“Marijuana is an addictive, gateway drug. It significantly impairs bodily and mental functions, and its use is related to increased violence. These are facts,” states Charles Stimson, a nationally recognized drug policy expert. Many people are against marijuana because, as reported by Stimson, it is an extremely addictive drug and can have many catastrophic outcomes. Marijuana comes from the hemp plant or cannabis which is used as a psychoactive (mind-altering) drug used for particular medical ailments. Marijuana is especially unsafe for people under the age of eighteen because their brains have not fully developed yet. Effects for first-time users or people under the age of 18 may feel nauseous, have trouble concentrating, and have hallucinations. Most Americans have their thoughts about legalizing marijuana or not; however, they want to make sure they have executed large studies to back up their beliefs. I believe that marijuana should be illegal because of the harmful effects that it can cause on health from recreational users to long-time users.
Marijuana can be very addictive and after a period of time, it can become harmful. Dr. Drew Pinsky who is an expert in the field of addiction states, “It would be malpractice to say that cannabis isn't addictive. Anybody who's experienced it, actually been addicted to it, knows how profound that addiction is.” Studies also show that over 94 million people in the United States alone have used marijuana (The Truth About Marijuana). Marijuana is causing many people to harm and even death every year in the U.S and all around the world. In January 2014, a 31-year-old woman named Gemma Ross died of cannabis poisoning (How Many People Died from Weed). These facts prove to many that yes, marijuana can be deadly.
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There is a large list of effects marijuana can cause after you are addicted. It can only take one smoke to become hooked and then you can not stop. People who use marijuana often frequently report irritability, temper and sleep difficulties, reduced appetite, cravings, restlessness, and/or numerous styles of physical discomfort that caps within the first week after quitting and can last up to 2 weeks (Anderson, Leigh Ann PharmD). Marijuana disorder is when the person uses it until they can not stop even if it interferes with their personal life. The brain grows accustomed to the drug and eventually depends on it and it becomes the central role in his/her life. The mind-altering substance in marijuana is called delta-9. When a person smokes THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) it passes through the bloodstream and ends up in the brain where the absorption process begins (Promises Treatment Center). The main reason people become addicted is that, over time, they need to smoke more to get the same satisfaction. Recreational users also need to be aware that this drug is addictive.
Studies also show that even if you use recreational pot, you can still experience the same short and long-term effects. Recreational users have reported feeling anxiety, depression, and many other side effects after using for a period of time, as well as low IQ. Users can also become dependent on the drug just like alcohol and tobacco. The person becomes addicted when they have withdrawal symptoms. The drug can also interfere with finances, school, and social life. Recreational use can quickly become a larger problem. Synthetic marijuana products can have even more harmful effects (University of Rochester Medical Center). As you can see, recreational use can be just as harmful as more regular use.
Author Jack Healy from the New York Times says, “Colorado’s first-in-the-nation experiment with legalized marijuana has infused the drug into almost every corner of life.” Many people argue for the legalization of marijuana because it will eliminate law enforcement time spent on arrests for small amounts of marijuana. This allows law enforcement to spend their time on more impactful crimes or felonies. Since being legalized, the homelessness rate has gone up by five percent in the past five years. Also, rising numbers of fatal traffic accidents in which the driver is under the influence of marijuana have been reported in Colorado (The New York Times). Many talks about the benefits of marijuana use for medical conditions such as seizures and chronic pain. However, in Colorado, more children have been able to access the drug accidentally which could be fatal.
Marijuana can be harmful in small amounts and in large amounts. I believe that all of the risks that come with using marijuana outweigh the benefits of a landslide. Marijuana is a very addictive drug and can cause many side effects including death. It is extremely difficult to quit the drug. Even for recreational users, the drug can cause a problem. The legalization of marijuana in Colorado has not proven to be a successful idea in the long run. This drug should not be legalized anywhere in the United States or even the world.
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