Cannabis, also known as marijuana or marihuana, or ganja (from Hindi/Sanskrit: gañjā, hemp), is a psychoactive drug extracted from the plant Cannabis sativa, or more often, Cannabis sativa subsp. indica. The herbal form of the drug consists of dried mature flowers and subtending leaves of pistillate (female) plants. The resinous form, known as hashish, consists primarily of glandular trichomes collected from the same plant material. The major biologically active chemical compound in cannabis is Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), commonly referred to as THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol).
Humans have been consuming cannabis since prehistory, although in the 20th century there was a rise in its use for recreational religious, or spiritual, and medicinal purposes. It is estimated that about four percent of the world’s adult population (162 million) use cannabis annually and 0.6 percent (22.5 million) daily. The possession, use, or sale of psychoactive cannabis product without a valid Los Angeles medical marijuana id became illegal in most parts of the world in the early 20th century. Since then, some countries have intensified the enforcement of cannabis prohibition while others have reduced the priority of enforcement.
Today, marijuana has been used as a medicine looking to ease people’s aches and pains with a few puffs from prescription cannabis. With little notice and even less controversy, marijuana is now available as medical treatment.
In Los Angeles medical marijuana is widely used to compensate with the illness which would make people who are trying to turn to because of its cheaper costs. Los Angeles medical marijuana dispensaries are reporting a sharp rise in customers lately, looking to ease their aches and pains with a few puffs from prescription medical marijuana. Since President Obama took office, he has eased fears of Drug Enforcement Administration raids, which prevailed under the Bush administration. Additionally, an increasing number of people are without health insurance, compelling them to seek cheaper alternatives to prescription opiates.
Because of the sharp rise of Los Angeles medical marijuana dispensaries, on July 18, 2005, the California Department of Health Services (CDHS) resumed implementation of the Medical Marijuana Program (MMP) and the issuance of identification cards or the Los Angeles medical marijuana id to qualified patients and their designated primary caregivers. This started the implementation of the Los Angeles medical marijuana identification card.
The identification cards were meant to aid officials of the law enforcement agencies in determining if a patient is found with marijuana and utilizing it under compliance with the law.
Aside from the identification card, there are also some regulation that was established for the use of medical marijuana in Los Angeles. These regulatons are: Senate Bill 420, Compassionate Use Act, and Health and Safety Code. Also, the Medical Marijuana Program (MMP) was established to provide a voluntary medical marijuana identification card issuance and registry program for qualified patients and their caregivers. The web-based registry system allows law enforcement and the public authorization to possess, grow, transport and/or use Medical Marijuana in California.
Although California was the first state to decriminalize the use of medicinal marijuana in a 1996 proposition, under the state’s federal law, all marijuana users can still be prosecuted and sanctioned.
Marijuana: a History
Leave a Comment