David Baxter PhD
Late Founder
Cannabis, the mind and society: The harsh realities
Summary: Cannabis has been known for at least 4,000 years to have profound effects on the mind - effects that have provoked dramatically divergent attitudes towards it. Some societies have regarded cannabis as a sacred boon for mankind that offers respite from the tribulations of everyday life, whereas others have demonized it as inevitably leading to 'reefer madness'. The debate between the protagonists and prohibitionists has recently been re-ignited, but unfortunately this debate continues mainly in ignorance of our new understanding of the effects of cannabis on the brain and of studies that have quantified the extent of the risks of long-term use.
The attached article looks at the weight of accumulated research including addiction potential and links between cannabis and psychosis, especially schizophrenia.
Summary: Cannabis has been known for at least 4,000 years to have profound effects on the mind - effects that have provoked dramatically divergent attitudes towards it. Some societies have regarded cannabis as a sacred boon for mankind that offers respite from the tribulations of everyday life, whereas others have demonized it as inevitably leading to 'reefer madness'. The debate between the protagonists and prohibitionists has recently been re-ignited, but unfortunately this debate continues mainly in ignorance of our new understanding of the effects of cannabis on the brain and of studies that have quantified the extent of the risks of long-term use.
The attached article looks at the weight of accumulated research including addiction potential and links between cannabis and psychosis, especially schizophrenia.
