The Pros And Cons Of Legalizing Marijuana
Mashal Adamjee
Haake
AP English III
9 October 2014
The Crimes of Cannabis Cannabis, commonly known as marijuana, is the dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant that are smoked as a drug. In the states of Washington and Colorado, adults 21 and over are by law allowed to be in possession of up to one ounce of marijuana for any purpose. This creates an easy passageway for marijuana to be obtained by teens and young adults. Although it is said that legalized recreational marijuana has some positive effects on society, it should not be legalized because many signs indicate the overall effects that could take place in the bodies of adolescents could be permanently damaging. “Marijuana has both immediate and long-term effects on a child’s life. …show more content…
“Once inhaled through the lungs and released through the bloodstream, it makes its way to the lungs, brain, and various organs. It contains a hallucinatory ingredient, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol,” also known as THC (B). High concentrations of THC can cause hallucinations and delusions. “Research indicates that THC might damage the immune system” making teens more susceptible to diseases and illnesses (B). Scientists have found parallels between pot smokers and people suffering with “schizophrenia—a chronic disabling brain disorder” (D). Schizophrenics and pot smokers undergo neurological abnormalities that impact information processing, critical thinking skills, and the difficulty to form memories. Evidence also proves that in a minority of kids, weed “can trigger latent mental illnesses like schizophrenia” (A). Similar to smoking tobacco, it can intensify irritation in the lungs and has the possibility to heighten risks of cancer. An estimation of nine percent of all people who smoke pot end up becoming addicted (A). Legalizing marijuana everywhere for recreational use would support the misuse of this drug and lead to severe consequences.”
Decreased crime rate, is the primary argument that proponents of legalizing marijuana use to allow recreational use, however they are overlooking the safety and health concerns that it brings.
While some claim that with the legalization of marijuana, the overall “crime rate is down by 10.1 percent from 2013, while violent crime has decreased by 5.2 percent,” there is still the growing issue of abusing the drug (E). Legalization of marijuana has only been put into action for the past six months, and even though there may be an immediate drop in violence, it does not prove that these effects will be long term. Despite the fact that only a certain amount of marijuana is permitted to be in a one’s possession, people choose to ignore the law and misuse the substance. Though the states of Colorado and Washington have seen a recent “increase in tourism,” as time passes, people residing in the areas permanently will live with an uneasy feeling due to many reckless activities that take place while being on a high (E). Governor John Hickenlooper of Colorado “opposed it from the very beginning” and believes that “Coloradans lacked enough data about health effects in voting for retail pot, and suggested other states should take heed.”
(C). Giving importance to any type of substance is unimportant in comparison to saving someone from going down a perilous path. Marijuana is very popular only because of the profits it makes. Since it has such a high demand, people are willing to pay high prices in order to obtain it, no matter what its effects are. Though it may seem like a harmless substance, the effects of the drug are very prominent. The drug can cause permanent damage to the lungs and inflammation to the respiratory track. Instead of promoting the legalization of a substance that can disrupt the body and its systems, society should concentrate on how cannabis distribution, especially to teens and young adults, needs to be put to a stop in order to preserve the health of our adolescents. With the use of social media, awareness can be formed to showcase how risky the side effects of using marijuana can be.
Work Cited
Bunch, Joey. “Pot, Immigration Trip Up Governor, Senate Candidates in Denver Debates” Denverpost.com. The Denver Post. 6 Oct 2014. 7 Oct 2014.
Hoder, Randye. “Why it’s Still a Big Deal if Your Teen Smokes Pot” CNN.com. Cable News Network. 28 Jan 2014. 4 Oct 2014.
Pietrangelo, Ann. “The Effects of Marijuana on the Body” Healthline.com. Healthline Networks Inc. 19 Aug 2014. 5 Oct 2014.
Rucke, Katie. “Six Months In, How Has Marijuana Legalization Treated Colorado?” Mintpressnews.com. Mint Press, LLC. 30 June 2014. 5 Oct 2014.
Sheff, David. “Marijuana Should Be Legal, but…” Time.com. Time Inc. 4 Aug 2014. 4 Oct 2014.
Haake
AP English III
9 October 2014
The Crimes of Cannabis Cannabis, commonly known as marijuana, is the dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant that are smoked as a drug. In the states of Washington and Colorado, adults 21 and over are by law allowed to be in possession of up to one ounce of marijuana for any purpose. This creates an easy passageway for marijuana to be obtained by teens and young adults. Although it is said that legalized recreational marijuana has some positive effects on society, it should not be legalized because many signs indicate the overall effects that could take place in the bodies of adolescents could be permanently damaging. “Marijuana has both immediate and long-term effects on a child’s life. …show more content…
“Once inhaled through the lungs and released through the bloodstream, it makes its way to the lungs, brain, and various organs. It contains a hallucinatory ingredient, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol,” also known as THC (B). High concentrations of THC can cause hallucinations and delusions. “Research indicates that THC might damage the immune system” making teens more susceptible to diseases and illnesses (B). Scientists have found parallels between pot smokers and people suffering with “schizophrenia—a chronic disabling brain disorder” (D). Schizophrenics and pot smokers undergo neurological abnormalities that impact information processing, critical thinking skills, and the difficulty to form memories. Evidence also proves that in a minority of kids, weed “can trigger latent mental illnesses like schizophrenia” (A). Similar to smoking tobacco, it can intensify irritation in the lungs and has the possibility to heighten risks of cancer. An estimation of nine percent of all people who smoke pot end up becoming addicted (A). Legalizing marijuana everywhere for recreational use would support the misuse of this drug and lead to severe consequences.”
Decreased crime rate, is the primary argument that proponents of legalizing marijuana use to allow recreational use, however they are overlooking the safety and health concerns that it brings.
While some claim that with the legalization of marijuana, the overall “crime rate is down by 10.1 percent from 2013, while violent crime has decreased by 5.2 percent,” there is still the growing issue of abusing the drug (E). Legalization of marijuana has only been put into action for the past six months, and even though there may be an immediate drop in violence, it does not prove that these effects will be long term. Despite the fact that only a certain amount of marijuana is permitted to be in a one’s possession, people choose to ignore the law and misuse the substance. Though the states of Colorado and Washington have seen a recent “increase in tourism,” as time passes, people residing in the areas permanently will live with an uneasy feeling due to many reckless activities that take place while being on a high (E). Governor John Hickenlooper of Colorado “opposed it from the very beginning” and believes that “Coloradans lacked enough data about health effects in voting for retail pot, and suggested other states should take heed.”
(C). Giving importance to any type of substance is unimportant in comparison to saving someone from going down a perilous path. Marijuana is very popular only because of the profits it makes. Since it has such a high demand, people are willing to pay high prices in order to obtain it, no matter what its effects are. Though it may seem like a harmless substance, the effects of the drug are very prominent. The drug can cause permanent damage to the lungs and inflammation to the respiratory track. Instead of promoting the legalization of a substance that can disrupt the body and its systems, society should concentrate on how cannabis distribution, especially to teens and young adults, needs to be put to a stop in order to preserve the health of our adolescents. With the use of social media, awareness can be formed to showcase how risky the side effects of using marijuana can be.
Work Cited
Bunch, Joey. “Pot, Immigration Trip Up Governor, Senate Candidates in Denver Debates” Denverpost.com. The Denver Post. 6 Oct 2014. 7 Oct 2014.
Hoder, Randye. “Why it’s Still a Big Deal if Your Teen Smokes Pot” CNN.com. Cable News Network. 28 Jan 2014. 4 Oct 2014.
Pietrangelo, Ann. “The Effects of Marijuana on the Body” Healthline.com. Healthline Networks Inc. 19 Aug 2014. 5 Oct 2014.
Rucke, Katie. “Six Months In, How Has Marijuana Legalization Treated Colorado?” Mintpressnews.com. Mint Press, LLC. 30 June 2014. 5 Oct 2014.
Sheff, David. “Marijuana Should Be Legal, but…” Time.com. Time Inc. 4 Aug 2014. 4 Oct 2014.