due to the active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which stimulates special receptors in the brain. Different strains of cannabis affect the cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) or the cannabinoid receptor type (CB2). These receptors are stimulated by THC which acts similarly to the substance Anandamide, which occurs naturally in the brain. Like all psychoactive drugs, cannabis activates the mesocorticolimbic dopamine pathway which helps stimulate the “pleasure center” of the brain. All forms of addiction arise from this pathway as dopamine is the only chemical in the brain that every psychoactive drug affects. CB1 and CB2 receptors are found in all neurons of the brain, which attributes to the numerous effects of cannabis. Cannabis affects the brain by blocking inhibitory systems in the brain. By blocking this system in the brain that blocks the senses, effects such as increased awareness, slower perception of time, and euphoria occur when using cannabis. Furthermore, effects such as impaired memory, slurred speech, and reduced mechanical ability are also caused by cannabis use. Cannabis can be consumed by smoking, vaporizing, eating, or applying it to the body surface via some form of cream. Compared to legal and illegal drugs, cannabis has recently been perceived as less harmful and less addictive. This shift in perception has led nations to reevaluate the legal status of cannabis to determine whether it should be decriminalized and legalized. Countries like the Netherlands and Uruguay have legalized it for personal or total use while countries like the United States have made cannabis illegal at the federal level, but many states have chosen to decriminalize...... middle of paper .. …..whether nations that prohibit drugs should really consider decriminalizing drugs since their policies place an unfair target on certain segments of the population and use money that could be used to treat drug addiction instead of criminalizing consumers. The future brings with it uncertainty about drugs and our world, and we must be prepared to address these issues as they arise in order to promote good public health that will lead to a healthier society. Works Cited Degenhardt, L., Lepine, J.P., Kostyuchenko, S., Karam, A., Chiu, W., Sampson, N., et al. (2008). Towards a global view of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and cocaine use: findings from the WHO global mental health surveys. PLoS Medicine, 5(7), e141. der Brink, W. v. (2008). Forum: decriminalization of cannabis. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 21, 122-126. Works cited

Topic > due to the active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which stimulates special receptors in the brain. Different strains of cannabis affect the cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) or the cannabinoid receptor type (CB2). These receptors are stimulated by THC which acts similarly to the substance Anandamide, which occurs naturally in the brain. Like all psychoactive drugs, cannabis activates the mesocorticolimbic dopamine pathway which helps stimulate the “pleasure center” of the brain. All forms of addiction arise from this pathway as dopamine is the only chemical in the brain that every psychoactive drug affects. CB1 and CB2 receptors are found in all neurons of the brain, which attributes to the numerous effects of cannabis. Cannabis affects the brain by blocking inhibitory systems in the brain. By blocking this system in the brain that blocks the senses, effects such as increased awareness, slower perception of time, and euphoria occur when using cannabis. Furthermore, effects such as impaired memory, slurred speech, and reduced mechanical ability are also caused by cannabis use. Cannabis can be consumed by smoking, vaporizing, eating, or applying it to the body surface via some form of cream. Compared to legal and illegal drugs, cannabis has recently been perceived as less harmful and less addictive. This shift in perception has led nations to reevaluate the legal status of cannabis to determine whether it should be decriminalized and legalized. Countries like the Netherlands and Uruguay have legalized it for personal or total use while countries like the United States have made cannabis illegal at the federal level, but many states have chosen to decriminalize...... middle of paper .. …..whether nations that prohibit drugs should really consider decriminalizing drugs since their policies place an unfair target on certain segments of the population and use money that could be used to treat drug addiction instead of criminalizing consumers. The future brings with it uncertainty about drugs and our world, and we must be prepared to address these issues as they arise in order to promote good public health that will lead to a healthier society. Works Cited Degenhardt, L., Lepine, J.P., Kostyuchenko, S., Karam, A., Chiu, W., Sampson, N., et al. (2008). Towards a global view of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and cocaine use: findings from the WHO global mental health surveys. PLoS Medicine, 5(7), e141. der Brink, W. v. (2008). Forum: decriminalization of cannabis. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 21, 122-126. Works cited