{"id":780,"date":"2018-11-01T21:15:20","date_gmt":"2018-11-02T04:15:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/communicatingscience2018w111\/?p=780"},"modified":"2018-11-05T15:03:33","modified_gmt":"2018-11-05T22:03:33","slug":"the-blunt-truth-of-marijuana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/communicatingscience2018w111\/2018\/11\/01\/the-blunt-truth-of-marijuana\/","title":{"rendered":"The Blunt Truth of Marijuana: Health Effects of Use"},"content":{"rendered":"

Humans have used marijuana for medical remedies, religious\u00a0purposes, or simply just to get high. Currently, marijuana is the most commonly used drug in Canada<\/a>\u00a0and on October 17, 2018 the use of it was legalized.<\/p>\n

The popular belief seems to be that marijuana is a harmless pleasure, access to which should not be considered illegal or regulated.<\/p>\n

Types of Marijuana<\/h3>\n

There are three different types of marijuana; Sativa, Indica and Hybrid. Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica were introduced in the 18th century.<\/a>\u00a0 Hybrids have been introduced only recently due to the breeding of the two plants.<\/p>\n

This complex plant contains many different chemical compounds. The four major compounds<\/a> are\u00a0delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (d-9-THC), Cannabidiol (CBD), delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (d-8-THC) and Cannabinol (CBN). Sativa has a higher THC content while Indica has a higher CBD content.<\/p>\n

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Chemical structures of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol by Zerrin Atakan<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n

Sativa<\/h5>\n

The Sativa strain has energizing effects which is why they are often used during the daytime. The effects of Sativa are said to be uplifting and can make a person creative.\u00a0Medically speaking<\/a>, this strain is used to treat depression.<\/p>\n

Indica<\/h5>\n

The Indica strain has a relaxing effect which can make you want to hang out on the couch and do nothing which is why they are often used during night time. The effects of Indica are said provide a sense of deep body relaxation which can help with pain relief.<\/p>\n

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Types of Cannabis\u00a0by thcdoctor<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Positive Health Effects<\/h3>\n

In a study done by Volkow, Baler, Compton, & Weiss (2014),<\/a>\u00a0clinical conditions with symptoms that were relieved by treatment of marijuana include:<\/p>\n