Pubdate: Thu, 04 Dec 2008
Source: Uniter, The (CN MB Edu)
Copyright: 2008 The Uniter
Contact:  http://www.uniter.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4407
Author: Craig Heinrich
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

MARIJUANA USE DEBATED

Is The Leafy Green A Vice, A Dangerous Drug Or A Casual Pastime?

Drugs are bad. This consensus has driven the questionable War on 
Drugs in the United States, the criminalization of anything with the 
word "hallucinatory" in the description and the mantra repeated by at 
least three generations of parents in North America.

But of all the red-lighted substances in the legal gamut, the most 
controversial drug by a mile is marijuana.

Is marijuana a vice, or is it just "a lot of fun," in the words of 
occasional user Derrick King?

"You don't need it in essence," said King. "You can be aware that you 
want a toke, but you can ignore it; it doesn't reach the point of addiction."

Marijuana, cannabis, pot, green, dope, grass, etc., is a 
naturally-growing plant that when smoked, produces distortions in 
sensory input, memory and motor-related activities, according to an 
informational package released by the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba.

"Under the influence, you are less competent to do tasks that require 
more attention or organization," said Bruce Bolster, a professor of 
psychology at the University of Winnipeg. "Memory and understanding 
of facts are impaired or distorted."

Marijuana culture is active and kicking in Winnipeg, said Kevin 
Trosky, owner of The Urban Bakery, an urban design store that sells 
smoking paraphernalia on Portage Avenue.

"I think the culture is more alive today than it has ever been... 
It's becoming more acknowledged and accepted by the masses," he said.

According to a poll by Health Canada, cannabis use among young people 
is at the highest levels it has been in 25 years. The survey found 
that 34 per cent of people aged 12 to 19 have used the drug more than 
once, and 67 per cent had smoked cannabis before they were 15.

But experts say students are better off reaching for the bottle due 
to prevention laws.

"Smoking marijuana is not as good as drinking, mainly because of the 
infrastructure set up around the two drugs," said Harinder Aujila, a 
professor of psychology at the U of W.

"For instance, though we have bars and places for people to drink, 
there are also programs aimed to prevent drunk driving and advising 
against heavy drinking. There is nothing of the sort for cannabis."

Aujila said that in general, cannabis is no lighter drug than anything else.

"All drugs are harmful. They hijack the reward system in the brain, 
so you're getting positive feedback from something that may not be 
very good for you."

However, Bolster said our mind might just be hard-wired for marijuana use.

"An interesting tidbit you can take away is that there are specific 
receptors in the brain for the chemicals within cannabis."

The effects are therefore "not irreversible," he said.

As for marijuana's vice status, Trosky is on the fence.

"I think almost everything we enjoy can be a vice... That said, I 
could go an entire week without smoking, but I would have a rough day 
if I missed my morning coffee."

While marijuana sales and use are illegal in Canada, paraphernalia 
and cannabis growth stores are littered throughout Winnipeg; The 
Urban Bakery is located at 398 Portage.

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[sidebar]

Words from the public

If only university students ruled the world...

"It's fun to do it. That's why people think they are addicted, 'cause 
they feel better while high. It's not a vice 'cause I said so," 
- -Chava Rosenblit, first year, University of Manitoba

"The rehab for marijuana is two weeks. It's ridiculous. Who gets 
addicted to marijuana, honestly?" -Lisa Brown, first year, University 
of Winnipeg
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom