Cannabis October 29

Increased cannabis usage trend observed post-legalization.
Anomaly in 2016 with lower usage rates.
Statistics on cannabis usage:
- 17% of individuals have used in the last month.
- 20% of these individuals identified as chronic users (16 or more times).
- 80% use it sporadically (1-5 times in the last few weeks).

Survey results on opinions regarding marijuana legalization:
- 30% oppose recreational legalization.
- Slightly under 30% neutral.
- Approximately 30% in favor of legalization.
Survey results on medical marijuana:
- About two-thirds support its medical usage.
- 26% are neutral, small portion disagrees.
Perception of marijuana and violence:
- About half disagrees marijuana increases violence.
- 33% neutral, 25% believe it increases violence.

Questions regarding experiential issues due to marijuana usage added.
Memory loss reported as common experience among users.
Withdrawal symptoms: irritability, nausea, vomiting, driving under the influence noted as experiences.
Comparison to alcohol use shows significant differences in experiences.

Divided into psychoactive and nonpsychoactive types:
- Psychoactive Cannabis:
- Slow-growing, high cannabinoid content (e.g., delta-9 THC).
- Nonpsychoactive Cannabis (Hemp):
- Fast-growing, used for textiles, low cannabinoid content.

Cannabis use dates back to ancient China and India; spread via Arab traders.
1600s: Hemp legally required to be grown by U.S. citizens; used for agricultural purposes.
19th Century: Medical use of cannabis gained popularity; various forms, such as hashish, were consumed.
Queen Victoria's use for menstrual cramps and recreational uses appeared.
1920s: Cannabis linked to jazz culture in New Orleans.
Reports of crime and racial scapegoating arose; Hearst coined "marijuana menace."

1924: Louisiana bans marijuana for non-medical purposes, followed by other states.
1930s: Prohibition backlash; Harry Anslinger leads anti-marijuana propaganda.
- Campaigns claimed marijuana led to crime and social chaos.
- Examples of propaganda titled "Reefer Madness" depicted dire consequences of marijuana use.

Congress hearings led to the Marijuana Tax Act; significant testimony from both supporters and opponents.
Dr. William Woodward from the AMA challenged claims of marijuana's dangers; his testimony disregarded.
Anslinger presented exaggerated dangers of marijuana, such as leading to insanity and violent crime.

Established to investigate marijuana effects; found no link between marijuana use and violence.
Findings challenged and suppressed by Anslinger.
Importance of LaGuardia's report in historical context; shut down further research on marijuana.

Timothy Leary's legal challenge against the Marijuana Tax Act declared unconstitutional in 1969.
Marijuana classified as a Schedule I drug; research heavily restricted thereafter.

Most commonly used illegal drug; about 50% of Americans have tried it at least once.
Statistics on regular users:
- Approximately 15-17% report regular use.
Significant health and tax implications of cannabis legalization:
- $4 billion in tax revenue for 2023; significant growth expected in the market.
- Illinois reported $1 billion in taxes since legalization.

Slightly more men use cannabis than women.
Higher usage among younger generations compared to older ones.
Political affiliation impacts usage rates; more Democrats reported using cannabis.

Attitudes toward legalization have shifted, especially among millennials.
Generational differences reflected in support for legalization: millennials favor it, silent generation least supportive.

Map provided showing legalization status across states:
- Dark green: legal recreational use.
- Light green: medical use with low THC access.
- Orange: states with no legal framework for THC.