The Truth Behind Caffeine and Marijuana Every day across America, coffee shops and convenience stores sell millions of cups of caffeine, a legal and seemingly safe stimulant. Marijuana, on the other hand, only recently became legal in four of the fifty states within the country. Most people immediately assume that because these states belong to the minority, they should not have legalized this drug, and because all states consider caffeine legal, then caffeine must serve as an acceptable stimulant for people of all ages. Assumptions such as these have caused the legislature to hesitate about legalizing marijuana everywhere, but caffeine has more damaging overall effects than marijuana due to its popularity, addictive properties, and undiagnosed …show more content…
“Caffeine is the most commonly used mood-altering drug in the world,” according to a study done by the Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit at Johns Hopkins University. In the study, the group states, “It is estimated that in North America between 80 and 90 percent of adults and children habitually consume caffeine” (“Caffeine Dependence”). This study proves that this drug affects not a small group of users, but in fact, nearly the entire continent. Marijuana, on the other hand, remains significantly less popular. According to a government survey done in 2012, “18.9 million Americans 12 or older (7.3%) had used marijuana in the prior month” (Motel). While some may consider this a significant number, it seems miniscule compared to the staggering amount of people who use caffeine daily. The effects of caffeine spread across not only a larger portion, but also a wider age range than marijuana, exposing more children and adults alike to the dangerous consequences of the …show more content…
According to the Drug Policy Alliance, “A congressionally-mandated Institute of Medicine study found that fewer than 10 percent of those who try marijuana ever meet the clinical criteria for dependence,” (“10 Facts About Marijuana”) so for many users, the drug does not cause addiction or any further substance abuse problems. Scientists have, however, proven that caffeine hooks many more of its users. According to a study done at Johns Hopkins University, “In a population- based random digit dial telephone survey study, 40 to 70% of individuals who tried to quit caffeine use reported experiencing withdrawal symptoms” (“Caffeine Dependence”). Since many marijuana users do not ever meet the criteria for dependence, they do not experience the withdrawal symptoms that caffeine users often suffer when they stop using the stimulant. This means that caffeine can cause harm to more Americans than marijuana because of caffeine’s broader spectrum of
How amazing it is that Marijuana can make difference in a great area in our brain. In addition, the physical addiction, which means the physiological response after cut off the drugs supplies. It always appears in movies or TV shows, and it is also real in our life. However, the physical addiction of Marijuana is way lower than any other drugs. So that is one of the reasons why many people hold the idea that the government should not forbid Marijuana at
636). Thus, they argue that the legalization of marijuana, should be similar to those of alcohol and tobacco where there are regulations for the sale to minimize any health related problems it may cause (Joffe & Yancy, 2004, p. 636). Additionally, tobacco and alcohol are among the most abused substances used by adolescents; despite having regulations for their sales through enforcing legal ages for purchase, they still find ways to purchase and consume these substances. Moreover, the legalization of marijuana would assist in pain relief as a less toxic, addictive and essentially safer drug in comparison to what some individuals use for chronic pain such as opiates and alcohol. It has been reported that there has been 25% of a decrease in the deaths related to opiate overdose; essentially, marijuana could contribute to the harm reduction that other substances cause (Mitchell 2016, p. 63)
In the “Marijuana: A Continuing Concern for Pediatricians” article the author points out the fact that marijuana is in fact “an addictive, mind-altering drug capable of inducing dependency” (Marijuana: A Continuing Concern). After some research this statement has been clearly supported. According to the author of “Marijuana: Breaking Down the Buzz” being under the influence of the drug has led to very poor decisions. Some of the poor decisions teenagers make while being under the influence include; people not completing high school, having failing grades if they are still in school, and doing reckless things while behind the wheel of a vehicle.
This subject is still quite controversial despite the inevitable result of legalization; not everyone is for it, and this means that people still need to see the positive influences marijuana can have - not just the negative consequences. At the beginning of the article, Keller begins by stating an opinion of his own, "You don't have to be a prohibitionist to recognize that pot, especially in adolescents and very heavy users, can seriously mess with your brain." (Keller, 2013). This statement evokes a strong reaction from his readers as it is biased and not an actual
In the past decade, a number of movements to legalize the use of marijuana has been gaining momentum. According to the 2016 Gallup survey, a record high 60% of Americans say that marijuana should be legalized and this figure marks a 9% increase compared to 2014. Support for legalizing marijuana was 31% in 2000, 50% in 2016 before reaching 60% last year. This shows that despite government efforts to eliminate its use, marijuana is becoming more popular. It is clear that
Over many years, the legality of marijuana has been widely debated. Supporters of laws that seek to legalize marijuana argue that it is a drug that is safe and that criminal sanctions against personal use indicate harsh and unwarranted penalties. The proponents also point out that the mortality, economic cost and may more negative impacts associated with alcohol and tobacco are much more grave compared to those associated with marijuana. On the other hand, the opponents of liberalization of current legal status of marijuana counter that marijuana is not mild, especially considering the new psychopharmacologic information indicating that it shares many characteristics with any other illegal drugs.
One of the most well designed studies on marijuana and intelligence, released in 2012, found that persistent, heavy use of marijuana by adolescents reduces IQ by as much as eight points, when tested well into adulthood. Other studies have found that marijuana use is linked with dropping out of school, and subsequent unemployment, social welfare dependence, and a lower self-reported quality of life than non-marijuana abusing people. According to the U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health, youth with poor academic results were more than four times as likely to have used marijuana in the past year as youth with an average of higher grades. This is consistent with an exhaustive meta-analysis examining forty-eight different studies by Macleod and colleagues, published by Lancet, who found that marijuana use is consistently associated with reduced grades and a reduced chance of graduating from school. In addition, studies have linked employee marijuana use with “increased absences, tardiness, accidents, workers’ compensation claims, and job turnover.”
The use of marijuana is still a drug used widely. In Aseltine, Gore, and Gordon (2000), it is discussed that the use of marijuana depends on the social and personal aspects of the
Another reason that people are now understanding is that marijuana is not addicting. Like regular tobacco cigarettes, alcohol, prescription pills and even caffeine. (Jacques, 2014) How interesting is
This is significant because now one in five Americans live in a state where the recreational use of marijuana has been legalized (Robinson,
A Critical Analysis and Evaluation of Caffeine Use Disorder Caffeine is one of the most consumed substances in the world and it was estimated that 90% of the United States population consume caffeine regularly (Frary, Johnson, & Wang, 2005) and on average the typical caffeine user consumes approximately 200mg per day (Meredith, Juliano, Hughes & Griffiths, 2013). Caffeine has been documented to have the potential to cause a variety of negative consequences and shares many of the diagnostic criteria seen in substance use disorder (SUD). The major diagnostic criteria for caffeine use disorder (CUD) includes; persistent and unsuccessful desire to cut down on caffeine use (Jones & Lejuez, 2005; Juliano, Evatt, Richards & Griffiths,
People believe that if marijuana is legalized users will get addicted. Marijuana use disorder become what is known as addiction when “the person cannot stop using the drug even though it interferes with many aspects of his or her life” (“Is Marijuana Addictive”). Although addiction is a problem, out of all the people who use marijuana, only 9% become dependent on it (“Is Marijuana Addictive”). Also, opioids and painkillers are very addictive as well, and they can lead to an overdose resulting in death. The second concern is abuse.
Caffeine is a chemical found naturally in few plants all over the world. From these plants it is processed into its pure form and then put into other things such as soda, energy drinks, tea, and pills. Energy drinks and soda are some of the most widely marketed products in the world, even though they contain the highest concentration of caffeine outside of pure caffeine supplements. It is a stimulant that affects everyone in strange but semi predictable ways. Research has been done on this topic since the 1920’s and many different conclusions have been reached.
Marijuana, also known as Cannabis, is derived from the Cannabis plant and is used commonly for either recreational or medical purposes. Marijuana is composed of chemicals such as tetrahydrocannabinol (HTC, and over eighty cannabinoids. Marijuana is acknowledged for providing smokers with a “high” feeling. Since the twentieth century, this illicit drug has been banned across the world. However, over the past few years studies have been conducted on marijuana and the results show that it can actually be helpful in many different areas of society.
What is Marijuana? Is it an illicit drug or medicine of the future? Marijuana is the most controversial drug in the United States. There has been little to zero research done on the topic Marijuana. In a research by Emily Ansell “Despite increases in use of marijuana, very little research has examined the real world effects of recreational marijuana use on daily experiences”.