Medical Marijuana
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Washtenaw Community College *
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240
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Medicine
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Apr 3, 2024
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docx
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Uploaded by EarlLightning12079
Medical Marijuana
PART A
Please read the following article, “Science seeks to unlock marijuana's secrets
” by Hampton Sides, originally published in National Geographic in June 2015 and then updated Oct 17, 2018. Then please answer the following questions, divided by the sectioned off parts of this article:
1. Introduction: In this introductory section of the article, there are many comments made that were also reviewed in the textbook. Please describe two of them—at least 2 sentences each, making clear how/where you learned these two points.
One statement discussed in the book confirms that marijuana has existed for thousands of years. According to the book, the initial documentation of marijuana as a medicinal substance was discovered in a Chinese pharmaceutical publication dating back to 2700 B.C. Reefer Madness was another topic discussed in both the article and the book. The book explores further into marijuana usage during the early twentieth century, focusing on the association of suicidality and
criminality with its use. 2. The Chemist: Treasure Trove
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In this section, one researcher is labeled the “patriarch of cannabis science”—who is this researcher?
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In what country did he do his work. ●
Several important findings are attributed to his research. Please describe at least two of them as clearly as you can, in the following pattern for each point. This should take a minimum of four sentences to explain. (i) First, give the exact quote and page number; (ii.) Second, explain this point in your own words; and (iii.) Third, report the page number and the quote in the textbook that makes this same point.
The researcher was Raphael Mechoulam, who did his work in Israel. Mechoulam, in collaboration with a colleague, made the groundbreaking discovery of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (p.)." Before this breakthrough, individuals had limited knowledge regarding the specific substances in marijuana that induced its characteristic effects. However, Muchoulam successfully extracted different compounds and conducted
experiments on monkeys. The results revealed that only THC elicited a discernible response in the primates. According to the information included in the textbook on page 352, it is stated that "One of them, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), was isolated and synthesized in 1964, and it is undoubtedly the most pharmacologically active." He and his team were responsible for the discovery of the naturally occurring chemical anandamide and its marijuana-like effects. "Isolation of a chemical produced by the human body that binds to the same receptors as THC in the brain" (p. 3),
3. The Botanist: Into the Light
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Who is the main character described in this section? What is his profession/career?
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Where does his work take place?
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They describe two different “rooms” filled with marijuana plants. What is the difference between the plants in the two rooms? Be sure to make clear the significance of this distinction.
Philip Hague is the main character in this section and is the head gardener at cannabis company Mindful. His work will be performed in Denver, Colorado. One of the rooms Hague showed reporters is brightly lit and filled with large female plants intended for recreational cultivation that contain high levels of THC. The other room is dark and humid and is used to grow medical marijuana, which contains no THC and is high in CBD. This distinction is important because THC is the psychoactive component of cannabis and may be undesirable in medical cannabis.
4. The Biochemist: Miracle Cure?
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Who is the main character described in this section? What is his profession?
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Where does his work take place?
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What is the main question being addressed in this section? Describe the dramatic finding reported by the main character in his lab research with rats? Does he think he is ready to claim he has a cure for humans?
This section describes Manuel Guzman, a biochemist working at the University of Madrid. The main issue being addressed is whether cannabis can be used to treat cancer. He found that tumors
decreased or disappeared in rats treated with THC. But he doesn't want to claim there is a human cure because "rats are not people."
5. The Caregiver: Medical Migrants
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Describe the main patient and family under discussion in this section. What is this patient’s problem?
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What is important about the strain of cannabis that is used to treat this patient?
How effective is it?
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Why does the phrase “medical migrants” refer to?
The main patient in this case is Addelyn Patrick, whose parents form an integral part of her family unit. Addy is diagnosed with schizencephaly, a condition characterized by incomplete development of one hemisphere of her brain during fetal development. Her vision was impaired as a result, causing her to lose her sight. The aforementioned issues commenced when she reached the age of 6 months, progressively leading to a frequency of 300 seizures per day. The particular variety of cannabis utilized for addressing her concerns is referred to as Charlotte’s Web, characterized by its low THC content and high CBD content. The effectiveness of this
strain has not been extensively studied through empirical research, however, there are numerous anecdotal accounts suggesting its positive effects on a significant number of patients. Medical migrants are individuals who relocate to regions where marijuana is permitted by law, specifically to utilize it for medicinal functions.
6. The Geneticist: Building the Map
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Who is the main character in this last section? What is his profession? ●
Where does his work take place?
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What aspect of marijuana is his researching? What is his ultimate goal?
The main character was Nolan Kane who was an evolutionary biologist employed at the University of Colorado Boulder. He is currently conducting research on the DNA of cannabis. His ultimate goal was to chart the cannabis genome.
PART B
Throughout the article you saw references to many potential medical benefits and a smaller number of possible drawbacks of marijuana. Which benefit was the most surprising to you? Which drawback from taking marijuana was the most surprising to you? This answer should be included with Part A and should be a minimum of one paragraph of 5 to 6 sentences in length.
The article highlights an unexpected drawback that somewhat contradicts a section of the textbook. In the segment pertaining to Guzmán, it specified that research showed significant impairment across various domains in mice offspring whose mothers were exposed to THC during pregnancy. This encompassed the coordination and social dimensions, while keeping unchanged. However,HE did state that, "mice are not humans." There is a significant medical advantage mentioned in the same segment, which highlights the potential significance of the cannabinoid system in the brain in safeguarding against detrimental psychological attacks such as trauma.
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