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Marijuana V. Alcohol

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Marijuana V. Alcohol
Marijuana v. Alcohol Grass. Ganja. Kush. Weed. Pot. Mary Jane. Marijuana. Marijuana is an illegal substance in America, used by people to get “high.” It has become a recent debate over whether it is right to legalize marijuana or to keep it as an illegal substance. Many people believe that marijuana is a dangerous substance that should never be legalized in America. These people focus on marijuana which is harmless in comparison to alcohol, which is a legal and widely used substance in America. The negative of effects of marijuana are less severe then those of alcohol. The case for the legalization of marijuana can be made by comparing and contrasting the effects on the body of marijuana and alcohol use. Marijuana is used in a similar fashion that alcohol is used, as a recreational social activity. The occasional drink or smoke won’t affect a person’s body, but heavy use does affect the body. Marijuana and alcohol share some health effects. Both marijuana and alcohol affect the cognitive abilities of the brain during use, and affect the coordination and motor skills of the user. Marijuana has negligible long term effects when compared to alcohol. Alcohol when consumed destroys irreplaceable cells in the brain. Alcohol in high doses causes cirrhoses of the liver which decreases the functioning abilities of the liver which increases the risks of other diseases such as hepatitis. One of the positive effects of marijuana is its medical capabilities. The sensation referred to as the “munchies” is a common side effect of marijuana that is used to promote eating for people suffering from anorexia. The chemical tetrahydrocannabinol. THC, can help control nausea, depression, and spasticity. Many opponents to medical cannabis say that if medical marijuana should be legal it should be approved by the Federal Drug Administration, FDA, but the FDA already approved a drug, Marinol, that uses a synthetic version of THC, and drug companies will not spend money on a product


Cited: Albert S. Whiting. "Alcohol Use Is Harmful." Opposing Viewpoints: Gateway Drugs.  Noël Merino. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2008. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. JAMES ROBINSON JR SECONDARY SCHOOL. 7 Apr. 2011  http://find.galegroup.com/gps/start.do?prodId=IPS&userGroupName=jwrobinson_e Benson , John, Stanley Watson, and Janet Joy.Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base. The National Academic Press, 1999. 109. eBook. Gerber, Rudolph J.. "Beneficial Effects of Marijuana as a Medical Prescription." Contemporary Issues Companion: Marijuana.  Joseph Tardiff. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2008. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. JAMES ROBINSON JR SECONDARY SCHOOL. 7 Apr. 2011  http://find.galegroup.com/gps/start.do?prodId=IPS&userGroupName=jwrobinson_e NIDA InfoFacts: Drug-Related Hospital Emergency Room Visits." www.nida.nih.gov. National Institute on Drug Abuse, 08/2010. Web. 24 Apr 2011. Office of National Drug Control Policy. "Marijuana Use Has Many Harmful Effects." Opposing Viewpoints: Gateway Drugs.  Noël Merino. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2008. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. JAMES ROBINSON JR SECONDARY SCHOOL. 7 Apr. 2011 http://find.galegroup.com/gps/start.do?prodId=IPS&userGroupName=jwrobinson_e NIDA InfoFacts: Drug-Related Hospital Emergency Room Visits." www.nida.nih.gov. National Institute on Drug Abuse, 08/2010. Web. 24 Apr 2011.
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