Finally, marijuana is actuality accustomed for the bewitched phenomenon catholicon that it absolutely is. Aboriginal came account that alleviative cannabis was a “highly effective” way to amusement abundance morning sickness. Then, Portland opened the aboriginal American pot cafe, and Detroit launched the Cannabis College for – heh – purposes of college learning.Now, it turns out that this adulterous biologic can absolutely abate annex on other, bad-natured substances: decree narcotics, booze and alike adamantine drugs à la able cocaine and heroin.
Research out of Berkeley, published in the Harm Reduction Journal, offers up a poll of 350 cannabis users. 40 pecent report using cannabis to control their urge to booze, 66 percent opted for weed instead of prescription drugs and 26 percent found that it helped combat addiction to more potent, illegal drugs. From Amanda Reiman, lead researcher:
“Substituting cannabis for alcohol has been described as a radical alcohol treatment protocol. This approach could be used to address heavy alcohol use in the British Isles – people might substitute cannabis, a potentially safer drug than alcohol with less negative side-effects, if it were socially acceptable and available.”
She goes on:
“…the recognition that substitution might be a viable alternative to abstinence for those who can’t or won’t completely stop using psychoactive substances.”
Like, all of us? Nearly half of Americans report using prescription drugs, and 4 million admit to using them for “non-medicinal” purposes (translation: fun, fun happy times). As you probably know from watching ever-present Nexium TV ads, your favorite go-to meds often come with a lengthy list of side effects, interaction risks – and a lofty price tag.
I think those 350 cannabis users are onto something: if given the choice, would you opt for a $4,000 annual prescription with the risk of explosive diarrhea, fainting spells and (shh!) even death…or a $10-a-day relaxation session with nary a significant danger? Unless, of course, you’re all up on the skunk.
