Marijuana

1. Marijuana Eric Gruenbacher, Scott Adinolfi, Meagan Leach, Wade Schroeder, Chas Pressel, Hillary Fry

2. History of Marijuana Marijuana, also known as Cannabis, has been used as a medicine, a recreational drug and as religious or spiritual rites dating back to ancient times The drug is native to Central and South Asia. It’s use spread from China to India to North Africa and is said to have reached Europe as early as A.S. 500.( Narconon international )

3. Historical Medical use The drug was described in a Chinese medical reference traditionally considered to date from 2737 B.C. This reference was the first direct reference to a Marijuana (Cannabis) products acting as a psychoactive agent. “Shen Nung a Chinese Emperor describes this writing. He wrote about its powers as a medication for rheumatism, gout, malaria, and even absent-mindedness. He also took time to confront Marijuana’s intoxicating properties but mentioned that the medical value of the drug was considered more helpful then harmful to its overall value/ use

4. Historical Recreational use As the use for Marijuana (Cannabis) for medical reasons grew so did other uses through experimentation. This healing tool soon became a recreational drug. A study published in the South African Journal of Science proved that “pipes dug up from the garden of Shakespeare’s home in Stratford-upon-Avon contained traces of Marijuana.” This study was carried out by a chemical analysis after researchers hypothesized that the “noted weed” mentioned in Sonnet 76 and Sonnet 27 could have referenced and therefore used the drug recreationaly

5. Historical Religious use When it came to use of the drug as religious or spiritual rites there is references dating back the ancient Assyrians who discovered the drug through the Aryans. These two groups were known to burn Cannabis flowers’ to induce “a smoke of trance” during religious ceremonies. Many writers have claimed that the drug was used by ancient Hindus of India along with ancient Jews and early Christians due to similarities of words like “Ganjika” and “qannabbos” which also mean “Cannabis”.

6. Marijuana in the New World Marijuana spread throughout ancient times quickly and was wrote about and talked about for hundreds to years. The Spanish finally introduced it into the New World in 1545. England later introduced it to Jamestown in 1611 where it was grown as a source of fiber but soon caught on to be used for medical and recreational reasons. The high in demand drug eventually replaced cotton as a major cash crop by 1890. The emergence of Prohibition in the 1920’s gave Marijuana complete social acceptance because compared to alcohol it was not considered a social threat and it was not illegal

7. California on Legalization • First state to legalize medical marijuana • California Senate Bill 420 • Private sales prohibited • Currently 300,000 registered users • Growers making large revenues • Tax stimulation (sin tax) • Job stimulation (60,00-110,000) • Emerald Triangle

8. Proposition 19 & The Future • Proposition 19 pushed for full legalization • Failed but had support • Young voters afraid to go to polls • Californian budget crisis • Revenues made off of crop could supplement deficits • 11 million+ in shortfall

9. Current Economic Factors • Possession and cultivation of medical marijuana in California • California annual marijuana crop is estimated to be worth $14 billion (much greater than other sectors) • 45 plants that produce 5 pounds can be harvested in one night can raise up to $20,000 • Average team of trimmers cultivated get paid $225 a pound • 16 state have legalized medical marijuana use

10. Illegal Economy • Most frequently used illicit substance • All revenue is currently untaxed and unregulated • UN estimates 141 million people in the world use marijuana (2.5%) • Revenue of $50 billion to $100 billion each year

11. Exporting Possibilities • Last year 3.4% increase of imports, 0.9% increase in exports • 10 countries currently tolerate use of marijuana • Many more use it medically • Number 4 valued crop in the U.S. • Easy to ship, no refrigeration or special packaging

12. Private Business Advantages • Current drug owners are poor and do not have jobs • Current Drug dealers can start a private business • Boost their income within the family • Improves the families lives • Takes majority of drug dealers off of welfare • Private businesses boost our economy

13. Economic Spending on Border Patrol with Marijuana • Marijuana is the most common drug found in drug trafficking trying to cross the United States borders • The United States spends thousands of dollars trying to stop marijuana trafficking. • Could save money on limiting legal fees on marijuana trafficking

14. A New Huge Industry for Americans • The Midwest needs labor and jobs • Marijuana would grow perfectly in the Midwest • Would create a multi-million dollar industry • This industry would bring in more jobs through advertisements and shipping all across the country and world

15. Medical Benefits of Marijuana • Use of marijuana for medical purposes dates back 5,000 years • Today, most well known and popular use is for cancer patients • Has also been studied to treat: • Glaucoma • Alzheimer's • HIV/AIDS

16. Cancer • Reduces nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy • Increases appetite • Combats weight loss • Shown to slow tumor growth in lung cancer patients • May stop cell cycle that causes cancerous cells to develop Glaucoma • Disease caused by elevated fluid pressure in eyes • Leading cause of blindness in U.S. • THC in marijuana decreases pressure on optic nerve • Decreases severity of glaucoma and often restores eyesight

17. Alzheimer's • THC has been shown to stop amyloid plaque that causes memory loss • Amyloid plaque: main sign of Alzheimer's in the brain • Could treat both symptoms and progression of disease HIV/AIDS • Fights AIDS-associated anorexia or severe weight loss • Increase appetite • Relieves general pain • Helps constant nausea and vomiting associated with medication

18. Criminal Advantages • Large percentage of arrests are marijuana related (over 850,000 in 2010) • 88% for possession end up in jail • Resources are being used up • No just DEA, FBI, and border patrol • Could be used to concentrate on other issues (harder drugs, murder, rape, terrorism)

19. Criminal Advantages Cont. • Drug busts trap youth into a flawed system, leads to lifetime in jail • Drug dealers (often terrorists) lose business

20. Theft • 30% arrests due to theft • Legalization and regulation would lead to lower prices • Greater affordability leading to less need for theft • Free up jail space • Greater focus on other crim

21. Works Cited • http://dopemagazineonline.com/56/ • http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/18/us/18enforce.html?_r=1 • http://voices.yahoo.com/marijuana-simple-logical-benefits-legalization-62924.html • http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070417193338.htm • http://www. cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/marijuana • http://www.scripps.edu/news/press/2006/080906.html • http://norml.org/library/item/cannabis-and-driving-a-scientific-and-rational-review • http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7760249.stm • http://www.canorml.org/background/CA_legalization2.html • http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1889021,00.html • http://www.balancedpolitics.org/marijuana_legalization.htm