Cannabis

The debate over the health benefits and dangers of cannabis, or marijuana, continues with the publication of a study in the Journal of Clinical Investigation that showed rats given a synthetic cannabis substance were less depressed and anxious. A research team from Canada’s University of Saskatchewan observed that a chemical found in cannabis had an antidepressant effect on rats. In the study, the animals were injected with high levels of an artificial substance similar to that found in cannabis, for a month and displayed less anxiety when placed in new environments, a usual trigger of fear for rodents. The team also found that the chemical caused nerve cells to regenerate in the hippocampus area of the rats’ brains, which is linked to anxiety and depression.

The research data and findings are being treated with a degree of skepticism from mental health experts, who warn that the laboratory results on rats are unlikely to be replicated in humans. A mountain of previous research has linked cannabis to long-term damage to mental health and an increased susceptibility to anxiety and depression. However, scientists point out that other recreational drugs, such as alcohol and nicotine, perhaps carry more dangers than cannabis. Research indicates that habitual smoking and drinking increases anxiety and depression as well as significantly contributing to an array of other damaging and lethal conditions. Cannabis has been shown to have medicinal properties in relieving symptoms of multiple sclerosis and other pain causing illnesses.

WARM-UPS

1. DEPRESSION: How does the following affect people´s mood.

  • The weather
  • TV news
  • The earth’s environment
  • Thinking about the  future
  • Studying English
  • Your city´s football team 

4. CANNABIS: What are all the other alternative words for Cannabis that you know?

5. OPINIONS: In pairs / groups, talk about what you think of these opinions towards cannabis:

  1. It’s a dangerous drug. It should carry stiff penalties for anyone using it.
  2. It’s OK for medicinal purposes if prescribed by a doctor.
  3. It’s less dangerous to our bodies than alcohol and less addictive than nicotine.
  4. Many of the politicians who say cannabis is bad use it themselves.
  5. If Bill Clinton “experimented” with it, it must be OK.
  6. Using cannabis leads to the use of hard drugs like cocaine and heroin.
  7. Cannabis is addictive and leads to mental health problems.
  8. It’s the third most popular recreational drug (behind alcohol and nicotine). People should be allowed to decide if they want to use it.
  9. Alcohol makes people violent, cannabis doesn’t.
  10. Your opinion __________________________________________________.


2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article:

a.

debate

worry

b.

synthetic

copied

c.

anxiety

cause

d.

trigger

doubt

e.

regenerate

multitude

f.

skepticism

produce

g.

replicated

characteristics

h.

susceptibility

discussion

i.

array

vulnerability

j.

properties

man-made


DISCUSSION

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

  1. Did the headline make you want to read the article?
  2. Do you agree with the headline?
  3. What do you think of when you hear the words “cannabis” or “marijuana”?
  4. How dangerous do you think cannabis is?
  5. Should cannabis be given to patients if it genuinely relieves their pain?
  6. Why do you think cannabis is illegal but alcohol is legal in many countries?
  7. Would you use cannabis to reduce anxiety if it was legal to do so?
  8. Some scientists say cannabis is safer than many foods we commonly consume. What do you think of this?
  9. Have you ever tried or would you like to try cannabis?
  10. Have any high profile figures in your country used cannabis?

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

  1. Did you like reading this article?
  2. What do you think about what you read?
  3. What do you know about cannabis?
  4. What is the punishment for possessing cannabis in your country?
  5. What is the attitude of people in your country towards cannabis?
  6. What do you think of Holland’s laws that allow cannabis to be sold and used in “coffee shops”?
  7. What would you do if you discovered your son or daughter smoking cannabis?
  8. Do you think legalizing cannabis as a recreational drug would lead to an increase in crime?
  9. Do you think cannabis should be legalized as a recreational drug?
  10. Did you like this discussion?


Role Play 1

CANNABIS ROLE PLAY: Should cannabis be legalized?
Team up with classmates who have been assigned the same role to develop your roles and discuss ideas and “strategies” before the role play begins. Introduce yourself to the other role players.

Role A – GOVERNMENT LEADER

You think all drugs are bad. Taking drugs is the cause of many social problems. Drugs destroy lives. Drugs finance many illegal activities and terrorism. If people want to relax, they can drink alcohol. Cannabis should not be allowed even for medicinal purposes. Society should encourage healthy lifestyles and healthy drugs.

THINK OF MORE REASONS WHY CANNABIS IS BAD.
 

Role B – CANNABIS USER

You are a normal person. You go to work every day and are never sick. You don’t drink or smoke. You think alcohol is more dangerous than cannabis. Alcohol makes people violent and leads to alcoholism. Cannabis makes you relax and have fun. You think it is ridiculous doctors say it causes mental health problems. You think cannabis is a great medicine.

THINK OF MORE REASONS WHY CANNABIS SHOULD BE LEGALIZED.
 

Role C – MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SUFFERER

You use cannabis to relieve the pain caused by your multiple sclerosis. Other medicines had little effect on the pain. Cannabis has an immediate effect and makes your life bearable. You think it is outrageous other people want to take your medicine away. You know many people who have become seriously ill or have died through smoking cigarettes.

THINK OF REASONS WHY CANNABIS IS A LEGITIMATE DRUG.
 

Role D – DOCTOR

You think cannabis is a dangerous and addictive drug. A lot of research shows it leads to mental health problems. Cannabis impairs learning and results in many car crashes and workplace accidents. No health associations accept cannabis as a medicine. You believe real medicine is best.

THINK OF MORE REASONS WHY CANNABIS IS HARMFUL.
 

Change roles and repeat the role play. Comment in groups about the differences between the two role plays.

Should cannabis be legalized for medicinal or recreational purposes?

Role Play 2

DRUGS: You have been given the job of deciding a new drugs policy in your country. Write down the dangers of the drugs below. Decide whether the dangers are big enough to make the drug illegal. Decide on a punishment for people caught using the drug.

DRUG

DANGERS

ILLEGAL?

PUNISHMENT
 

Cocaine

 

 

 

Caffeine

 

 

 

Nicotine

 

 

 

Alcohol

 

 

 

Cocaine

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

Discuss whether or not your measures would be accepted in your country.

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