Why Recreational Marijuana Should Not Be Legalized Marijuana legalization is a serious issue that has been contemplated by many individuals. The controversy has people taking different perspectives on whether or not it should be legalized for recreational use. There are various advantages and disadvantages to this issue, some more serious than others. Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug in the United States. While some states have already legalized marijuana for its medical and recreational purposes, there are many downsides to the use of this drug. Marijuana has an addictive nature, affects one’s health, and is a gateway drug. States should not legalize marijuana for recreational purposes. Cannabis is a thirty-five million …show more content…
The smoke of marijuana contains noxious gases such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ammonia, acetaldehyde, acetone, and benzene. The chemicals in the drug imprint on the brain like opiates (a drug containing opium or its derivatives). One study has shown that the blood vessels in the brain of a marijuana smoker experience restricted flow. Restricted blood vessel flow causes the functions of the brain to work improperly. Some common impacts on the mentality are temporary hallucinations and temporary paranoia. Users have also experienced difficulty with thinking and impaired memory. Studies have also shown that the use of marijuana has been linked to depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among teenagers and young adults. In a world where intelligence is highly valued it is ironic that many people support a drug that affects one's mentality. More people need to comprehend that marijuana is a hallucinogen, which distorts how the mind perceives the world a person lives in.
Frequent marijuana users are familiar with the short-term effects that inhaling marijuana brings. The effect of a joint or other implement is usually felt within minutes of the initial hit. Effects that are more common include dangerous driving behavior, altered senses, altered sense of time, changes in mood, impaired body movement and the munchies. The heart rate of a marijuana user increases up to three hours after “blazing it” and increases their chance of a heart attack. These might not seem like serious effects, but when an individual is not in their right state of mind, unfortunate situations could
Smoking of marijuana can cause the person to become addicted to cocaine, heroin, and other drugs. Heavy or daily use effects the parts that control memory, attention, and learning (Facts for Teens, 13). When teens are 12 and 13 they are more exposed to drugs and most likely don’t listen to their parents (Age in Stem., 1). Some other psychological side effects would be paranoia, anxiety, fatigue, Euphoria, and mood swings (Fact Sheet, 1). Studies have shown that when a person uses marijuana it causes the heart to beat faster and work harder (Fact Sheet, 2). When people have smoked large measures of marijuana for years, the drugs takes its charge on mental functions (Facts for Teens, 13).
The dispute over the legalization of cannabis sativa, more commonly known as marijuana, is one of the most controversial issues ever to take place in the United States. Its use as a medicine has existed for thousands of years in many countries across the globe. Legalization should be considered despite efforts made by groups who say marijuana is a harmful drug that will increase crime rates and lead users to other more dangerous substances. The legalization of marijuana can improve our society by helping with our economy, freeing legal resources, and benefiting the overall health of the nation though medical uses.
Marijuana is a mixture of the dried parts of the cannabis sativa hemp plant. Excessive marijuana use can lead to an addiction. The main chemical in marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which moves quickly through the bloodstream and to the brain, causing mild hallucinogenic effects. THC binds with cannabdnob receptors and activates neurons, which causes adverse effects on the mind and body. THC can mimic or block actions of neurotransmitters and interfere with normal functions. Marijuana use can lead to disturbed thoughts and can worsen psychotic symptoms. The short-term effects of marijuana include impaired coordination; skewed sensory and time perception; difficulty with thinking; shortened attention span and distractibility; impaired learning and memory. Long term users of marijuana often experience lowered motivation and some can experience anxiety, panic attacks, respiratory illness, and increased heart rate and risk of heart attack.
There are many controversial topics being discussed in the United States today. Some will have more of an impact than others. Some you may have never even heard of. One of the major and most controversial topics in my opinion is whether or not marijuana should be legalized in the US. There are many factors that play a role in deciding if marijuana would be beneficial to our country. In this essay we will dig into the positives and negatives of legalizing marijuana and you can decide for yourself if legalizing marijuana is a good idea or not.
It is accepted in medical circles today that marijuana use causes no evident long-term cardiovascular problems for normal persons. Marijuana smoking, however, does cause changes in the heart and body's circulation characteristic of stress, which
Cannabis has copious amounts of effects on your body and brain. The effects range from bad all the way to good. Negative effects of cannabis may include anxiety, paranoia, and lowered reaction time, increased heart rate, distorted sense of time, and in some cases, psychosis. Cannabis does have positive effects for people with illnesses including cancer, multiple sclerosis, and many more. For teens, however, there is an increase of cannabis’ negative effects on the brain. This may include decreased brain activity, decreased neurons, trouble thinking and focusing, and a higher rate of dropping out of high school. Chronic users of cannabis may become dependent on it. It can also increase your rate of respiratory problems,
Smoking marijuana is best described as a one-way ticket to negative side-affects. Based on Lifetime Health by Friedman, D. P., Stine, C. C., and Whaten S. “smoked marijuana are felt within minutes and may last for 2 or 3 hours”(2009). Short term effects consist of slowed thinking ability, difficulty paying attention, distorted sense of time, and many more. (Friedman, D. P., Stine, C. C., and Whaten S. (2009). Long term effects include frequent respiratory infection, impaired learning and memory, and even panic attacks (Friedman, D. P., Stine, C. C., and Whaten S. (2009). Thus, the ingestion in smoking marijuana can cause harmful outcomes, which are
The signs of addiction are thinking problems, physical health problems, and mental health problems. When teenagers use marijuana, it affects the way their brains develop, reducing the way they think, learn, and solve problems. In the long term, marijuana use also correlates to lower intelligence. Smoking marijuana can lead to many lung related issues including chronic respiratory illness and cough. Furthermore, it can result in higher heart rates for up to 3 hours after use, potentially increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or other cardiac issues. In terms of mental health, marijuana can cause paranoia, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking, along with higher incidences of depression and anxiety, especially in
According to Marcel O. Bonn-Miller, the author of “Marijuana”, The high may include a dreamy, relaxed state in which users seem more aware of their senses. The high may last around 1 to 3 hours, but could be more if eaten rather than smoked. After using marijuana, their feelings, thoughts, and perceptions change. In some people, marijuana may cause anxiety or panic. “Short-term physiological effects of marijuana use include redness in the eyes and a rapid heartbeat, as well as increased hunger and sensitivity of the senses, often taste, hearing, and smell.” (Marijuana) Marijuana use interferes with judgement and coordination while high. People who are high from marijuana have a slower reaction time. Increased heart rate is also a common effect in the use of
The argument of legalizing or prohibiting marijuana has been going on for very long time all over the world. In most countries, possession and use of marijuana is considered illegal. Today, some countries have legalized marijuana while other countries have not. In the United States, some states such as Washington and Colorado have also legalized the possession and usage of marijuana for medical and recreational purposes for adults. There are a number of advocacy groups that stand for its legalization for health related claims and also for a responsible recreational usage. On the other hand, various penalties are imposed for use or possession of marijuana in most countries. The use of marijuana is a very serious question as it always deals with the life of human being and its impact to our society. The risk of addiction, poor health and socio-economic problems associated with the use of marijuana are few of the many reasons why Marijuana should be illegal in United States or any other country in the world. Lots of research has been done to provide substantial scientific evidence as to why Marijuana use is harmful to oneself and to the society.
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.
This impact of recreational marijuana use can cause harm to its users and those around them. One impact of marijuana abuse is that it can hurt our senses, which can lead to hallucinations, not hearing important announcements, or even car accidents. THC affects certain parts of the brain by destroying their cells. When THC affects the cerebellum, neocortex, and the hippocampus, then it can affect that person’s judgement, and learning and memory issues. When THC goes to the amygdala and the hypothalamus, then it can cause bad behavior, aggressiveness, rebellion, poor relationships, and an increased sexual appetite. Sadly, addiction comes when THC goes to the nucleus accumbens. A few states such as Colorado and Idaho, have legalized marijuana for recreational use. As a result in Denver, Colorado there has been an increase of emergency room visits, exposed to by youth from curiosity and it having a presence in some baked goods, 40% more drug expulsions at schools, and 10% increase in
Marijuana and its effects. Marijuana’s scientific name is Cannabis Sativa, it contains a psychoactive chemical that alters the mind, providing intoxicating effects to its users that seek for it for recreational purposes, and the chemical responsible for its effects is delta-9-tetrahydro-cannbinol (THC) (Drugabuse). When a person smokes marijuana, the user feels its effects immediately, experiencing a pleasant euphoria and relaxation. Other effects heightened sensory perception, laughter, altered perception of time and increased appetite. Also, there are instances when marijuana does not bring to the user pleasant effects, some of these
People usually do not think this will ever happen to them, because it is very rare that you hear of this occurring. What people do not realize though is that this is usually not ever found, they just suffer from the effects. Another bad side effect marijuana has is that it increases heart rates, causes anxiety and panic attacks (65). These effects can lead to serious trauma that could cause death. This is so serious because people do not think they ever have to go to the hospital, so it is never detected in their brains. Due to smoking marijuana, one’s brain and body are at an extremely high risk of these bad side effects.
Marijuana should not be legalized because it will increase health issues, its use will rise rather than decline, and taxation will result in economic failure. In recent years, however, society has become very moderate, and this is why society’s views can be swayed by the benefits of legalization. Nowadays, legalizing marijuana is not that big of a deal as it was in the 60’s and 70’s when hippies and peace organizations were advocating for marijuana use. However, if marijuana is legalized it has been said that it might be the gateway drug to legalizing all illegal drugs.