With national Weed Appreciation Day 2023 coming up on March 28th, we’re in the mood to tackle some of the most persistent myths and misconceptions about weed that have plagued the plant for decades. For starters, there’s the age-old question—is marijuana a gateway drug? You must wonder if there’s any truth to the claim that smoking weed leads to abusing addictive drugs such as opioids or stimulants. We delve into the science and see if there’s any merit to this oft-repeated assertion.
Additionally, we’ll look at another hotly debated topic: Is cannabis addictive? Some claim that long-term side effects of smoking weed can lead to addiction and even withdrawal symptoms, while others argue it’s no more addictive than caffeine.
And let’s not forget about the most-talked-about idea that smoking weed is just as dangerous as smoking cigarettes. Some folks debate how weed can make people aggressive and prone to violence, while others rely on cannabis for its calming and pain-relieving properties.
So let’s bust some myths and uncover truths this Weed Appreciation Day 2023.
Debunking the Myths Around Cannabis on Weed Appreciation Day 2023
Recent years have seen steady growth in the acceptance of cannabis use around the globe. Yet, the herb still holds fallacies, so it’s crucial more than ever to separate fact from fiction and unravel some of the most common myths surrounding cannabis.
Let’s talk about the famous rapper Snoop Dogg. Considered a legend in his field, Snoop Dogg is a highly successful rapper, actor, singer, and songwriter with an outstanding career record while also enjoying the many benefits of marijuana.
An icon in the cannabis world, he’s known to enjoy a good toke sesh frequently. But despite what some people may believe, he is not a “slacker” or a “burnout.”
In the coming sections, we dive into the misconceptions circling weed.
The idea that cannabis use inevitably leads to using narcotics is a common misconception that has been around for decades. However, when we look at the research, we find no solid evidence to support this.
A 2019 National Academy of Sciences report found “no conclusive evidence that the drug effects of marijuana are causally linked to the subsequent abuse of other illicit drugs.”
Most people who use marijuana never go on to use narcotics. So, how did this myth come to exist? Well, it likely happened because of a combination of factors, like
- Political bias
- Cultural bias
- Flawed research
However, buying into a baseless myth perpetuated for far too long is unnecessary. Like any other substance, it’s vital to use cannabis responsibly and in moderation.
So, is weed addictive? While many would have you believe this, let’s put this myth to rest once and for all.
When we look at the research on marijuana addiction, we find that it’s relatively rare to become addicted to cannabis. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, only about 9% of people who use weed will become addicted to it.
Even though it may be habit-forming, marijuana addiction is much less common than addiction to narcotics.
There’s also a big difference between using marijuana occasionally for recreational purposes and using it heavily and regularly to cope with underlying emotional or mental issues. Recreational use is generally not associated with addiction, while the latter can be more problematic.
Studies have consistently found that marijuana use does not increase aggression or violence.
In particular, a 2019 study takes advantage of the differences in state laws governing medical cannabis and recreational marijuana to explore their effects on violent crime rates. The findings indicate that the legalization of both medical and recreational cannabis doesn’t cause a spike in violent crime rates but, interestingly, may reduce them.
Using statistical analysis, authors Chu and Townsend noted while there were “no causal effects of medical weed laws on violent crime and property crime at the national level and no strong effects within individual states,” a notable exception existed “for California where the medical cannabis law reduced both violent and property crime by 20%”.
While marijuana and tobacco contain chemicals and toxins, research suggests that marijuana smoke may be less harmful. Unlike tobacco, cannabis has not been linked to lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or significant health risks associated with tobacco smoking.
To support this claim, a 2006 study presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference found that smoking cannabis didn’t appear to increase the risk of lung cancer, even in heavy users. Also, alternative ways to use marijuana that do not involve smoking, such as edibles and vaporizers, are less harmful to respiratory health.
Let’s look at the positive effects of weed: studies have shown that weed can effectively treat various medical conditions, including chronic pain, anxiety, seizures, and inflammation. Many individuals who suffer from these conditions have found relief through medical cannabis.
One of the reasons why marijuana is effective as a medical treatment is because of the presence of cannabinoids such as THC and CBD, which are compounds that interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system to produce therapeutic effects.
In addition to its direct medical benefits, weed has been shown to enhance the quality of life for many patients by improving mood, appetite, and sleep patterns.
From Myth to Reality: The Future of Weed
Cannabis has come a long way from its origins as a stigmatized and misunderstood plant. Back in the day, people blamed it for everything and made it sound like a terrible thing. But now on this Weed Appreciation Day 2023, we realize that it benefits recreational and medicinal use.
Educating ourselves and others about the truth can break down the old stereotypes and let this fantastic herb shine. And what better day to do it than Weed Appreciation Day 2023! It’s a day for all of us cannabis enthusiasts to unite and celebrate all the great things weed can do over some of Cali’s finest stash on Grassdoor.
