| Long term effects of marijuana use:
Physiological effects:
Lately, a considerable number of researches are devoted to cannabis, concerning the possible adverse (harmful) reactions during chronic use. Cerebral atrophy, susceptibility to fits damage of chromosomes and congenital development defects, abnormalities of immune reactions and influence on testosterone content and menstrual cycle were investigated. Results are inconsistent and do not allow to come to a definitive conclusion. However, it is possible to confirm that cannabis does not possess neuro-toxicity, in some cases; it has positive influence on memory and the reproductive system, it negatively acts upon lungs while smoking but does not increase the risk of all kinds of cancerous diseases and also negatively acts on the brain development of the fetus and newborn child.
Memory:
Marijuana was recognized as a neuro-protector from neurotoxicity of exciting amino acids, and consequently is useful in the prevention of progressive degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.
Influence on reproductive system:
Marijuana, in average quantities, enhances the orgasm of both men and women and at the same time, delays ejaculation. However, as it has been shown, the infusion of THK in high doses in animals reduces the serum level of testosterone, complicates the production, mobility and viability of sperm, destroys the ovulation cycle and leads to a decrease in the production of gonadotropic hormones. However, other contradictory information is available, that tolerance to these consequences increases with time. According to Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy (1997), the consequences for fertility, linked with use of cannabis, are uncertain.
Researches have shown that the sperm of a person contains receptors, which are stimulated by the substances such as THK and other chemical substances, related to cannabis. Trials indicated that the smoking of marijuana can affect the functioning of sperm and also convincing evidence is available that ovum bonding with the sperms of tobacco smoking males significantly increases under the influence of cannabinoids especially in the case, when sperms were weakened by the negative influence of tobacco smoking.
In the news: Protesters desiring to call for the legalization of marijuana in Canada intend to light up and march to City Hall in Hamilton. As many as 1,000 pot smokers are expected to participate in the protest event. Organizer Chris Goodwin stated that they are trying to send a message to governmental officials that they are here to stay, that they are not going away. Goodwin, 26, maintains that they must fight against an unjust law by promoting civil disobedience. He has been letting people illegally smoke pot in his Up in Smoke Cafe. The police have appeared at the joint 250 times and have made 35 arrests, according to Goodwin. He selected April 20th -- 4/20 -- as the date for the protest because, he said, it is the national holiday for stoners. The number 420 has become a symbol to light up and smoke for pot smokers in many places around the world. Goodwin noted that no one really knows how the number 420 came about, however.
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