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 is used as a medicinal drug and for recreational use for many thousands of years. Evidence of this dates back to the ancient cultures of China, India and Egypt. Cannabis was used widely in the United States as a medical treatment during the 19th Century, and was criminalized at the beginning of the 20th. In the last few decades there has been an increasing movement towards legalizing cannabis, both for medical and recreational purposes.

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.

Article highlights potential medical benefits of marijuana for treating multiple conditions including chronic pain and nausea associated with chemotherapy and spasticity related to Multiple Sclerosis. Author also mentions that marijuana has shown effectiveness in treating certain seizures in epileptic children.

The article does acknowledge the dangers of smoking marijuana, which include impaired cognitive functions, increased risks for motor vehicle accidents, as well as the possibility of addiction. The author stresses that medical marijuana should only be used with caution, especially in the case of children and teens whose brains still develop.

In conclusion, the article calls for further research into medical marijuana use in children populations. The author acknowledges that cannabis has potential health benefits, but stresses the importance of further research to understand its risks and benefits and ensure it’s used in clinical practices safely.