"According to studies, this substance interferes with certain receptors that regulate memory and mood functioning." "There are no minimum usage thresholds that scientifically guarantee being protected from negative repercussions on the psyche and behavior, nor is it possible to exclude that its constant use facilitates the path towards hard drugs". "Self-production without 'dangerous' clear stakes on the cultivated variety, methods of cultivation and extraction and type of active ingredients extracted"
Regarding the bill presented yesterday by 218 deputies, who would like to introduce the legal use of cannabis for recreational purposes in Italy, we report the scientific comment of the Prof. Mauro Maccarrone, professor of Biochemistry and President of the three-year degree course in Food and Human Nutrition Sciences at theUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma.
"'recreational' use – Maccarrone explains – refers to taking cannabis only to enjoy its euphoric and generally positive effects on mood. However, it should be remembered that such effects go through the activation of receptors (type 1 cannabis) present in our brain to perform very delicate functions, such as managing short- and long-term memory or regulating our mood, especially the sense of gratification or interest in everything around us".
On the possibility, envisaged by the law, of using it in limited quantities, 15 grams at home and 5 grams outside, the teacher clarifies that "based on the available scientific knowledge, the Individual response to cannabis should always be monitored by an experienced physician. This is implied by 'therapeutic' use, but not by 'recreational' use. Therefore, it does not seem to me correct to set reference thresholds without an adequately broad series that excludes harmful effects on the psyche and behavior of those who take these plant extracts 'for recreation'. We still don't know enough about the mechanisms of action of cannabis, but it is becoming clear that its intake can have particularly negative repercussions on health. I believe that prudence or, better, the precautionary principle should be exercised with particular care in this case".
Regarding the dichiarations that actually define the limited use of these substances as 'non-harmful', Maccarrone underlines how "land assurances of the safety of cannabis are very dangerous. Probably, the only way for an eventual liberalization is to accompany it with the obligation, for those who use it, to inform themselves carefully about the risks they run, following specific courses that 'enable' for recreational use. Furthermore, a periodic medical check of the state of health of those who take these substances is also necessary. However, I reiterate the concept according to which nI don't see 'harmless' ways when it comes to inducing the psycho-physical well-being of the person through chemical substances".
Furthermore, the expert does not exclude the possibility of facilitating, with the 'customs clearance' of personal use, the cso-called 'bridge effect', or the transition from this type of substance to hard drugs. Regarding the possibility of donating part of the proceeds to research funding, Maccarrone points out that "of course, it would be an excellent opportunity, since sOnly from scientific studies can solutions to the problem come. However, I cannot fail to observe how for other cases, such as gambling addiction, for example, the 'proceeds from the habit' unfortunately did not then flow into the research projects of the scientific community".
A firm 'no' Maccarrone opposes it to the cultivation and home production, personal or associated, of derivatives from cannabis. "I believe – notes the teacherUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma and self-production is extremely dangerous, since there are very different varieties, the so-called 'cultivars' of cannabis, which in turn produce different levels of active ingredients. Furthermore, there is an effect given by the variable cultivation conditions of the active ingredients of the same plant and also by the methods of their extraction".
