LEGALIZATION LEGALIZATIONOF OFCANNABIS CANNABIS By Conrad Cheng | Illustration by Michelle Qiu | Layout by Adelaide Ng “Cannabis” is a psychoactive drug (a
In an “Ask Me Anything” session on Reddit in 2012, California rapper Dogg claimed substance thatSnoop affects one’s mentalthat he smokes 81 blunts (hollow cigars filled with cannabis) a day. At that time, while it was legal to possess processes) from the Cannabis Sativa plant. It 摘要：無可否認，毒品對於年輕⼈潛 cannabis for medical purposes in California, recreational cannabis was yet to be legalized. Though Snoop contains two main compounds, THC Dogg most likely had a prescription from a doctor, it is unlikely that any medical professional would 在許多健康風險。但是，近年來，美 (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD recommend smoking once every twelve minutes, nor is it physically possible to smoke such a large (Cannabidiol), with THC being the main 國數個州份將娛樂性⼤麻合法化，到 amount on a regular basis. If anything, this statement is a testament to the detrimental effects cannabis psychoactive compound that makes us feel has on our cognitive ability. However, following California’s legalization of recreational cannabis in 2016, 底這個具有爭議性的舉動背後有什麼 “high”. While cannabis may help reduce Snoop Dogg has been able to legally purchase cannabis from a registered dispensary an ounce at a time.
anxiety, pain and increase appetite, evidence 原因，⼜會對社會法律平等和經濟帶 suggests it does come negative14 Since 2016, 11 more states have legalized recreational cannabis, takingthat the tally to 16 out ofwith 50. Another 來什麼影響呢？ health effects, particularly on brain health. In states have decriminalized recreational cannabis, meaning that criminal sanctions are no longer applied short use impacts to the possession of cannabis under a certain threshold. Tothe most Xiaorun, Huachronic readerscannabis who call Hong Kong attention, ability to learn. home, legalizing this illicit drug may feel like an abyss ofour thememory, mind, causing someand of the motives and These short-term effects may also carry on potential benefits behind this policy to be overlooked.
In an “Ask Me Anything” session on Reddit in into the long term, especially among teenage 2012, California rapper Snoop claimed “Cannabis” is a psychoactive drug Dogg (a substance that affects one’s as mental processes) from the Cannabis users, cannabis hinders brain development that he smokes 81 blunts (hollow cigars filled Sativa plant. It contains two main compounds, THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) CBD (Cannabidiol), with directly affectingand their academic performance THC the main psychoactive compound makes us feel “high”. While cannabis may help reduce with being cannabis) a day. At that time, while itthat was in school. anxiety, and increase appetite, evidence suggests that it does come with negative health effects, legal topain possess cannabis for medical purposes particularly on recreational brain health. In the shortwas run,yet chronic in California, cannabis to cannabis use impacts our memory, attention, and ability to learn. These short-term effectsmost may also carry onIn into the long amongare teenage be legalized. Though Snoop Dogg likely addition toterm, this, especially teenage users more users, as cannabis hinders brain development directly affecting their academic performance in school. had a prescription from a doctor, it is unlikely prone to addiction, as evidence from the CDC In addition to this, teenage users are more prone to addiction, as evidence from the CDC suggests that 1 that any medical professional would suggests that 1 in 6 cannabis users below the inrecommend 6 cannabis users belowonce the age of 18twelve suffer from addiction, while only 1 in 10 adult users are addicted. smoking every ageinofthe 18United sufferStates from addiction, while only A poll conducted by Gallup found that around 12% of adults have used cannabis in 1 in minutes, nor is it physically possible to smoke 10 adult users are addicted. A poll conducted the past year. Among them, 18-29 year olds are twice as likely to use cannabis than 30-49 year olds, with such a large amount on a regular basis. If Gallup found thatteens around 12% adults 22% of young adults claiming to be users of the drug. Theby use of drugs among is also onof the rise, in anything, this statement is a testament to the the United States have used cannabis topping the list of the most commonly abused drugs among high school seniors in the United Statesinatthe detrimental effects cannabis has on our past year. Among them, 18-29 year olds are 35% cognitive ability. However, following California’s twice as likely to use cannabis than 30-49 legalization of recreational cannabis in 2016, year olds, Despite these potential negative health impacts, some argue that with 22% of young adults claiming Snoop has been able to legally purchase they areDogg less adverse and cause less social harm than to legal be users of the drug. The use of drugs cannabis such fromas a alcohol registered an the legalization substances and dispensary tobacco, pushing among teens is also on the rise, topping the ounce at a time. of cannabis into mainstream discourse. With public support list of the most commonly abused drugs of this policy at an all-time high, many countries and among high school seniors in the United inSince regions around the states world have have legalized initiated cannabis States at 35%. 2016, 11 more decriminalization/legalization bills, supported by three recreational cannabis, taking the mainly tally to 16 out arguments: racial and safety. This article will of 50. Another 14equity, states economic, have decriminalized Despite these potential negative health examine these arguments in the context of the United States. recreational cannabis, meaning that criminal impacts, some argue that they are less sanctions are no longer applied to the adverse and cause less social harm than legal Cannabis was of prohibited 1937 following Tax Act, a possession cannabisinunder a certain the Marihuana substances such as alcohol and tobacco, policy that originated from racist roots. Harry J. Anslinger, the head threshold. To most Xiao Hua readers who call the legalization of cannabis into of the Bureau of Narcotics, spearheaded the prohibitionpushing of cannabis, Hong Kong home, legalizing this illicit drug may through a campaign that capitalized on bigotry and mainstream stoked hatreddiscourse. With public support of feel like an abyss of the mind, causing some of this an all-time high, many countries towards minorities. Anslinger first portrayed cannabis as apolicy drug at that the motives and potential benefits behind this andlinked in regions induced violent behavior, such as murder and rape, then it to around the world have initiated policy to be overlooked. cannabis decriminalization/legalization bills, African Americans and Mexicans, whom he referred to as “degenerate races”. mainly supported by three arguments: racial 52 ISSUE 24 24 XIAO HUA HUA equity, economic, and safety. This article will 52 ISSUE XIAO
