A student holds more than 14 ounces of weed in his home less than a mile from campus.
(UPDATE: participants need to schedule an appointment and fast 12 hours before getting blood drawn.)
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 student’s 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.
“I’m 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.â€
Courtwright received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas and obtained a doctorate from Rice University. He is currently writing a book entitled“A 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.â€
“I’m 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 that’s something an undercover cop would do. One minute I’m doing this ‘experiment,’ and the next minute I’m locked in a cell with ‘Big Bubba’ on a weed charge. Ain’t no way in hell I’m doing that.â€
Criminal justice major Larry Morris shares Hick’s views. The 24-year-old says he can’t take that type of chance.
“It sounds a little too suspicious,†he said. “I think they might be wearing a wire when I’m doing the experiment. One minute they’re going to ask if I smoke, then they’re going to ask where was I the night of Aug. 5 during the murder. Next thing you know, I’m doing life in prison. I think I’ll pass.â€
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.â€
“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.â€
