Tennessee Should Embrace Legalized Marijuana

[Norby]

study from Boston University School of Medicine concludes that “marijuana use does not correlate with negative health outcomes.”

In the 1970s, the Shafer Commission produced the most comprehensive review of cannabis ever performed by the United States federal government. It concluded that cannabis does not cause violent crime, addiction, psychosis or any significant negative impact to society or individuals.

Kumar adds that the American Academy of Pediatrics “opposes legalization of marijuana because of potential harms to children and adolescents.”  But he failed to mention in the same policy statement the AAP "strongly supports the decriminalization of marijuana use for both minors and young adults and encourages pediatricians to advocate for laws that prevent harsh criminal penalties for possession or use of marijuana, encouraging treatment instead for those with "marijuana use problems."

THE TENNESSEAN

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In addition a study published by Lancet Psychiatry showed no increase in teen use in states that had legalized medical cannabis.

When it comes to FDA approved pharmaceuticals containing synthetics or components of cannabis, research has found them falling short, most likely due to something called the "entourage effect," which was discovered by Dr. Ethan Russo in 2011.

It involves the synergistic contributions of other compounds in cannabis.  It may explain why many studies find whole plant cannabis superior to its extracted parts.

For example with Marinol, which contains synthetic THC, scientists have found the psychoactive effects are increased significantly. It turns out the cannabidols within whole plant cannabis play a role in reducing its psychoactive effects.

Given the confirmed safety of cannabis relative to traditional pharmaceuticals and its ability to remedy or alleviate a variety of conditions, lawmakers should seriously consider providing a legal, regulated framework for safe access to whole plant cannabis for patients in Tennessee.

[AmishRnot4ganja]

I don't understand why the Anti-Pot League can be confronted by all these facts and still maintain their beliefs. Do they just not believe that these facts are true or are they part of the Republican Conservative Religious Right Coalition that just "knows" that pot is bad and no amount of evidence will ever convince them that it isn't?

[Norby]

I don't understand why the Anti-Pot League can be confronted by all these facts and still maintain their beliefs. Do they just not believe that these facts are true or are they part of the Republican Conservative Religious Right Coalition that just "knows" that pot is bad and no amount of evidence will ever convince them that it isn't?

Maybe it hasn't been presented to them en masse?  By their voters?

Edited December 3, 2015 by Norby

[Wild Bill]

I don't understand why the Anti-Pot League can be confronted by all these facts and still maintain their beliefs. Do they just not believe that these facts are true or are they part of the Republican Conservative Religious Right Coalition that just "knows" that pot is bad and no amount of evidence will ever convince them that it isn't?

 

"Faith Based" politics. Their pastors have told them that God has a narrowly defined set of rules, written by politicians, that everyone must follow. Facts are irrelevant. You can't argue with God.