Argumentative Essay Marijuana
Marijuana
If there was a vote in every state to either legalize or to not legalize the use of marijuana the outcome would be the legalization of marijuana in every state. The question I have is why do so many Americans enjoy smoking marijuana? This is a huge ongoing issue that is being resolved as fast as possible. Personally, I’m against the legalization of marijuana because I see no reason for it. In this essay, I will be arguing why marijuana should not be legalized in all states. I will give counter-arguments to show why marijuana should be illegal and I will be giving the readers all the information needed to fully understand why my argument is correct. You will see questions with answers as well as facts to advance my argument.
What is marijuana? Marijuana refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. The plant contains the mind-altering chemical delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other related compounds. Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States. Marijuana is used in many ways with different tools. Some include hand-rolled cigarettes known as a joint, a pipe which is better known as a bong, or using vaporizers. Also users sometimes mix it in with their food or even brew it as a tea. If the user …show more content…
decides to eat the marijuana it will most likely delay the onset of the effects, but they will last longer. It’s completely ridiculous how many young people are smoking marijuana now a days.
Smoking marijuana will have effects, short and long term on the brain. Some of the short term effects include altered senses, such as seeing brighter colors, altered sense of time, and changes in mood. Also impaired body movement, difficulty with thinking and problem solving, and lastly impaired memory. There are many long term effects as well. Some include the effect on the brain’s reward system, effect on your cognitive development, and allows the development of respiratory problems. The more serious long term effects are alterations to the brain caused by daily use of marijuana, which can lead to the inability to perceive any negative impacts which brings me to the worst one which is becoming addicted. Addiction takes over your life, money, family and so much more. In addition to short term and long term effects, there are other health effects to look for. Physical effects include breathing problems, increased heart rate, and problems with child development during and after pregnancy. Also, mental effects that include depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts among teens. Lastly, long term marijuana use has been linked to mental illness, such as temporary hallucinations, temporary paranoia, and disorganized thinking.
One of the questions I have is why do so many people smoke marijuana?
It’s said to relax a person and elevate their mood. This may be followed by drowsiness and sedation. Other reasons are heightened sensory awareness, euphoria, and feeling hungry, which is known as “the munchies”. Another good question to ask is marijuana really addictive? The best answer is believed to be yes. Marijuana can be addictive. Research suggests that about 1 in 11 users becomes addicted to marijuana (Anthony, 1994; Lopez-Quintero 2011). This number increases among those who start as teens (to about 17 percent, or 1 in 6) and among people who use marijuana daily (to 25-50 percent) (Hall, 2009a; Hall,
2009b).
I've always wondered how marijuana affects a person’s life. The answer is reported for lower life satisfaction. This could vary from waking up with feelings of worthlessness to any type of outing or gathering where you have no energy or happiness. As well as poorer mental health which would be the loss of memory or having a harder time learning. In addition, poorer physical health which could lead to death and may include having no energy to get up and do regular daily errands. Lastly, likely having relationship problems which may include, a divorce or a break up, arguments about nothing important and having no satisfaction either physically, mentally or emotionally.
Marijuana is known for its variety of names and kinds from every letter in the alphabet. Most common street names for marijuana include weed, grass, pot, chronic, joint, blunt, Mary Jane, dope, reefer, skunk, loud and so many more. The list of marijuana names is huge and is increasing with every new crop produced around the world. Some of the kinds are 1 eyed Jamaican, A-3, baby, cabbage, diesel, early bird skunk, F-13, God’s gift and so many more. Marijuana is a huge business making unbelievable amounts of money every year.
Do you have a problem with marijuana? Here are some warning signs to look for. Some include needing more and more of the drug, spending time thinking about using the drug, spending more money than you have on it, or missing class or failing to finish assignments because of marijuana. Others include making new friends who also smoke, but neglecting old friends who don’t smoke, and lastly having a difficult time being happy without it. Because THC is fat soluble and remains in the body for up to 3 weeks, it’s very important to remember that withdrawal symptoms might not be felt immediately.
Treatment is always possible. Long term marijuana users trying to quit report withdrawal symptoms that make quitting difficult. These include grouchiness, sleeplessness, decreased appetite, anxiety, and cravings. Behavioral support has been effective in treating marijuana addiction. Some include therapy and motivational incentives. No medications are currently available to treat marijuana addiction. However, continuing research may lead to new medications that help ease withdrawal symptoms, break the effects of marijuana, and prevent relapse.
The legalization of marijuana should not be allowed. This argument is supported by the opposing position. Opponents agree that a state cannot be involved with the distribution of substances considered immoral by relevant lots of the population. The goal of the state is to protect citizens’ health and not to expose them to risk. Party’s from the supporting position disagree, but are for legalizing marijuana so it can reduce health care costs by reducing the probability of overdoses and accidental ingestion of an unintended drug. Opponents strongly agree that drugs are addictive and they rob the user of free will. Furthermore, opponents believe in the Gateway Theory. This theory states that the use of soft drugs could lead to the use of hard drugs.
Supporters of this issue believe that the prohibition must be weighed against the loss of personal freedom. Countries have a responsibility to respect individual free will and the right of self-determination. Yes, Americans should have the right of self-determination but not if it harms one’s self or hurts the environment around them. Personal freedom is important but if you look at the research and true facts on marijuana, you’ll see how bad and dangerous it is. Freedom doesn’t mean going to a store to buy weed so you can get high because it feels good. Freedom in the eyes of America would better be to help people. So, freely getting marijuana for a medical reason would be acceptable. Marijuana only has an effect for a little while and when it wears off you have to deal with the symptoms.
Education is most important in today’s society and marijuana doesn’t help with learning. Smoking marijuana before school can cause students to not care about succeeding, resulting in bad grades and even failing classes. Marijuana, when smoked every day will lead to the loss of brain cells that are necessary for early development. So many students smoke marijuana and say how good it is and how it helps them focus in class. Well, maybe but the likeliness of that being accurate is slim. The truth is that smoking marijuana at young ages can lead to difficulties in the classroom. You don’t need marijuana to focus. If you have trouble focusing, get on a medication that is safe and prescribed to help students with ADD or ADHD.
In conclusion, the amount of Americans who support the legalization of marijuana are supporting for the wrong reasons. You will hear them say (9 times out of 10) marijuana isn’t bad for you. It’s never killed anyone and it’s better than cigarettes. The Americans who oppose this issue are the ones who are concerned for our generation’s futures. No matter how good marijuana tastes it will never be tasty enough to explain the effects and disabilities it causes. Marijuana has probably over a thousand kinds with a thousand names. You can’t tell me that’s safe. The bottom line is that you don’t know what chemicals are inside each kind of marijuana and it’s not good for you.
If there was a vote in every state to either legalize or to not legalize the use of marijuana the outcome would be the legalization of marijuana in every state. The question I have is why do so many Americans enjoy smoking marijuana? This is a huge ongoing issue that is being resolved as fast as possible. Personally, I’m against the legalization of marijuana because I see no reason for it. In this essay, I will be arguing why marijuana should not be legalized in all states. I will give counter-arguments to show why marijuana should be illegal and I will be giving the readers all the information needed to fully understand why my argument is correct. You will see questions with answers as well as facts to advance my argument.
What is marijuana? Marijuana refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. The plant contains the mind-altering chemical delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other related compounds. Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States. Marijuana is used in many ways with different tools. Some include hand-rolled cigarettes known as a joint, a pipe which is better known as a bong, or using vaporizers. Also users sometimes mix it in with their food or even brew it as a tea. If the user …show more content…
decides to eat the marijuana it will most likely delay the onset of the effects, but they will last longer. It’s completely ridiculous how many young people are smoking marijuana now a days.
Smoking marijuana will have effects, short and long term on the brain. Some of the short term effects include altered senses, such as seeing brighter colors, altered sense of time, and changes in mood. Also impaired body movement, difficulty with thinking and problem solving, and lastly impaired memory. There are many long term effects as well. Some include the effect on the brain’s reward system, effect on your cognitive development, and allows the development of respiratory problems. The more serious long term effects are alterations to the brain caused by daily use of marijuana, which can lead to the inability to perceive any negative impacts which brings me to the worst one which is becoming addicted. Addiction takes over your life, money, family and so much more. In addition to short term and long term effects, there are other health effects to look for. Physical effects include breathing problems, increased heart rate, and problems with child development during and after pregnancy. Also, mental effects that include depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts among teens. Lastly, long term marijuana use has been linked to mental illness, such as temporary hallucinations, temporary paranoia, and disorganized thinking.
One of the questions I have is why do so many people smoke marijuana?
It’s said to relax a person and elevate their mood. This may be followed by drowsiness and sedation. Other reasons are heightened sensory awareness, euphoria, and feeling hungry, which is known as “the munchies”. Another good question to ask is marijuana really addictive? The best answer is believed to be yes. Marijuana can be addictive. Research suggests that about 1 in 11 users becomes addicted to marijuana (Anthony, 1994; Lopez-Quintero 2011). This number increases among those who start as teens (to about 17 percent, or 1 in 6) and among people who use marijuana daily (to 25-50 percent) (Hall, 2009a; Hall,
2009b).
I've always wondered how marijuana affects a person’s life. The answer is reported for lower life satisfaction. This could vary from waking up with feelings of worthlessness to any type of outing or gathering where you have no energy or happiness. As well as poorer mental health which would be the loss of memory or having a harder time learning. In addition, poorer physical health which could lead to death and may include having no energy to get up and do regular daily errands. Lastly, likely having relationship problems which may include, a divorce or a break up, arguments about nothing important and having no satisfaction either physically, mentally or emotionally.
Marijuana is known for its variety of names and kinds from every letter in the alphabet. Most common street names for marijuana include weed, grass, pot, chronic, joint, blunt, Mary Jane, dope, reefer, skunk, loud and so many more. The list of marijuana names is huge and is increasing with every new crop produced around the world. Some of the kinds are 1 eyed Jamaican, A-3, baby, cabbage, diesel, early bird skunk, F-13, God’s gift and so many more. Marijuana is a huge business making unbelievable amounts of money every year.
Do you have a problem with marijuana? Here are some warning signs to look for. Some include needing more and more of the drug, spending time thinking about using the drug, spending more money than you have on it, or missing class or failing to finish assignments because of marijuana. Others include making new friends who also smoke, but neglecting old friends who don’t smoke, and lastly having a difficult time being happy without it. Because THC is fat soluble and remains in the body for up to 3 weeks, it’s very important to remember that withdrawal symptoms might not be felt immediately.
Treatment is always possible. Long term marijuana users trying to quit report withdrawal symptoms that make quitting difficult. These include grouchiness, sleeplessness, decreased appetite, anxiety, and cravings. Behavioral support has been effective in treating marijuana addiction. Some include therapy and motivational incentives. No medications are currently available to treat marijuana addiction. However, continuing research may lead to new medications that help ease withdrawal symptoms, break the effects of marijuana, and prevent relapse.
The legalization of marijuana should not be allowed. This argument is supported by the opposing position. Opponents agree that a state cannot be involved with the distribution of substances considered immoral by relevant lots of the population. The goal of the state is to protect citizens’ health and not to expose them to risk. Party’s from the supporting position disagree, but are for legalizing marijuana so it can reduce health care costs by reducing the probability of overdoses and accidental ingestion of an unintended drug. Opponents strongly agree that drugs are addictive and they rob the user of free will. Furthermore, opponents believe in the Gateway Theory. This theory states that the use of soft drugs could lead to the use of hard drugs.
Supporters of this issue believe that the prohibition must be weighed against the loss of personal freedom. Countries have a responsibility to respect individual free will and the right of self-determination. Yes, Americans should have the right of self-determination but not if it harms one’s self or hurts the environment around them. Personal freedom is important but if you look at the research and true facts on marijuana, you’ll see how bad and dangerous it is. Freedom doesn’t mean going to a store to buy weed so you can get high because it feels good. Freedom in the eyes of America would better be to help people. So, freely getting marijuana for a medical reason would be acceptable. Marijuana only has an effect for a little while and when it wears off you have to deal with the symptoms.
Education is most important in today’s society and marijuana doesn’t help with learning. Smoking marijuana before school can cause students to not care about succeeding, resulting in bad grades and even failing classes. Marijuana, when smoked every day will lead to the loss of brain cells that are necessary for early development. So many students smoke marijuana and say how good it is and how it helps them focus in class. Well, maybe but the likeliness of that being accurate is slim. The truth is that smoking marijuana at young ages can lead to difficulties in the classroom. You don’t need marijuana to focus. If you have trouble focusing, get on a medication that is safe and prescribed to help students with ADD or ADHD.
In conclusion, the amount of Americans who support the legalization of marijuana are supporting for the wrong reasons. You will hear them say (9 times out of 10) marijuana isn’t bad for you. It’s never killed anyone and it’s better than cigarettes. The Americans who oppose this issue are the ones who are concerned for our generation’s futures. No matter how good marijuana tastes it will never be tasty enough to explain the effects and disabilities it causes. Marijuana has probably over a thousand kinds with a thousand names. You can’t tell me that’s safe. The bottom line is that you don’t know what chemicals are inside each kind of marijuana and it’s not good for you.