Legalization of Marijuana Essay

With marijuana being a very popular drug, it is not a harmful drug. Marijuana is used by many people all around the world. The percentage of people who smoke has increased by a significantly large amount. “Ever since marijuana has been known to mankind, not one single account of death

Today's marijuana is much more powerful and much more addictive than it was a generation ago.’" “Federal laws classify marijuana as a schedule I drug along with heroin and LSD. Although marijuana may be addictive to some, the potential for forming an addiction may be lower than with some prescription drugs.” (Live Science) Regardless, the reality is that marijuana IS a drug.

Marijuana is a good source of fiber and has been used for decades. Marijuana was first used in China as a medical treatment. It was used in North America for fiber. Marijuana was legal for medical uses from 1860 until 1942. It is known as a gateway drug. Many people believe that “marijuana is a powerful addictive drug that would lead users into narcotics” (“infoplease”). It is a proven fact that marijuana is a physical addiction not a mental addiction. Many people believe that marijuana leads

“Weed is addictive and is gateway drug. You shouldn’t smoke it.” This is a common misconception about Marijuana that a variety of people believe. This is because they do not know the history of it and what is in the Marijuana that makes it, what people say is “addictive.” They also probably do not know that there are disadvantages and advantages of using Marijuana. At the end of the day, it is really the choice of the user. But people should become more aware of where Marijuana originated from, what it is made from and the pros and cons of smoking it if they choose to.

Another important detail to remember is that marijuana is not proven to lead to the consumption of other drugs. “...the vast majority of people who use

There was no science backing this claim, and when it comes to marijuana neither of those things are true. It does not have a high potential for abuse, leading to a dependance in around 9 to 10% of it’s users. By comparison cocaine, a schedule two substance" with less abuse potential than schedule 1 drugs" hooks 20% of those who use it. Around 25% of heroin users become addicted. The worst being tobacco which has an addiction rate of around 30%.

While long-term outcomes of marijuana use may be less severe than those of Benzodiazepines, Opioids or Barbiturates, marijuana users typically only seek treatment after an excess of ten years of daily use (National Institute of Health, 2012). A common argument amongst anti-marijuana users would be that marijuana typically leads to or includes the use of other drugs in addition to their marijuana use. For example the NIH produced results which supports the suggestion that marijuana dependance co-occurs with alcohol and cocaine use in more patients than not (2012). THC will often be accused as being a gateway drug which means it opens the door to other drug and exploration by users than many other drugs that are considered to be more acceptable or socially acceptable. According to the Foundation for a Drug Free World, of adults over the age of 26, sixty-two percent went on to use cocaine, nine percent went on to use heroin and at least fifty-four percent went on to use some forms of mind altering prescription drugs

According to the opposition of some users, as many as 10 percent, cannabis leads to psychological dependence, but there is little evidence that it carries a risk of true addiction. Unlike

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

Addiction is another factor with any drug. Cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive. 86.6% of people who smoke cigarettes daily get addicted to smoking. Marijuana does not have as high of an addiction rate this is because it does not contain nicotine and is made up of THC. Studies have shown that 9% of people who smoke marijuana on a daily basis will become addicted to it. These numbers are drastically different and show how different the drugs are.

Others are concerned about addiction. The NIDA explains addiction is the use of any substance which interferes with many aspects of a person’s life but the person continues to use it. Marijuana use can result in dependence when used in large amounts and/or used over a long period of time. Severe cases of dependence result in addiction but are only a small portion of marijuana users. Addiction is possible but not probable.

“Marijuana is the most commonly used drug illegal drug in the world.” (“What is Marijuana”, 2013). It has recently become legal in a couple states, and more states are sure to follow their lead in the upcoming months. People can make the argument that marijuana does not have any negative effects, but they are wrong. Becoming addicted to marijuana is easy, and it only opens up the door for you to try other harmful drugs once marijuana quits getting you high. You need to know the whole story, how people become addicted, the negative effects it has on your body and mind, and what you can do once someone you know has become addicted.

Some people have concerns with legalizing marijuana. One of these concerns is problems with addiction. Using marijuana causes a high that most would say is addicting. While it does not have nicotine or other addictive chemicals in it, it still can be addicting and habit forming when used regularly (“Pros and Cons

Another unfortunate problem is that Marijuana is an addictive drug. It can cause the brain’s dopamine levels to spike, which can rewire a user to need marijuana to have normal dopamine levels (“Reasons Not to Legalize”). According to a National Survey

“Don’t do marijuana kids! it is a gateway drug that will have you hooked!” was a popular slogan used by the D.A.R.E. volunteers throughout many schools in America. The fact of the matter is Studies have shown that Marijuana is not as addicting as made out to be. Some studies have shown marijuana is as addicting as your morning cup of coffee; which stems from habit more than a bodily craving.