Pubdate: Sun, 02 Feb 2014
Source: Marietta Daily Journal (GA)
Copyright: 2014 The Marietta Daily Journal.
Contact:  http://www.mdjonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1904
Author: Nelson Price
Note: The Rev. Dr. Nelson Price is pastor emeritus of Roswell Street 
Baptist Church.

LEGALIZING POT WON'T KEEP 'JUICES JANGLING'

Highly motivated people are energetic and dynamic. Creativity and 
productivity are the outgrowth of motivation. Highly motivated people 
break down barriers, they overcome obstacles, they do the impossible.

Our president recently said marijuana is no worse than alcohol. 
Studies released since his statement show he is wrong. However, 
leprosy is no worse that cancer. Is good or bad, right or wrong 
simply a matter of comparison?

In an unscientific way, Satchel Page, the legendary baseball pitcher, 
may have explained a lack of motivation. He opined, "You gotta get 
the juices jangling." He likely never heard the word "dopamine," but 
research now shows it is a "juice" essential to the brain of motivated people.

Researchers in the United Kingdom reported in the June 29, 2013, 
issue of "Biological Research" using positron emission tomography to 
measure the distribution of chemicals throughout the brain. They 
found that long-term smoking of cannabis, marijuana, results in the 
brain producing less dopamine, a "feel good" chemical associated with 
motivation and reward-driven behavior.

Their study showed persons who smoke marijuana often and those who 
started smoking it at a young age had a lower level of dopamine in 
the part of the brain called the stratum. Lower levels of dopamine 
have been shown to contribute to lethargy and indifference.

I watched this influence on two cultures. We visited the Arab section 
of old Jerusalem shortly after the Six Day War. Young Arabs were 
dynamic, highly motivated. Their country had lost the territory in 
which they lived. They were energetic and highly motivated to once 
more take back the area. Drugs were introduced on a broad scale in 
the communities where these young aspiring revolutionaries lived. 
Over a very few years we observed their zeal quelled and these same 
young men become indifferent, lackadaisical.

The second culture was Bermuda. Our first of several visits to this 
traditionally friendly beautiful land validated their reputation for 
warmth and openness. Public transportation by bus and boat are the 
norm there. Like all Bermudans, when youth got on the bus, they would 
smile and greet people. It wasn't uncommon to hear a young person 
with a big smile say upon getting on the bus, "Hi, everyone." They 
would engage tourists in conversation and showed great respect for 
their elders.

Over the years, we observed the culture become distraught over the 
introduction of drugs on a broad scale. The youth became quiet, even 
sullen and unfriendly. Youth no longer made eye contact with 
passengers upon entering the busses. They lacked motivation. Native 
adults got little respect.

Another side effect of chronic use of marijuana often triggers 
inflammation of the brain which affects coordination and learning. 
Yet, another affect is chronic users tend toward schizophrenia.

The juices no longer jangled in these segments of two societies. Both 
are labs showing the impact of a lack of dopamine. That being true 
why would any culture promote the legalization of the product that 
reduces motivation.

The reason given is legalization would bring in money for the 
government. At what cost? How many young bright minds that, properly 
motivated, can produce more revenue by being motivated would be 
clouded? It is a short-sighted society that does not do everything 
possible to keep the juices jangling and provide every safeguard 
possible against that which demotivates its citizens.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom