Uncovering the Truth About Marijuana: Separating Fact from Fiction

Marijuana, the most widely consumed illicit drug globally, has sparked intense debate and curiosity. With over 158.8 million users worldwide, according to the United Nations, and the US federal government likely to legalize recreational marijuana in the near future, it’s essential to separate science from speculation.

The Burning Questions

As marijuana use increases for both medical and recreational purposes, crucial questions arise:

• What are the potential consequences, both positive and negative, of legalizing marijuana in the US?
• What simple, science-based guidelines can help policymakers navigate the contentious marijuana debate?
• How does cannabis affect the brain, and what’s the neuroscience behind getting high?
• Does cannabis have genuine medical benefits, and what’s the evidence?
• To what extent does cannabis impair driving abilities?
• Can smoking marijuana in adolescence affect IQ or increase the risk of developing schizophrenia?
• Is marijuana safe for use during pregnancy?

This comprehensive guide delves into the world of cannabis, exploring the endocannabinoid system and the presence of “weed receptors” in our bodies. You’ll discover the various forms of marijuana, including flower, dabs, hash, edibles, shatter, vapes, tinctures, oils, and synthetics, as well as the roles of THC, CBD, and terpenes.

Learn how cannabis affects individuals differently and how MRI and PET scans can illustrate its effects on the brain. This book also examines the long-term consequences of adolescent and adult cannabis use, and the evidence supporting cannabis’s role in increasing the risk of schizophrenia-like illnesses.

About the Author

Godfrey Pearlson, a renowned expert in the field, presents a meticulously researched and unbiased exploration of the complex issues surrounding marijuana use.

Publisher: Elsevier Science

Publication Date: July 11, 2020

Language: English

ISBN: 9780128181744, 9780128181751