Whether or not you smoke weed, giving up a little blood will get you enough to buy a gram.
University of Memphis students can participate in research performed by the Cardiorespiratory/Metabolic Lab to see the effects of marijuana usage on the body.
Those who choose to participate will visit for 30 to 45 minutes, provide a blood sample and be given $20 at the conclusion of the visit, according to the Cardiorespiratory/Metabolic Lab. Both marijuana smokers and non-smokers are encouraged to participate. All testing is confidential, and the students name will not be associated with any of the data recorded, according to the lab.
The Daily Helmsman tried to reach out to the researchers but did not get a response.
David T. Courtwright teaches courses in United States, medical, social and legal history at the University of North Florida. Courtwright is not conducting the study, but the professor said he believes marijuana can, in some cases, be beneficial.
Im a skeptic on the net benefits of THC, he said. I do believe that the plant has plenty of other active ingredients that may prove therapeutically useful. Cannabis researchers have argued that the plant can help illnesses such as PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Courtwright received his bachelors degree from the University of Kansas and obtained a doctorate from Rice University. He is currently writing a book entitledA History of Pleasure, Vice, and Addiction with the help of a National Endowment for the Humanities Public Scholar Grant Award. He also wrote an article entitled Scientists want to study marijuana. Big Pot just wants to sell it for The Washington Post.
Despite the $20 incentive, not many U of M students seem open to the idea of participating in a study that evaluates the effects of marijuana. Business major Tevin Hicks called the experiment fishy.
Im good on that; it seems a little too good to be true to be honest, the 21-year-old marijuana user said. This sounds like thats something an undercover cop would do. One minute Im doing this experiment, and the next minute Im locked in a cell with Big Bubba on a weed charge. Aint no way in hell Im doing that.
Criminal justice major Larry Morris shares Hicks views. The 24-year-old says he cant take that type of chance.
It sounds a little too suspicious, he said. I think they might be wearing a wire when Im doing the experiment. One minute theyre going to ask if I smoke, then theyre going to ask where was I the night of Aug. 5 during the murder. Next thing you know, Im doing life in prison. I think Ill pass.
Art major Marcus Swearingen, a non-smoker, is one of the few students who are interested in participating. The junior describes the experiment as free money.
All I have to do is give a blood sample, and I get 20 bucks? Sign me up, he said. I wish my teacher would give me cash for participating in my chemistry exam.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: University Lab Conducts Marijuana Study
Author: Jeremiah Graham
Contact: 901-678-2191
Photo Credit: Austin Anderson
Website: The Daily Helmsman
