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marijuana legalization

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Martin Torrijos
Mr. Fontenot
English 104-401
October 28, 2013

Marijuana Legalization
The legalization of marijuana has been a heated topic of debate for many years. In 1937, the United Sates of America passed the Marijuana Tax Act, which made transfer or possession of cannabis (marijuana plant) illegal throughout the US under federal law. Studies conducted throughout the years have proven that cannabis can be utilized as a medical supplement. In fact 20, states and the District of Columbia have passed laws to legalize marijuana under certain medical conditions. According to the White House, it is the most commonly used recreational drug in the United States. It has been proven to be less harmful than alcohol, which is currently …show more content…

One interpretation of this phenomenon is that people which use marijuana as a recreational drug rather than a medical drug, seek treatment not to deal with a substance abuse but to manage a legal problem (Kilmer,etc.).
Even though marijuana can be used as a medical supplement, this does not mean it do not have secondary effects on human`s bodies. Marijuana can also get to be harmful. In fact, THC (The major component in cannabis that gets you “high”) by binding to receptors in the basal ganglia and cerebellum can disrupt coordination and balance of the body. Therefore doing complicated tasks such as driving, participation in sports, or learning is affected. One of the long lasting effects cannabis can produce on you is psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia. This illness alters a person’s ability to make good judgments, understand reality, communicate or think clearly. Memory can also be affected by marijuana consumers, studies has proven that THC alters how information is processed in the hippocampus, a brain area responsible for memory information (National drug Institute).
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana also affects your cardiovascular system. After a few minutes of inhaling marijuana smoke, the heart rate, which is normally between 70 to 80 beats per minute, may increase by 20 to 50 beats or even double in some cases. Mixing marihuana with other drugs can amplify this effect.

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