Marijuana to Fight the Munchies

Overweight? Need to go on a diet? Then maybe cannabis is right for you to fight the munchies!

As crazy as it might sound, pharmaceutical companies have been experimenting with marijuana to suppress hunger. Cannabis, which is normally associated with the opposite effect, contains numerous substances in its make up. These substances are called "cannabinoids," and they affect the body differently. The same plant, for example, might stimulate hunger, but it might also stop it.

It's not surprising that drug companies are experimenting with treatments to switch off hunger in the brain. Obesity poses health problems for many countries. The U.S. and U.K., for example, recently reported a 30% incidence of obesity. Germany and Italy are even worse. Translated into a price tag, Americans spend $33 billion total per year on prescribed and over the counter weight-loss products. The U.S. also devotes 10% of its budget to obesity-related diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Obesity is the second largest preventable cause of death in the U.S.

In recent years, marijuana has gotten approval to treat other diseases. Advocates say that it provides an effective therapy for a wide range of medical problems, such as nausea, pain, and anxiety. For chemotherapy and AIDS patients, who often suffer from loss of appetite, marijuana helps. Others, however, suggest that no legitimate medical use exists, or that more effective treatments with other drugs supersede marijuana.

Human trials to fight obesity will begin sometime in the second half of 2007, and other drug companies will soon schedule similar tests.

Speculate: Write in the missing words for today's article title: "Marijuana to

() the ()" -Why did you choose these words for the blanks?

Fragments: Remember how the fragments were used, and complete the sentence from today's article.

1. As crazy as it might sound, pharmacies...

2. It's not surprising that drug companies are...

3. Translated into a price tag, Americans spend $33 billion total per year on...

4. Others, however, suggest that no legitimate medical use exists, or that more...

5. Human trials to fight obesity will begin sometime in the second half of 2007, and other...

Post-Comprehension: Talk about the following questions in pairs/groups. Remember to support your answers!

1. Do you believe that marijuana can be used to fight obesity? Why/not?

2. Is medical marijuana legal in your country? Should it be? Why/not?

3. Many people and governments feel very strongly about marijuana, even medical marijuana. Why?

4. What can be done to fight obesity instead of using marijuana? Are these methods better? Why?

5. Will other illegal drugs someday become legal for medical purposes? Why do/don't you think so?

Google Search: Type "medical marijuana" into Google. Look at the websites, and/or read additional articles on this topic. Discuss or write an essay about your findings.

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