Marijuana Moment, also spelt marihuana, is the common name for both the cannabis plant and its processed pharmacological form. The psychoactive cannabinoid cannabis is extracted from the cannabis plant, which also goes by the name marijuana. Cannabis, a plant native to either Central or South Asia, has a long history of use as a recreational drug, entheogenic substance, and traditional medicine. At least 65 additional cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol (CBD), have been identified in addition to the major psychoactive component of cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Cannabis can be smoked, vaporised, added to food, or consumed in the form of an extract.
There is no universally accepted definition of “medical marijuana,” which generally refers to the use of cannabis for the treatment or alleviation of sickness or its symptoms but which can include other substances (such as cannabinoids generated from cannabis or synthetic cannabinoids).
Marijuana moment has been around for thousands of years, and it all started in Asia. The ‘War on Drugs’ was a watershed moment in the history of marijuana’s public image in the twentieth century. The current state of marijuana is the result of decades of legalisation, beginning with medical marijuana and progressing to widespread recreational use. Marijuana has several medical uses, including the relief of pain and the treatment of chronic conditions. Jobs, taxes, and economies all felt the effects of marijuana’s legalisation after it became legal. Disparities in enforcement and sentencing are also addressed as they have social and racial ramifications that are explored. As more governments around the world come around to legalising cannabis, business is flourishing. Canada’s nationwide legalisation is used to illustrate the global scope of the issue mentioned. Concerns about teen marijuana use, as well as potential solutions to these problems, are presented. The current climate of marijuana use around the world is discussed, along with the associated difficulties and debates.
1. The Roots of Marijuana Moment
It is believed that cannabis use first emerged in either central Asia or western China. For centuries, people have looked to cannabis for relief. In 2800 BC, it was included in the pharmacopoeia of Emperor Shen Nung, who is widely considered the “father of Chinese medicine.” The roots were dried and ground into a thick paste by traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, who then used it to alleviate postoperative pain and speed the healing of fractured bones.
2. The War on Drugs and Cannabis
The public has grown more sceptical of the existing policy and has proven to be receptive to a wider assessment of alternatives to jail as the “war on drugs” reaches the later half of its third decade after being etched into the American vernacular by President Ronald Reagan. The most prominent example of this is the movement in policy discourse towards decriminalisation or de-prioritization of law enforcement resources committed to pursuing marijuana possession offences in some communities. Despite the recent spotlight on marijuana policy, there is still a great deal of confusion about the existing approach, particularly with regard to how resources are being spent and what the ultimate gain will be.
3. The Dawn of Legalization
Voters in both Colorado and Washington state approved measures to legalise marijuana moment in 2012 by large margins. Nearly a quarter of the states have submitted numerous legislation to change local marijuana laws in the months after, including a historic 10 measures that would legalise marijuana entirely. There has been a record number of bills presented this year in the nation’s capital to end federal prohibition of marijuana.
4. Health Benefits of Marijuana
Consuming raw cannabis has also been shown to treat lupus, arthritis, and neurodegenerative diseases, increase appetite, reduce nausea, stop the spread of malignant prostate cancer cells, and prevent cell damage that can lead to serious illness and poor health, according to a review of scientific literature.Lowering blood pressure.
- Reducing inflammation.
- Preventing relapse in drug and alcohol addiction.
- Treating anxiety disorders.
- Treating gastrointestinal (GI) disorders.
- Preventing seizures.
- Fighting cancer.
5. Economic Impact
States that legalise marijuana for adults may see moderate economic gains, but they may also see an increase in social costs like substance use disorders, chronic homelessness, and arrests, according to a report by researchers at the Kansas City branch of the Federal Reserve Bank. The survey concluded that the state’s economy improved with a 3% increase in average income, a 6% increase in property prices, and a 2% increase in population after cannabis was legalised. However, in legal states, there was a 17% increase in substance use disorders, a 35% increase in chronic homelessness, and a 13% increase in arrests. The survey also claimed that the number of direct jobs in the marijuana business will increase from fewer than 125,000 in 2017 to more than 425,000 in 2022. However, the report’s estimate of the size of the economic benefits from legalisation could be used to approximate the amount of funding that could be set aside for social programmes to help offset the costs, even though the report does not provide a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of recreational marijuana legalisation.
7. The Cannabis Industry Boom
The cannabis sector is expanding despite difficulties in established areas like Colorado and California and the absence of banking and government change. According to BDSA’s five-year global cannabis industry estimate, cannabis sales are expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of over 13%, from $30 billion in 2021 to $55 billion in 2026. The United States will account for $73 billion of the global cannabis market by 2026, up from $25 billion in 2021 sales. The total value of legal cannabis sold in the United States will be $27 billion by the end of 2022, up 6% from 2021 sales. Consistent gains in emerging US markets are anticipated to fuel yearly growth in the single digits in total US legal sales in 2022, despite economic and regulatory headwinds.
9. Safety and Regulation
Legalisation of cannabis, which can have a significant effect on workplace safety, presents new issues for businesses. A recent NSC poll found that one-third of workers have witnessed cannabis use on the job. Also discovered in the survey:
- There was an increase in incidents or performance concerns at work for more than half of the businesses that stopped doing THC tests.
- The percentage of businesses with a formal cannabis policy is much below 50%.
10. Marijuana and Teenagers
Marijuana usage among teenagers is higher than it has been in 30 years, and now more common even among this demographic than tobacco use. Use for recreation is lawful in several states for anyone over the age of 21, but not for minors. THC levels in marijuana plants are two to three times higher than they used to be thanks to modern cultivation techniques, but CBD levels have remained stable at around 1%.
Marijuana use can take numerous forms. Because of this, keeping an eye out for signs of usage in your child may be more challenging. Among these are:
- The dried plant parts (flowers and buds) are smoked in a joint, pipe, or bong.
- Vaping, or inhaling vaporised marijuana in the form of a liquid or wax
- Edibles, which include baked goods and candies, are becoming increasingly popular as a way to consume marijuana.
- Consuming beverages infused with marijuana
- Applying topical oils and tinctures to the skin
13. The Future of Marijuana
Legalisation movements on both the national and international levels are focusing on marijuana since it is the most widely grown illicit substance. Despite federal prohibition, the legal marijuana sector in the United States is expected to be worth $13.6 billion this year and provide jobs for 340,000 people. In total, 35 states and DC have legalised medical marijuana, with another 16 allowing recreational usage. There will likely be a rise in the number of legalisations.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Legalisation of marijuana use is supported by a majority of Americans.
- The substance is authorised in 16 states for adults to consume recreationally, and is legal in another 35 states for medical purposes.
- As we learn more about medical marijuana’s benefits, public opinion and government policy are both shifting.
- The FDA is still considering new regulations for marketing and exporting, despite the fact that the chemical is still considered a prohibited substance by federal law.
Conclusion
The current “Marijuana Moment” in history has far-reaching social, economic, and medical implications. Understanding the nuanced and complex concerns surrounding this versatile plant requires keeping up with the current discussions that will shape our future. You can’t ignore the impact of the cannabis reform movement, whether you’re a fervent believer or a sceptic. Learn more, probe deeper, and join the ongoing discussion on marijuana’s present state of affairs.
Marijuana moment, a psychotropic substance derived from the cannabis plant, has been used by people all over the world for centuries. During the ‘War on Drugs’ in the 20th century, popular opinion about marijuana changed dramatically. Medical marijuana is currently effective in treating a wide range of conditions, including lupus, arthritis, neurological disorders, and even cellular damage. States that have legalised marijuana for adults have seen moderate economic gains, but an increase in social costs like substance use disorders, chronic homelessness, and arrests, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. The cannabis market is predicted to be worth $55 billion by 2026.
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