Cannabis+Use+-+The+Good,+Bad+and+the+Ugly+-+It's+more+bad+than+good


 * To decriminalise cannabis or not? The scales weigh heavily against. **

Sally Hawkins

N8597731

Tutor: Michelle Cornford


 * TOPIC: **

Epidemiological studies of the relationship between cannabis use and disease (short term and long term health effects) in humans are relevant when considering public health policy and the controversial calls for decriminalisation of such a drug.


 * ARTEFACT: **

Film and television often contain scenes of drug and alcohol use, portraying the use as either good, bad, or ugly. Evidence suggests that 40 percent of teenagers in the year 2000 found film and television programs portrayed the use of drugs as positive (Pozniak, 2012), highlighting that film and television normalise these kinds of unhealthy behaviours which can send mixed messages to viewers about the effects drugs can have on health and behaviour. The normalising of drugs, in particularly cannabis use, can lead to the increased use of drugs and calls for decriminalisation.






 * PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE: **

Illicit drug usage, in particularly cannabis use, is increasing worldwide, which poses significant effects on the social and economic costs to health care, criminal justice systems, and social welfare systems in both developed and developing countries (WHO, 2003).

This has led to a debate as to whether the legal sanctioning of marijuana use is the best approach to reduce the use and the associated harm of the drug (Damrongplasit, Hsiao & Zhao, 2012).


 * LITERATURE REVIEW: **

Cannabis use increased from 9.1% to 10.3% between 2007 and 2010. The largest proportion of people who had used cannabis in the previous 12 months had used it once or twice in the year (34.6%), while 20.9% said they used it once a week or more (Commonwealth of Australia, 2010). Most people who had used cannabis had received it from a friend or acquaintance (65.9%), and used it in a private home (86.7%). The number of people in Australia using cannabis increased from 1.6 million in 2007 to 1.9 million in 2010 (Commonwealth of Australia, 2010).

There have been worldwide claims for the decriminalisation of cannabis, in an effort to reduce the number of drug offenders in the criminal justice system, and to better provide users with support and treatment. Decriminalising low harm drugs, specifically marijuana, will result in the removal of criminal convictions for offenders involved in use and possession. It will, however, result in civil penalties such as a fine for offenders, and also education and treatment options (Zilney, 2009; Ritter, 2012). Between 1985 and 1993, South Australia partly decriminalised cannabis use. This partial decriminalisation saw an increase from 26% to 38% in the adjusted prevalence rate of ever having used cannabis, as well as an increase in the weekly use of the drug (McLaren & Mattick, 1996).

A 1998 report conducted by the South Australian Drug and Alcohol Council for the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy concluded that greatest potential for therapeutic use of cannabis lies in three areas. These include:

- An appetite-stimulant, used in conjunction with drugs containing anabolic properties, promoting lean body mass, good nutrition and exercise;

- The management of neuropathic pain; and

- A quicker relief of nausea, such as associated with some cancer chemotherapy treatments (Griffith & Swain, 1999).

Furthermore, cannabis has a number of positive health benefits which is one of the reasons leading towards the decriminalisation of the drug. Cannabis has several medical efficacy in the treatment of several diseases (Desai & Patel, 2013). There are several reports relating the use of cannabis in relieving the spasticity related with multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury (Desai & Patel, 2013). It has also been found that numerous cancer types (lung, breast, prostate, glioma, thyroid, leukemia, lymphoma, basil cell carcinoma, and melanomas) are killed by cannabinoids, the chemically-related carbon alkaloids found in cannabis (Help End Marijuana Prohibition Society, 2013). Furthermore, cannabinoids inhibit the biochemical pathways involved in metastasis and drug resistance (Help End Marijuana Prohibition Society, 2013).

There are however, many detrimental health issues relating to the use of marijuana. Such health issues include: lung cancer; immune system deterioration; harmful effects on blood circulation; and short-term memory loss (Desai & Patel, 2013). For heavy users, there is also the high risk of drug dependency and the related withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety and loss of appetite. Furthermore, approximately 9% of marijuana users will become dependent with the number of addicted users likely to rise with the drug becoming more readily available (Desai & Patel, 2013). The immediate stop of marijuana use has been associated with physical withdrawal syndrome, as well as other side effects, such as: greater marijuana dependency; increased traffic accidents due to drugged driving; short-term memory deficit; decreased concentration; and aggravation of existing schizophrenia symptoms (Desai & Patel, 2013; Dragt, Nieman, Schultze-Lutter, van deer Meer, Becker, de Haan, Dingemans, Birchwood, Patterson, Salokangas, Heinimaa, Heinz, Juckel, Graf von Reventlow, French, Stevens, Ruhrmann, Glosterkotter, Linszen, 2012).

Cannabis also plays a role in the development of a number of psychiatric syndromes and behavioural disorders. These include: a motivational syndrome; a dependence syndrome; cannabis induced psychoses; and the initiation and exacerbation of schizophrenia (WHO, 1997; Dragt et al., 2012).

It is because of these major health issues, in particularly the effects on cognitive functioning that are persuading most researchers and theorists to the belief that cannabis should not be decriminalised. Furthermore, there are many factors that can contribute to the uptake of drugs, such as the availability, genetics and upbringing, personality, social environment, and stress (Schwabe, Dickenson & Wolf, 2011). Therefore without the deterrent of a criminal conviction, drugs will be made more widely available and this may see an increase in cannabis use.


 * SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ANALYSIS **

Groups within societies are often gripped by moral panics, where the behaviour of some members of the society is thought to be problematic, or the actions they take is thought to pose a threat to society (Goode & Ben-Yehuda, 2009). Those members of society who do not display normality or “fit in” the accepted social structure are viewed as a social or moral deviant (Cohen, 1972). Consequently, because their deviance is associated with devalued social status, these members of society are stigmatised which can involve prejudiced attitudes, stereotypes, and discrimination, overall worsening their psychological well-being (Cohen, 1972). Thus, moral panics can produce a ray of effects toward social stability, social change, and legacy (Bright, Bishop, Kane, Marsh, & Barratt, 2013).

Drug use during the 1960s and 1970s saw a shift towards a social acceptance of drug use, and support for the decriminalisation of cannabis. However, the drug panic brought about in the 1980s led society from accepting the use of illegal drugs, and thus preventing social change and preserving social stability (Bright et al., 2013). This was the case as it was widely believed that the drug culture led to far-reaching anxiety, and would result in an entire generation of “crazed addicts” (Wood, 1997).

However, in today’s society, drug users are often seen as morally flawed or lacking in willpower, which has contributed to society’s responses to drug abuse; treating it as a moral failing rather than a health problem.

The socially constructed “drug problem” and the presence of a moral panic has led to societal support for drug prohibition (Bright et al., 2013). Drug decriminalisation has failed to gain support within society due its libertarian views as the approach severely attacked the dominant prohibitionist approach (Bright et al., 2013).

The controversial issue of decriminalisation of cannabis is a very important issue. It is important to understand the positive and negative health effects that marijuana has on its users, as well as the myriad of other effects it can have as a result, such as increases in crime, which can lead to a drain on the criminal justice system.

The strategy for the management of drugs and the controversy surrounding decriminalisation involves a multifaceted approach including health and health systems, law enforcements, the criminal justice system, and education. Drug users need to be educated about the risks associated with drug use and drug addiction, and also be afforded the opportunity to access a health system which is sympathetic for all members of society.


 * ANALYSIS OF ARTEFACT: **

Film and television in the 21st Century, specifically The Pineapple Express and the television series Breaking Bad, highlight the diverse views and effects of drugs generally, and portray their use as either good, bad, or ugly.

The 2008 film, The Pineapple Express, glamorises the use of cannabis by highlighting the positive effects of the “high” generated as a means of having more fun. This depiction of cannabis leads viewers to accept the use of cannabis, as it does not portray any negative consequences; rather it creates the image that the use of cannabis will result in a positive experience. This positive portrayal of the drug can lead to an increase use, especially if cannabis were to be decriminalised, leading to an increase in negative health effects of the population.

The television series Breaking Bad however, portrays both the “good” and the “bad” of drug use, specifically methamphetamines, as well as the use of cannabis. The show, which has won countless television awards, actively depicts a teacher-ex student team producing drugs and selling them, making huge amounts of money, while demonstrating the whole process to be quite simple. While the television show recently won an Emmy award for best drama series and countless other awards, a number of articles and reviews have been put forward suggesting that the show glorifies the use of drugs. An article looking at whether Breaking Bad does in fact interest its viewers into using methamphetamine and other drugs such as cannabis states that “while the show may not glorify the use of drugs in the sense of making it attractive to the average viewer, it does normalize the idea of drugs for a broad segment of society that might otherwise have no knowledge of that dark and dangerous world” (Klausner, 2013). The series also actively depicts the aggressive criminal underworld, as well as the dependency and rapid decline in health status of drug abusers, which contributes to my view that cannabis should not be decriminalised.

What I have learnt from this assessment piece is the many health impacts cannabis has on its users, and I sincerely believe that because of the vast array of negative impacts, that every measure should be taken to control the use of cannabis in our society, and thus cannabis should not be decriminalised.


 * REFERENCES: **

Bright, S.J., Bishop, B., Kane, R., Marsh A., & Barratt, M.J. (2013). Chronic hysteria: exploring the intersection between Australian synthetic cannabis legislation, the media, and drug related harm. //The International Journal on Drug Policy, 24//(3), p.231-237. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2012.12.002

Cohen, S. (1972). //Folk Devils and Moral Panics: The Creation of the Mods and Rockers//. London : MacGibbon & Kee

Commonwealth of Australia. (2010). 2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey Report. Retrieved September 27, 2013, from http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=10737421314

Desai, U., & Patel, P. (2013). Medical marijuana: a public health perspective. //International Journal of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 2//(2), pp. 1-8. doi: 10.5455/2319-2003.ijbcp20130305

Dragt, S., Nieman, D.H., Schultze-Lutter, F., van deer Meer, F., Becker, H., de Haan, L., Dingemans, P.M., Birchwood, M., Patterson, P., Salokangas, R.K., Heinimaa, M., Heinz, A., Juckel, G., Graf von Reventlow, H., French, P., Stevens, H., Ruhrmann, S., Klosterkotter, J., & Linszen, D.H. (2012). Cannabis use and age at onset of symptoms in subjects at clinical high risk for psychosis. //Acta Psychiatric Scandinavica, 125// (10), pp.45-53. doi: 10.1111/j.1600 0447.2011.01763.x

Griffith, G., & Swain, M. The Medical Use of cannabis: Recent developments. Retrieved October 22, 2013, from http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/publications.nsf/0/26090 d7fddce04fc 256ecf000844fb/$FILE/brief111999.pdf

Help End Marijuana Prohibition Society. (2013). Cannabis: Carcinomas. Retrieved October 22, 2013, from http://australianhempparty.com/general/cannabis/medicine/carcinomas

Klausner, A. (2013, September 22). “Breaking Bad” good or bad? The popular TVshowfaces criticism for ‘glorifying meth.’ //Mail Online.// Retrieved October 9, 2013, from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article2428615/Breaking-Bad-goodbad-The-popular-tv-faces-criticismglorifying-meth.html McLaren, J., & Mattick, R.P. (2006). Cannabis in Australia: Use, supply, harms and responses. Retrieved October 9, 2013, from http://www.health.gov.au/internet/drugstrategy/publishing.nsf/Content/4FDE76ABD582C84ECA257314000BB6EB/$File/mono-57.pdf

Pozniak, A. (2012). Media Portrayal of Drugs. Retrieved October 31, 2013, from http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=116947

Ritter, A. (2012). Decriminalisation or legalisation: injecting evidence in the drug law reform debate. Retrieved September 12, 2013, from http://theconversation.com/decriminalisation-or-legalisation-injecting evidence-in-the drug-law-reform-debate-6321

Schwabe, L., Dickenson, A. & Wolf, O.T. (2011). Stress, habits, and drug addiction: a psychoneuroendocrinological perspective. //Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 19// (1), pp. 53-63. doi: 10.1037/a0022212

Wood, M. (1997). Moral Panics. Received September 15, 2013, from http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Students/mtw9403.html

World Health Organisation. (1997). Cannabis: a health perspective and research agenda. Retrieved October 22, 2013, from http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/1997/WHO_msa_PSA_97.4.pdf

World Health Organisation. (2003). Investing in Mental Health. Retrieved October 23, 2013, from http://www.who.int/mental_health/media/investing_mnh.pdf

Zilney, L.A. (2009). Decriminalisation of Drugs. In H.T. Green & S.L Gabbidon’s (Eds.), //Encyclopedia of Race and Crime// (p185-187). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications. http://knowledge.sagepub.com.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/view/raceandcrime n82.xml


 * REFLECTIONS: **

http://healthcultureandsociety2013.wikispaces.com/Cows+with+Guns

http://healthcultureandsociety2013.wikispaces.com/Blurred+lines+-+can%27t+we+just+comprehend+the+meaning+of+no%3F