The Cannabis Question

PBS (2021)

Film Review

The film begins by introducing the “father” of cannabis research Israeli professor  Raphael Mechoulam. He was the first scientist (in the sixties) to isolate and eventually synthesize the active psychoactive ingredients in the cannabis plant – THC, CBD and several other cannabinoids. His lab went on to discover the human endocannabinoid system in 1988.

According to filmmakers, there are cannabinoid receptors on every organ in the body, and they control the release of most neurotransmitters. The most abundant receptors in the brain, cannabinoid receptors are essential in managing stress. It’s now believe a breakdown in the endocannabinoid system triggers post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Medicinal cannabis first became legal in California in 1996. Lobbying by parents of children with refractory epilepsy would subsequently bring cannabidiol (CBD) to market in the state. Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t make you high. It has been a great boon to the 33% of seizure patients who don’t respond to seizure medication.

At present cannabis (in states where it’s legal) is a multibillion industry. Meanwhile  someone is arrested every 15 seconds in states where it remains illegal.

Cannabis is also illegal under federal law, the Controlled Substances Act, which Nixon enacted in 1970 (despite expert advice he received to decriminalize it). Federal prosecutors ceased charging offenders for cannabis possession during the Obama administration.**

Since 2000, 40,000 Americans, mostly low income people of color (owing to deliberate targeting by police), have been arrested for cannabis-related crimes (mainly possession). lThe film details the sad experience of a Black veteran with PTSD arrested in Alabama. Despite an Arizona medical card allowing him to legally posses medicinal cannabis, he was sentenced to five years in prison.

Medicinal cannabis (which is safer and more effective than opiates) is most commonly used for pain. It’s also purchased for anxiety relief and PTSD.

Research indicates that 9% of heavy cannabis users become addicted to it and experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop it.

*Prior to 1970, it was technically legal to use cannabis although legal cannabis was prohibitive expensive owing to a stamp tax Congress enacted on hemp in 1937. See The Politics of Hemp

**Owing to jury nullification (juries’ refusal to return guilty verdicts for unjust laws). See Obama Quietly Legalizes Marijuana