Trace the history of cannabis use and its effect on health (select one current article from a nursing journal on the benefits and/or hazards of smoking cannabis).

Cannabis has been used for both medicinal and recreational purposes for thousands of years, with evidence of its use dating back to ancient China, India, and Egypt. In the United States, cannabis was widely used as a medicinal treatment in the 19th century, but was later criminalized in the early 20th century. Over the past few decades, there has been a growing movement to legalize cannabis for medicinal and recreational use.

One current article on the benefits and hazards of smoking cannabis is “Medical Marijuana: A Review of the Science and Implications for Developmental-Behavioral Pediatric Practice” by Dr. Sharon Levy, published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics in 2017.

The article highlights the potential benefits of medical marijuana in treating a range of conditions, including chronic pain, nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, and spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis. The author also notes that cannabis has been shown to be effective in treating some types of seizures in children with epilepsy.

However, the article also acknowledges the potential hazards associated with smoking cannabis, including impaired cognitive function, increased risk of motor vehicle accidents, and the potential for addiction. The author emphasizes the importance of caution in using medical marijuana, particularly in children and adolescents whose brains are still developing.

The article concludes by calling for more research on the use of medical marijuana, particularly in pediatric populations. While acknowledging the potential benefits of cannabis, the author emphasizes the need for further study to better understand the risks and benefits of its use, and to ensure that it is used safely and appropriately in clinical practice.