Marijuana an Intoxicant?
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Salaam everyone!
I would like to start off by saying I am aware that this topic has been discussed several times here on free-minds. I have used the search engine and read several threads regarding marijuana. After reading the past discussions regarding marijuana here on free-minds, I feel that the community is still divided and I'm still on the fence. I made this thread in the hopes to find the true verdict on marijuana in the Qur'an. As a reminder, I am not well versed in the Qur'an (which is also why I made this thread). Lastly, I am a marijuana user myself. I do not use marijuana as often as most (I vaporize it once a week). With that said, I will try and tackle as many points as I can in this opening post.
I'd like to start off by attempting to address a verse that is constantly used to provide evidence that the Qur'an prohibits marijuana. The verse in question is (2219). The argument is that marijuana is an intoxicant and does more harm than good. In recent years, there have been countless studies proving that the benefits of marijuana completely outweigh it's harm. Here's just one link http//www.businessinsider.com/health-benefits-of-medical-marijuana-2014-4?op=1 which shows the benefits of marijuana (there are links within the link to the actual studies for ea. of the benefits).
As for "intoxicant," which is an agent that "intoxicates," is up for debate. Here are two definitions of intoxicate from both dictionary.com and Oxfords dictionary.
dictionary.com
verb (used with object), intoxicated, intoxicating.- to affect temporarily with diminished physical and mental control by means of alcoholic liquor, a drug, or another substance, especially to excite or stupefy with liquor.
Oxfords dictionary
verb
(usually as adjective intoxicated)- (Of alcoholic drink or a drug) cause (someone) to lose control of their faculties or behavior.
Strictly speaking from 10 years experience of marijuana use, I've yet to lose physical or mental control. I even wonder if people who speak out against marijuana have ever even tried it or had a very rare unfortunate experience that made them assume it was because of the cannabis. Physically you don't lose any control what so ever. There is short term memory associated with the use of marijuana. However, the short term memory associated with marijuana has been found to be temporary (it only lasts as long as the high) and not everyone experiences it.
It is also claimed that marijuana users are more paranoid. To me this argument is simply false. The marijuana users who are paranoid are so because they are using what is currently illegal in their country/state. Where it is legal (in some countries/states) or completely hidden in the privacy of ones home, there is no paranoia.
I'd like to end this thread with a more detailed personal experience. Using marijuana has a profound effect on me. When I use marijuana, it MAY become more difficult for me to multi-task but my focus sky-rockets. The scope of my awareness expands as though I am sitting on a mountain and viewing the world from above. I see more clearly, I am more understanding, and I am much more creative. And all these effects are nothing like what is portrayed in movies. There are no visual effects, or sounds, or anything physical. The effects are more like positive feelings.
To the free-minds community, I would love to hear your thoughts and arguments after reading my thread. I am more than willing to accept my misunderstanding if provided with information that will clear things up. I have an exam to take in the morning, need some sleep. I will try and get back to this thread as soon as I can.
Peace,
Ares -
Honestly speaking, we are to keep moderation in what we do. Thats what we are instructed in Quran. Anything bad obviously is not going to be permitted by Allah. At the end of the day, its an addictive drug that does affect the brain in a bad way.
The article you posted is mainly linked to medical benefits. For normal people, it may turn out to be unhealthy.
Strictly speaking from 10 years experience of marijuana use, I've yet to lose physical or mental control.
Depends on how much you take. In India, spring is celebrated by drinking cannabis milk. The aim is to get high. http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhang
It is also claimed that marijuana users are more paranoid.
Not more paranoid. Scientists use "can trigger". Its not gonna happen to all.
I never smoked it. But had some male friends who did it. To me, it is an "expensive" addiction.....even more than cigarettes. And my friends who smoke it didnt make it to school and often spoke dumb. Hence I don't support the drug.
Frequent marijuana use can have a significant negative effect on the brains of teenagers and young adults, including cognitive decline, poor attention and memory, and decreased IQ, according to psychologists discussing public health implications of marijuana legalization at the American Psychological Association?s 122nd Annual Convention.
?It needs to be emphasized that regular cannabis use, which we consider once a week, is not safe and may result in addiction and neurocognitive damage, especially in youth,? said Krista Lisdahl, PhD, director of the brain imaging and neuropsychology lab at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Marijuana use is increasing, according to Lisdahl, who pointed to a 2012 study (PDF, 6.43MB) showing that 6.5 percent of high school seniors reported smoking marijuana daily, up from 2.4 percent in 1993. Additionally, 31 percent of young adults (ages 18 to 25) reported using marijuana in the last month. People who have become addicted to marijuana can lose an average of six IQ points by adulthood, according to Lisdahl, referring to a 2012 longitudinal study of 1,037 participants who were followed from birth to age 38. http//www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2014/08/regular-marijuana.aspx -
This drug has adverse health effects even if the user may not experience this themselves. Infrequent usage may make noticing any difference difficult, but it happens.
Like with other drugs such as alcohol the individual reactions may be different, but no drug tends to have no adverse effects. Some people get agitated when not taking it. One of my family members took/take it and he is negatively affected by it without noticing it himself.
But it is arguable whether marijuana or alcohol is the worst of them.
Have faith
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I agree with keeping moderation in what we do. Even too much water can have negative effects on the body. Cannabis is approached in a negative light because of how it has been portrayed in movies, shows, and t.v. in general. As for the addiction of cannabis, it is arguably psychological. The cannabis plant is only expensive because it is illegal, otherwise you can grow it yourself (hardly a dent in your pocket).
To me it seems the pharmaceutical industry pumped a lot of it's resources to keep marijuana off the shelves and paint it in a negative light. In fact, evidence shows, many studies done in the past on marijuana were funded by companies that had major ties with the pharmaceutical industry or were directly funded by them. What I find odd is that as the cannabis plant is slowly being legalized throughout the U.S., newer studies are contradicting old ones. That is not to say that the use of cannabis is the same as it was in the past.
The link you posted says "Frequent marijuana use can have a significant negative effect on the brains of teenagers and young adults." And also, "People who have become addicted to marijuana can lose an average of six IQ points by adulthood." My question is, did this study take into account environmental, physical, and personal factors? Factors such as, were the subjects categorized according to salary/income, location, and were they mentally or physically stable to begin with? Most teens and young adults who turn to drugs (including cannabis) are doing so because they are battling depression and other difficulties. I suppose I'll look into that myself and get back to you. Ultimately the study admits that those affected negatively by regular use of cannabis were in the minority and even then it relies on "maybe."
Keep in mind that your friends and Man of Faiths family member being affected negatively would be the minority according to your study. Here in the States, majority of the people I know (regardless of their position in society) use cannabis regularly. Most of them are extremely ambitious, successful, and have 4 year college degrees (including myself). It's as if those who've never tried cannabis know someone who has been affected negatively by it and most of those who've even tried it once speak positively about it.
I respect that you don't support cannabis, and to be quite honest, nor do I. I don't support the cannabis plant because the plant is being abused in today's society. It is being used with the wrong intentions (leading to psychological addiction).
I wasn't going to reply to this thread till tomorrow because I am extremely busy, but I had to reply today to keep the thread alive. Because I'm in a rush I was not able to post more studies and evidence backing a few of my claims in this response. I will reply with many more links either tonight, or tomorrow when I have time Inshallah. Bare with me.
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Hi,
Compared to tobacco and alcohol, cannabis is not addictive. Quiting it had no side effect. But I will not recommended it. Yes it is not addictive, but it degrade your consciousness. Tobacco is highly addictive but muslims on the old day allowed it because it doesnot causing your consciousness to be degraded. And talked about morphine, muslims on the old day also used it for medical purposes since it was first found in egypt, but they are not allowing it for recreation since it can degrade your consciousness.The main problem on a substance is more to the effect which causing it to generate hatred.