Marijuana: For Better or For Worse?

1727 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Background of effect of marijuana

Marijuana is a harmful drug and should not be legalized. Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug used in the United States. It is a plant that grows from the ground however, it contains many harmful toxins. There are many pros and cons for the legalization of marijuana although there are more cons than there are pros; one being that children are the ones who abuse marijuana the most. Surprisingly, against other beliefs, marijuana smoking actually does impair the user’s ability to drive a lot like the effects of alcohol and it is more addictive than alcohol. Based on this information, many have concluded that marijuana should not be legalized for recreational use.
Marijuana is an herb that grows from God’s greatest creation: earth. It is a hemp plant whose scientific name is Cannabis sativa. Cannabis contains the chemical delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, THC for short; this is the chemical that is responsible for the mind-altering effects smoking marijuana gives for the consumer. The amount of THC has increased since the nineteen-seventies though. A survey in 2007 showed that marijuana now has approximately ten percent THC on average. The smoke given off from marijuana contains ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, as well as others, three to five times more than cigarette smoke contains. This means that the second-hand smoke given off is dangerously harmful to those around the smokers. To consume Cannabis sativa, users use the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and even the seeds off the plant to get the high they want and eventually end up needing. Cannabis sativa is smoked in numerous ways such as; hand-rolled joints, pipes, water pipes: bongs, and blunts. All of these uses give off a pungent sweet and sour odor. Some get the high from ...

... middle of paper ...

...Marijuana." National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). N.p., 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 15 Apr. 2014.
.
Morgan, Roger. Marijuana-Major Cause of Injury Accidents. California: Coalition for a Drug- free California, "2014."
"Pros and Cons of Legalizing Recreational Marijuana." Drug Rehab. N.p., 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 15
Apr. 2014. .
Shaw, Jerry. "Bad Side Effects of Marijuana Use." LIVESTRONG.COM. LIVESTRONG.COM,
11 Mar. 2011. Web. 15 Apr. 2014. .
Stimson, Charles. "Legalizing Marijuana: Why Citizens Should Just Say No." The Heritage
Foundation. N.p., 13 Sept. 2010. Web. 15 Apr. 2014.
.

Show More
Related

  • The Legalization Of Drugs By Douglas Husak And Peter De Marneffe

    1472 Words  | 3 Pages

    Marijuana also known as weed, is a green mixture of dry, shredded leaves and flowers of a hemp plant known as Cannabis sativa. Research has shown that marijuana has been around since the 1920s. People use marijuana because of the after affects. Studies have shown marijuana makes you feel delightful, it increases satisfaction while smoking, if you’re stressed, after smoking the marijuana you’ll be on cloud nine and the stress will no longer be present. Society has influenced people to smoke marijuana more each day. After interviewing a series of marijuana users, they’ve told me that marijuana is a safe, harmless drug, that is used for meditation. In order to smoke the marijuana, you’ll use some form of paper to roll it up with.

    Read More

  • Medical Marijuana Annotated Bibliography

    1043 Words  | 3 Pages

    Smith, Dave. “Medical’ Marijuana: 10 Health Benefits That Legitimize Legalization.” www.ibtimes.com. IBT Media Inc., 8 Aug. 2012. Web. 15 Apr. 2016

    Read More

  • Medical Marijuana Should Be Legal

    928 Words  | 2 Pages

    Fackelmann, Kathleen. “Marijuana: Useful medicine or      dangerous drug?” Consumers’ Research Magazine May 1997:      Vol.80 Issue 5 page 15.      http://ehostvgw8.epnet.com/delivery.asp?…&startHitNum=     10&rlStartHit=10&delType=FT.

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Marijuana

    1175 Words  | 3 Pages

    The word Marijuana also known as cannabis, pot, weed, herb and green stuff has been universally criticized since the beginning of the century. According to (Fitzgerald, K. T., Bronstein, A. C., & Newquist, K. L. 2013) “the term "marijuana” typically refers to tobacco-like preparations of the leaves and flowers” (Fitzgerald et al., (2013). (McGuinness, Teena M, PhD,P.M.H.-N.P., B.C. (2009) stated that “Cannabis cigarettes are also called joints, nails, and reefers; pipes for smoking are also known as bongs and bowls” (McGuinness et al., 2009) The truth is that the legalization of Marijuana has positive effects on both society and the wellbeing of individuals and should be legalized. The government can monitor and tax Marijuana thus helping the economy. Secondly Marijuana can be used as medical therapy; thirdly there would be less youth and adults in jails and prisons. Conversely the use of Marijuana can be proven highly addictive among individuals in our society; Marijuana is more harmful that cigarettes and Marijuana is known as the (Gate Way) drug to harsher drugs. The benefits of legalization Marijuana outweigh the cons.

    Read More

  • Why Marijuana Should be Legalized

    2031 Words  | 5 Pages

    National Institute on Drug Abuse. "The Nagative consequences of Marijuana Use." Marijuana (Contemporary Issues Companion). Tardiff, Joseph, ed. Farmington Hills: Greenhaven Press, 2008. 34-44. Print

    Read More

  • The Bad Side Effects Of The Negative Essay On Marijuana

    730 Words  | 2 Pages

    Marijuana has been widely mis-viewed as a bad thing; society classifies marijuana as a drug, parents warn their children to stay away from marijuana because it is bad; but those are all misconceptions. But in reality, it is actually a very beneficial drug to many degrees. Marijuana actually has numerous favorable effects, such as helping people escape the cruel reality for a moment, helping patients who are almost at the end of their lives feel better, and helping the economy recover. In addition, marijuana’s side effects are all due to human abusing it, like the old saying goes, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Although marijuana users have a history of not doing so well in life, marijuana should still be made available to anyone above the legal drinking age and be regulated like tobacco and alcohol; due to its assuaging effects to the economy and human’s mental health.

    Read More

  • Proposal of Marijuana Legalization

    1514 Words  | 4 Pages

    Many could argue that marijuana is destructive physically as well as mentally. “The National Institute on Drug Abuse says marijuana can cause heart irregularities, lung problems, and addiction” (Welch). “One joint can be just as damaging to [the lungs] as smoking at least two and a half cigarettes” (Ruff). According to Dr. Tom Wright, director of a substance abuse treatment center for adolescents in Rockford, “teens may be especially sensitive to marijuana’s effects because their brains are still being formed” (MJ Rebuttal). However, the marijuana legalization proposition would have tight restrictions and regulations by the states that would eliminate some of those issues, such as age. These facts are not consistent; the evidence is not backed from reliable sources. One institute is referred to, but more experts are needed to verify the information.

    Read More

  • Pros and Cons of Marijuana

    850 Words  | 2 Pages

    The legalization of marijuana has been a highly debated topic for many of years. Since the first president to the most recent, our nation’s leaders have consumed the plant known as weed. With such influential figures openly using this drug why is it so frowned upon? Marijuana is considered a gateway drug, a menace to society, and mentally harmful to its consumers. For some people weed brings a sense of anxiety, dizziness, or unsettling feeling. Like alcohol, tobacco or any other drug, those chemicals may not respond well with their body. For other people marijuana brings joy, a sense of relief, and takes the edge off of every day stress. For those who are associated with cannabis, purposes usually range from a relaxant, or cash crop, to more permissible uses such as medicine, and ingredient to make so many other materials. We now need to look at what would change if marijuana were legal. Benefits to the economy and agriculture, health issues, and crime rates are three areas worth looking at. Deliberating on the pros and cons of this plant we can get a better understanding for marijuana. From there it will be easier to make a clear consensus on what is best for the nation.

    Read More

  • Could the Legalization of Marijuana Save Our Economy?

    1211 Words  | 3 Pages

    Smith, Dave. "‘Medical’ Marijuana: 10 Health Benefits That Legitimize Legalization." . N.p., 8 Aug. 2012. Web. 15 Apr. 2014.

    Read More

  • Legalizing Marijuana in the United States

    1708 Words  | 4 Pages

    Marijuana, also known as Cannabis is the third most well-liked recreational drug, which only falls behind alcohol and tobacco, in the United States (The Whitehouse, n.d.). Marijuana is made up of dried leaves, plants, stalks, and pits from the hemp plant Cannabis Sativa, which comprises of the mind-altering compound delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), in addition to other associated compounds. This plant substance can correspondingly be converged in a resin called hashish or an adhesive black fluid called hash oil. Efforts to legalize marijuana for medication treatment and recreational use in the United States have grown in current years. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that marijuana may perhaps assist in a reduction of nausea, encourage hunger, and lessen pain (Food and Drug Administration, 2006). On the other hand, the American Medical Association (AMA) does not tolerate marijuana as a medication (1995-2013). So many answers are needed with such contradictory opinions around this exceedingly controversial drug to decide what measures need to be taken from the federal government for a final solution.

    Read More

  • Legalizing Marijuana Is our Solution

    1390 Words  | 3 Pages

    Richard Sepulveda (2006). “Marijuana: The Simple, Logical Benefits of Legalization.” August 16, 2006. Retrieved from Lancet 2009; 374: 1383-91.

    Read More

  • Recreational Marijuana Should NOT Be Legal

    1696 Words  | 4 Pages

    Recreational marijuana should not be legalized because of the many negative health effects it has on a person. Marijuana has a big effect on the lungs and when marijuana is smoked it can cause harm to the lungs. The smoke from marijuana has cancer causing substances in it. “Smoking marijuana can cause large air sacs, called bullae, to form. Bullae normally form in young marijuana smokers (less than 45 years old.)” (Drake and Slatore). Marijuana smoke has the same harmful chemicals that tobacco products contain, and marijuana smokers develop lung damage because of this. The fact that marijuana smokers hold the smoke in their lungs longer than tobacco smokers and there is no filters in bongs, bowls, blunts, or joints, there is no safe way to smoke marijuana. Blunts are the wrapping of a cigar filled with marijuana, a...

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On Legalization Of Marijuana

    1416 Words  | 3 Pages

    Cannabis is a natural plant that has been made illegal by the United States, and has been a controversial topic ever since the 1920’s. Marijuana is a substance that has been used hundreds of years ago as an herbal medicine and also can be used for textile products from hemp, which is from the Cannabis Sativa plant. Because of marijuana being categorized as a schedule one substance, it has no medical value and cannot be researched in the United States. Marijuana is said to be a gateway drug and is very unhealthy for adolescents with premature brains. The marijuana prohibition should finally come to a close because there are many benefits from cannabis and it is less harmful than both alcohol and tobacco.

    Read More

  • Should Marijuana Be Legalized?

    1629 Words  | 4 Pages

    Should Marijuana Be Legalized? In society today, many people look for a feeling of freedom. Many people go on vacation and spend money. The most common escape for people is drugs. Our American society is facing a tremendous drug problem. In order to eradicate the drug problem, a public debate is going on to find some solutions to this drug dilemma. It has become a highly controversial issue whether drugs such as marijuana should be legalized or not. Some people advocate this issue and believe that legalization is the only solution left for the nation while others oppose because it will increase the number of drug users and drug related crimes. Marijuana is a drug that is illegal in the United States. This drug as you know is bad and causes severe side effects to your brain and body. Scientist have found that smoking marijuana can cause you to loose your memory. Marijuana has many psychological and physical effects.

    Read More

  • Legalization Of Marijuana Essay

    1855 Words  | 4 Pages

    Marijuana is an extremely popular drug, not only in America, but in every other country in the world as well. However, there are many people who do not know exactly what it is or where it comes from. Marijuana is a blend of flowers, seeds, leaves, and stems from the Indian hemp planted called Cannabis. This plant contains a chemical called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which causes the “high” feeling that users experience when smoking it (“Marijuana: Effects, Medical Uses & Legalization”). The THC in marijuana is analogous to the nicotine in tobacco, but it is not as harmful. They both have many similarities, but they also have significant differences.

    Read More

More about Marijuana: For Better or For Worse?

Open Document