf

Issa, B.A. (2007). Cannabis use and psychiatric disorders. Neurosciences 12(3), 265-266.

Looby A. & Earleywine, M. (2007). Negative consequences associated with dependence in daily cannabis users. Substance Abuse Treatment 2(3). Retrieved December 7^th, 2010 from http://www.substanceabusepolicy.com/content/2/1/3

Lucas, P.G. (2008). Regulating compassion: an overview of Canada’s federal medical cannabis policy and practice. Harm Reduction Journal 5(5). Retrieved December 3^rd, 2010 from http://www.harmreductionjournal.com/content/5/1/5

Osborne, G.B. & Fogel, C. (2008). Understanding the motivations for recreational marijuana use among adult Canadians. Substance Use & Misuse 43, 539-572.

Raby, W.N. (2009). Comorbid cannabis misuse in psychotropic disorders: Treatment strategies. Primary Psychiatry 16(4), 29-34.

Simons-Morton, B., Pickett, W., Boyce, W., ter Bogt, T.F.M.& Vollebergh, W. (2009). Cross- national comparison of adolescent drinking and cannabis use in the United States, Canada and the Netherlands. International Journal of Drug Policy 21(1) 64-69.

Stahl S.M. (2008). Essential Psychopharmacology. 3rd edition. UK: Cambridge University Press.

Wodak, A. (2008). Going soft on evidence and due process: Canada adopts US style harm maximization. International Journal of Drug Policy 19(3), 226-228.