Legalizing Marijuana Argument Essay
During the year of 2012, Washington and Colorado began the first states to regulate the use of medical and recreational marijuana. In the 2014 election, Alaska, Oregon, and Washington, D.C. also joined in to legalized marijuana. There are only a few states that legalized the drug for medical uses only, while the other states have no laws legalizing it. However, many people think marijuana is harmful and a gateway drug, but the ones that make use of it suggest that it should be legalized. The idea of legalizing marijuana is a big deal, as it affects society and the economy. As a result, there has been an ongoing debate whether or not to legalized the use of marijuana. This essay will consider the benefits marijuana and will state some of the outcomes. The legalization of marijuana should be passed because it has medical benefits, less harmful than tobacco, and eco-friendly. There has been a great debate between marijuana having medical benefits and including health risks. The chemicals in marijuana that seem to have a medical impact is cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Scientists from California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, found that the chemical CBD can stop cancer from spreading. Pierre Desprez was studying the gene ID-1, that causes cancer to spread,
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while Sean McAllister was studying the effects of cannabidiol. The two combined and found out that the cells stopped spreading and returned to normal (Wilkey, Robin). Marijuana is also known to treat glaucoma. It reduces the intraocular pressure within the eye, by reducing the pain and progress of the condition (Marijuana Policy Project).
From an opponent’s viewpoint, the use of the drug can affect one’s memory, coordination, and learning ability. As teenagers begin using marijuana, it takes effect on their brain, due to the fact that they are still growing and body developing. An issue from Psychopharmacology, “a group of 181 adolescents between the ages of 16 and 20 on their learning and memory skills. Out of this group, cannabis users scored lower on cognitive tests than alcohol users or non-drug users” (How Does Marijuana Affect the Brain?). So if the user of the drug began using it at an early age, their learning ability would be affected. However, the effect on the brain is not long lasting. One must be using marijuana for a long period of time or be taking larger amounts than the average user. So you can consume marijuana and still not get brain damage. Although, there is a temporary overdose of marijuana, which is called “greening out.” The symptoms result in anxiety, nausea, and hangover, but it does not lead to death (New Health Guide). Although marijuana serves medical purposes, it is also less harmful than tobacco. Such as the plant does not contain nicotine unlike tobacco. Tobacco contains nicotine, which makes it addictive and damaging the lungs and respiratory system. From The Verge reports, researchers compared the lethal and normal amount of different types of drugs, such as alcohol, tobacco, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana. They found that marijuana would be classified as “low” rather than “high” for the other drugs (Smith, Chris). From LA Weekly, Dr. Donald Taskin from UCLA has been studying marijuana and its effect on lungs. He states that the smoke from marijuana is similar to the smoke from tobacco, due to the fact of cancer-causing chemicals does damage to the lungs. Dr. Taskin says, “Through my studies, we failed to find any positive association...the association would be negative, between lung cancer and the use of marijuana.” So he concludes that smoking marijuana does not cause lung cancer (Denman-Underhill, Lori). Even though marijuana may be less harmful than tobacco, it still can trigger cancer and has toxins within that may lead to illness. Research studies show that smoking marijuana causes chronic bronchitis, which is mucus becomes inflamed in the lungs. It does that by killing the cells that help remove the bacteria in the lungs. Also it affects the immune system, that fights the disease (Marijuana and Lung Health). Researchers have found that smoke from marijuana contains higher levels of certain toxins than tobacco, such as ammonia and hydrogen cyanide The levels of ammonia were twenty times higher than the tobacco smoke. With three to five times higher of hydrogen cyanide and nitric oxide (Marijuana Smoke). Although, marijuana does not contain nicotine which would make it addictive like tobacco. It also has higher levels of toxins than tobacco and can cause lung damage, but this is only if you abuse the use of marijuana. Such as taking a larger amount than usual, smoking more than the average user, or mixing it with tobacco. Even though marijuana has some disadvantages, it is still less harmful than tobacco. Tobacco increases the chances of lung cancer, contains more toxins, and you tend to smoke more. The legalization of marijuana is friendly to the environment and economy.
If marijuana was legalized and regulated, people would be able to grow it outside on their property, saving energy or electricity and water. Since marijuana is a natural plant, the sun and rain water would still help it grow. Since Colorado was the first state to legalize marijuana in January 2014, it brought in $53 million in tax revenue (Lobosco, Katie). Also it would create job opportunities for people and saves the country money. Like law enforcement, the government would not spend a lot of money on them to regulate marijuana on the streets. But instead focusing more on the deadly drugs like
alcohol. The disadvantages of growing marijuana outdoors, may affect other plantations and wildlife. Such as the pesticides used in the production. It exposes the pesticide to consumers, workers, and the environment. Also the use of a pesticide on a crop that it is not registered to may cause health effects. So if the pesticide is not registered by the EPA, which is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, it is considered illegal (Feldman, Jay). Instead of growing marijuana outdoors, it is mostly grown indoors. That consists of using a lot of energy for the plant to grow successfully in the correct temperature, lighting, and humidity. Some reference examples include one kilogram of marijuana is equivalent to driving across the United States five times or four plants is equivalent to running thirty refrigerators (Schmidt, Rob). While marijuana damages wildlife, plantations, and takes up a lot of energy, people should cultivate marijuana outdoors. Since the pesticides used are not registered with the EPA or may cause harm, they should use fewer pesticides and the workers should be in safe working clothes so they are not exposed. Also since growing marijuana indoors uses a lot of energy, that means more fossil fuels have to be burned and that costs a lot of money. The cost can rise up from the billions to the trillions a year on coal, oil, and natural gas (The High Cost of Fossil Fuels). In conclusion, legalizing marijuana has many benefits that come along with it. It can affect one’s health and the world. Marijuana can be used for medical purposes, beneficial for environment, and the safest drug. It can also bring in money to the United States since they are in debt and owe a lot of money. However, there are different viewpoints, one may agree that marijuana should be legalized for many reasons, while another may disagree.
while Sean McAllister was studying the effects of cannabidiol. The two combined and found out that the cells stopped spreading and returned to normal (Wilkey, Robin). Marijuana is also known to treat glaucoma. It reduces the intraocular pressure within the eye, by reducing the pain and progress of the condition (Marijuana Policy Project).
From an opponent’s viewpoint, the use of the drug can affect one’s memory, coordination, and learning ability. As teenagers begin using marijuana, it takes effect on their brain, due to the fact that they are still growing and body developing. An issue from Psychopharmacology, “a group of 181 adolescents between the ages of 16 and 20 on their learning and memory skills. Out of this group, cannabis users scored lower on cognitive tests than alcohol users or non-drug users” (How Does Marijuana Affect the Brain?). So if the user of the drug began using it at an early age, their learning ability would be affected. However, the effect on the brain is not long lasting. One must be using marijuana for a long period of time or be taking larger amounts than the average user. So you can consume marijuana and still not get brain damage. Although, there is a temporary overdose of marijuana, which is called “greening out.” The symptoms result in anxiety, nausea, and hangover, but it does not lead to death (New Health Guide). Although marijuana serves medical purposes, it is also less harmful than tobacco. Such as the plant does not contain nicotine unlike tobacco. Tobacco contains nicotine, which makes it addictive and damaging the lungs and respiratory system. From The Verge reports, researchers compared the lethal and normal amount of different types of drugs, such as alcohol, tobacco, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana. They found that marijuana would be classified as “low” rather than “high” for the other drugs (Smith, Chris). From LA Weekly, Dr. Donald Taskin from UCLA has been studying marijuana and its effect on lungs. He states that the smoke from marijuana is similar to the smoke from tobacco, due to the fact of cancer-causing chemicals does damage to the lungs. Dr. Taskin says, “Through my studies, we failed to find any positive association...the association would be negative, between lung cancer and the use of marijuana.” So he concludes that smoking marijuana does not cause lung cancer (Denman-Underhill, Lori). Even though marijuana may be less harmful than tobacco, it still can trigger cancer and has toxins within that may lead to illness. Research studies show that smoking marijuana causes chronic bronchitis, which is mucus becomes inflamed in the lungs. It does that by killing the cells that help remove the bacteria in the lungs. Also it affects the immune system, that fights the disease (Marijuana and Lung Health). Researchers have found that smoke from marijuana contains higher levels of certain toxins than tobacco, such as ammonia and hydrogen cyanide The levels of ammonia were twenty times higher than the tobacco smoke. With three to five times higher of hydrogen cyanide and nitric oxide (Marijuana Smoke). Although, marijuana does not contain nicotine which would make it addictive like tobacco. It also has higher levels of toxins than tobacco and can cause lung damage, but this is only if you abuse the use of marijuana. Such as taking a larger amount than usual, smoking more than the average user, or mixing it with tobacco. Even though marijuana has some disadvantages, it is still less harmful than tobacco. Tobacco increases the chances of lung cancer, contains more toxins, and you tend to smoke more. The legalization of marijuana is friendly to the environment and economy.
If marijuana was legalized and regulated, people would be able to grow it outside on their property, saving energy or electricity and water. Since marijuana is a natural plant, the sun and rain water would still help it grow. Since Colorado was the first state to legalize marijuana in January 2014, it brought in $53 million in tax revenue (Lobosco, Katie). Also it would create job opportunities for people and saves the country money. Like law enforcement, the government would not spend a lot of money on them to regulate marijuana on the streets. But instead focusing more on the deadly drugs like
alcohol. The disadvantages of growing marijuana outdoors, may affect other plantations and wildlife. Such as the pesticides used in the production. It exposes the pesticide to consumers, workers, and the environment. Also the use of a pesticide on a crop that it is not registered to may cause health effects. So if the pesticide is not registered by the EPA, which is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, it is considered illegal (Feldman, Jay). Instead of growing marijuana outdoors, it is mostly grown indoors. That consists of using a lot of energy for the plant to grow successfully in the correct temperature, lighting, and humidity. Some reference examples include one kilogram of marijuana is equivalent to driving across the United States five times or four plants is equivalent to running thirty refrigerators (Schmidt, Rob). While marijuana damages wildlife, plantations, and takes up a lot of energy, people should cultivate marijuana outdoors. Since the pesticides used are not registered with the EPA or may cause harm, they should use fewer pesticides and the workers should be in safe working clothes so they are not exposed. Also since growing marijuana indoors uses a lot of energy, that means more fossil fuels have to be burned and that costs a lot of money. The cost can rise up from the billions to the trillions a year on coal, oil, and natural gas (The High Cost of Fossil Fuels). In conclusion, legalizing marijuana has many benefits that come along with it. It can affect one’s health and the world. Marijuana can be used for medical purposes, beneficial for environment, and the safest drug. It can also bring in money to the United States since they are in debt and owe a lot of money. However, there are different viewpoints, one may agree that marijuana should be legalized for many reasons, while another may disagree.