Case Study Discussion Questions: Marijuana ✓ Solved

Case Study Discussion Questions: Case Study Topic: Marijuana and The Br

Case Study Discussion Questions: Case Study Topic: Marijuana and the Brain

INTRODUCTION

In November 2012 voters in the states of Colorado and Washington approved ballot initiatives that legalized marijuana for recreational use. Since then more than 13 states have or are considering a similar initiative which continues the national debate. Both supporters and opponents of such initiatives make numerous claims about state-level marijuana legalization. Advocates think legalization reduces crime, raises tax revenue, lowers criminal justice expenditures, improves public health, bolsters traffic safety, and stimulates the economy. Critics argue that legalization spurs marijuana and other drug or alcohol use, increases crime, diminishes traffic safety, harms public health, and lowers teen educational achievement.

This case study will help you better understand marijuana’s physiological effects on the body so you can better understand the long- and short-term effects of marijuana use on the brain.

Source of above info: legalizations#full

Marijuana Information

Marijuana is the slang term for portions of the Cannabis plant. It is one of the oldest psychoactive substances used by humans. Marijuana, also called pot, weed, ganja, mary jane, and other nicknames, is made from the Cannabis plant, which has three species: Cannabis sativa; Cannabis indica; and Cannabis ruderalis. The flowering plant can grow to 16 feet (5 meters) high and likely originated in the Central Asian steppe, near the Altai or Tian Shian Mountains. First cultivated in China and India, according to "Cannabis and Cannabinoids: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Potential" (Routledge, 2002).

The leaves, stems, flower buds, and extracts from the marijuana plant can be eaten, brewed into tea, or put into a tincture. It can also be vaporized using an e-cigarette pen. A 2015 Yale University study surveyed 3,847 Connecticut high school students and found nearly one in five e-cigarette users vaporize cannabis or byproducts like hash oil using the device. Lead author Meghan E. Morean notes this is a novel and high-rate method of using marijuana among youth.

Scientists believe tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is responsible for the psychoactive effects of marijuana. THC binds to cannabinoid receptors throughout the body, especially in the brain regions responsible for pleasure, time perception, and pain. This binding triggers a cascade that stimulates dopamine production, the body's "feel good" chemical, part of the reward system. According to Mitch Earleywine, a psychology professor, subjective effects vary, with users experiencing euphoria, relaxation, stimulation, or sedation depending on the strain.

Because cannabinoid receptors are distributed throughout the brain and body, THC effects are wide-ranging: it can slow reaction time, disrupt memory, cause anxiety, and affect judgment. THC also impacts parts of the brain that produce feelings of pleasure, leading to the "high" sensation. Over time, THC can alter the endocannabinoid system's functioning, potentially leading to memory problems, addiction, and mental health issues. The content of THC in marijuana has increased over decades, from about 3.74% in the early 1990s to nearly 10% in 2013, enhancing its effects.

Effects of Marijuana Use

Medical marijuana has been used to soothe nausea, increase appetite, relieve pain, reduce anxiety, and control seizures. However, recreational use remains controversial since it primarily alters mental state without medical benefits. Currently, more than half of U.S. states have legalized marijuana medically, with some allowing recreational use. The increasing THC potency raises concerns about stronger effects.

Short-term impairments include impaired thinking and coordination. Long-term studies suggest teens who smoke marijuana tend to have lower IQs later and display structural brain differences; however, scientists debate causality, considering whether those traits predate drug use or result from it. A 2016 study from the University of Montreal indicated starting marijuana at age 14 is associated with poorer cognitive outcomes and higher dropout rates, while starting at age 17 does not show the same risks.

Marijuana use has been linked to mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, and physical health issues including bronchitis, stroke, and heart failure. The history of marijuana regulation in the U.S. reflects increasing restrictions from the 1920s onward, culminating in federal prohibition under the Controlled Substances Act as a Schedule I drug, despite ongoing state-level legalization efforts.

Mechanisms of Action and Public Policy

The mechanism of THC action involves binding to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, affecting mood, memory, and perception. Public debate continues over its decriminalization and medical benefits. The increase in THC potency enhances psychoactive effects, raising concerns about dependency and adverse health impacts. Policy shifts, including legalization and decriminalization, are motivated by economic, public health, and social considerations.

Discussion Questions

1. As a practicing health provider, what would you advise a patient who wanted to know more about using recreational marijuana to help them relax and/or de-stress? Would your response be different if they wanted to use marijuana for chronic IBS or back pain?

2. Based on the information you’ve learned in this case study, do you think marijuana is a gateway drug that introduces people to harder, more addictive drugs? Explain why or why not.

3. Consider the information you reviewed in Activity 3, did it change your opinion about the legalization of marijuana in Washington state? Explain why or why not.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction and Overview of Marijuana

Marijuana, derived from the Cannabis plant, has a long history of both medicinal and recreational use. Since legalizations in several U.S. states such as Colorado and Washington, the landscape of marijuana legislation has significantly evolved, sparking ongoing debates regarding its health impacts, societal effects, and policy implications. Central to these discussions are the compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive component, which influences brain function through its interaction with cannabinoid receptors. Understanding how THC affects the brain is crucial for assessing the potential benefits and risks associated with marijuana use.

Physiological Effects of THC on the Brain

THC exerts its effects by binding to cannabinoid receptors mainly located in brain regions associated with pleasure, memory, perception, and coordination. This binding stimulates dopamine production, creating the sensation of euphoria, relaxation, and altered perceptions—the "high" that users seek. However, the wide distribution of these receptors also explains the broad range of THC effects, including slowed reaction times, impaired memory, anxiety, and decreased judgment.

Further, chronic exposure to marijuana, especially in adolescents, has been linked to structural changes in the brain, lowered IQ, and deficits in cognitive performance. Some studies suggest these effects are more pronounced when marijuana use begins early in adolescence due to the still-developing brain. Although causal relationships remain debated, evidence consistently reports associations between early marijuana use and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Medical and Recreational Uses of Marijuana

Medical marijuana, legally used to alleviate nausea, stimulate appetite, and control seizures, has demonstrated therapeutic benefits. By contrast, recreational marijuana is used primarily for altering mental states, with effects such as euphoria and relaxation, but it also carries risks such as addiction and mental health issues. The increase in potency over recent decades amplifies these concerns. Despite widespread legalization, federal regulation still classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug, reflecting the high potential for abuse and the lack of accepted medical use at the federal level.

Health Risks and Long-term Impacts

Multiple studies have highlighted the short-term impairments caused by marijuana, including impaired cognition and coordination, which can threaten safety. Long-term effects, particularly among adolescent users, include decreased IQ, structural brain differences, and increased susceptibility to mental illnesses such as schizophrenia. Additionally, physical health issues like bronchitis, stroke, and cardiovascular problems are associated with regular marijuana use.

Policy, Legislation, and Societal Perspectives

Historically, marijuana prohibition grew from social and racial biases, leading to criminalization and stiff penalties. Recent policy shifts toward legalization and decriminalization aim to balance public health concerns with economic benefits from taxation and regulation. As more states adopt cannabis laws, understanding public health impacts becomes essential for policymakers and health professionals.

Responses to Discussion Questions

As a healthcare provider, I would advise a patient seeking recreational marijuana use for relaxation to consider the potential health risks, including impaired judgment, dependency, and mental health issues. Emphasizing moderation and awareness of side effects is essential. If they seek marijuana for chronic conditions such as IBS or back pain, I would recommend considering scientifically supported medical treatments first and advise consulting healthcare professionals to discuss potential therapeutic efficacy and risks.

Regarding whether marijuana is a gateway drug, evidence remains mixed. Some research demonstrates that early use correlates with subsequent use of harder substances, but causality is not definitively established. Factors such as social environment, genetic predispositions, and psychological states also influence substance progression.

In reviewing recent marijuana legalization studies, my opinion on recreational cannabis’s societal impacts has shifted toward a cautious acceptance, recognizing potential economic and medicinal benefits while emphasizing the importance of regulation to mitigate health risks.

References

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). (2020). Is marijuana safe and effective?.
• Mehmedic, Z., et al. (2010). Potency of THC in marijuana over time.
• Hall, W., & Weier, M. (2015). Assessing the scientific evidence on cannabis. The Lancet.
• Rogeberg, O. (2013). Cannabis and cognitive functioning. Frontiers in Psychiatry.
• Hall, W., & Degenhardt, L. (2009). Adverse health effects of non-medical cannabis use. The Lancet.
• Volkow, N. D., et al. (2014). The neurobiology of marijuana dependence. Frontiers in Psychiatry.
• Reuter, P., & Pardo, B. (2017). Marijuana legalization and regulation: implications for public health. Annual Review of Public Health.
• Chen, S. (2014). Long-term effects of adolescent marijuana use. Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry.
• Pacula, R. L., & Smart, R. (2017). Medical marijuana and cannabis legalization. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology.
• Gruber, S. A., et al. (2014). Marijuana effects on cognition and brain structure. Neuropsychopharmacology.