Professional Documents
Culture Documents
English 2010
Brandon Alva
Oh Marijuana. The topic about Miss, Mary Jane seems to never get old doesnt it? Its
all that everyone talks about nowadays! Well majority of us, I assume. I know that many of us
are very irritated and fatigued concerning this matter of whether its good or bad, the pros and
cons, etc. With a very debatable topic that tends to linger on at the surface of the earth, I find
that marijuana is an interesting subject and is also one of the main concerns in our country today.
There are many facts of how this cannabis plant can benefit us individually but with a good thing
there are also negative effects that come along with it. So I decided to research this popular
flower that is known to contain its own power and here is what I found.
In the article, 23 Health Benefits of Marijuana, written by Jennifer Loria and Kevin
Welsh discusses how many states around the country have legalized medical marijuana and how
experts are changing their minds about the drug as well. A main concern of why individuals may
want to legalize this plant is for medical purposes. There are doctors who believe that marijuana
can help reduce and ease pain type like feelings associated with numerous diseases as well. Help
treating muscle spasms, nausea from cancer/chemo, seizures, assisting people with weight loss
and improving their appetite. For some reason this plant provides its own source of magical
With the support of marijuana occurring, it can be a first step in leading us to a growing
economy. Hunter Stuart talks numbers and about how this drug can assist in building an
economy creating a significant change in our society. In the article, If You Support Legal
Marijuana, displays the amount of what the legal marijuana market was worth in 2013 at $1.53
billion and how in about five years it will increase to around $10.2 billion. Tax revenue being
collected will have such an enormous outcome from legalizing marijuana. It would help us raise
millions by taxing it which assist us in construction, public schools, health care, natural resource,
law enforcement, etc. All goods divided into helping our society. Of course, allowing this drug
to become legal must be apprehended with regulations for the controlled substance. Well for
one, we can maintain and control the substance from getting out of hand or into the wrong hands
of minors. There have been studies that once there has been an act on legalizing marijuana it has
been harder for the youths and minors to get their hands on the substance. For years there has
been federal surveys finding that marijuana has been universally available to the young
society, making it easier to purchase or have access than alcohol. If we want to make it harder
for minors to have access to marijuana, we must take the sales off the streets where dealers dont
ID and put them in stores, behind counters where proof of age is required. By taking things into
action, not only is it important to support our youths but removing it from the underground,
criminal markets that have empowering gangs selling the substance on the streets. There will be
a change. Maybe not completely free of the crimes, but definitely reducing them to a standard
Have you ever thought of why alcohol and cigarettes are even legal? I ask that question
all the time and have always wondered why that was. Joe Brownstein wrote an article,
"Marijuana vs. Alcohol vs. Tobacco: Which Is Really Worse for Your Health? Breaking down
specific facts of each of the drug. There has been studies about marijuana being safer than
cigarettes and alcohol, and both of those two matter substances are legal in the country. Alcohol
and tobacco are far more addictive, more toxic, and more harmful to the human body. We all
know how dangerous alcohol and tobacco can attribute. Smoking cigarettes and tobacco is
associated with an increased risk of developing lung cancer. Cigarette smokers usually smoke
more cigarettes a day than marijuana users, not mentioning that cigarettes also contain about
4,000 chemicals, there are surveys that claim health related cost are 40 times greater in tobacco
use than in marijuana consumer. Alcohol can lead to addiction as well as taking a toll onto the
body. There are also both short and long term health effects when it comes to drinking leading to
liver disease and if consumed enough, even death. Drinking can also lead to a lot of domestic
violent aggression being fueled by alcohol, and many die or are injured from alcohol related
accidents associated with driving under the influence, damaging relationships with friends and
family, etc. Brownstein also brought up a quote from former President Obama, whos smoked
pot and cigarettes before in his life, said that the two arent too different from each other, said I
don't think it is more dangerous than alcohol." (Obama). But both alcohol and tobacco with
use can become problematic for some people, but just as excessive use of any products such as
food, sex, etc. Article, What Is This Debate Over Medical Marijuana? the author Angela
Morrow goes over the pros and cons of the cannabis drug. As listed in some of the articles
before of how marijuana can become beneficiary in the medical field. Just being able to help
treat and relieve certain types of pain that is caused. It can be safe, well safer in fact than most
other prescribed medications that is used to treat some of the same symptoms. But there is a
downfall of using marijuana. Like any drug, this one carries a risk of abuse and addiction which
is a major concern. As many have said, it only takes one, to become addicted and just trying it
may sound innocent, but can lead you down a spiral life involving consequences when intaking
the drug. It may not be as harsh as tobacco, but inhaling marijuana and anything that involves
smoke, can cause you to have serious damage to the lung tissue.
Reading the article, Legalizing Recreational Marijuana, it explains about how with the
excessive use of the drug, it can become very problematic. Becoming high can cause you to
have an experience that alters the way you perceive things when being under the influence. DUI
can happen when being under the influence of marijuana because of it distorting timing and
perception triggering your risk of having a car accident causing harm, injuries, and even death
for others or yourself. Marijuana is also known as the gateway drug becoming the potential
drug to introduce users to more serious illegal substances such as LSD, cocaine, heroin, etc.
While marijuana use and dependence isnt life threatening, said Shawn Radcliff from
his article, "Marijuana Legalization: The Experts Weigh In, there may result in serious adverse
relationships with loved ones. Adverse effects in the cognitive brain can be life threatening.
Especially with young teen adolescents trying the substance at an early age, negative effects
occur in the brain being not yet fully developed all the way creating problems in the near future.
Too much of a good thing can be bad and there are negative consequences that many
individuals and maybe even current users arent aware of. Researching from Volkow, Nora D.
"Letter From the Director, NIDA report list con effects towards the drug. With marijuana
impairing short term memory and judgment affecting the brain system creating long lasting
effects risking individual users putting them at a competitive disadvantage interfering with their
well being in a sense. Problems lead to addiction and abuse of the substance which is very
terrifying knowing that something so small can have such a huge affect on ones life.
With some of the facts that were discussed in this essay, we can understand of how much
of an impact it can cause individuals in life. With it benefiting the medical field in many ways
and leading us to a growing economy, there may be a downfall that comes with something that
seems too good to be true. Generating a negative toll for your body and mind and leaving users
at a disadvantage when there is excessive use leading to addiction and abuse. With some
regulations and moderate use at an appropriate circumstance, youll find balance, and balance is
key.
Work Cites
Brownstein, Joe. "Marijuana vs. Alcohol vs. Tobacco: Which Is Really Worse for Your Health?"
Stimson, Cully. "7 Harmful Side Effects Pot Legalization Has Caused in Colorado." The Daily.
Loria, Jennifer Welsh and Kevin. "23 Health Benefits Of Marijuana." Business Insider.
Morrow, RN Angela. "What is the Debate Over Medical Marijuana?" Verywell. N.p
Radcliffe, Shawn. "Marijuana Legalization: The Experts Weigh In." Healthline. Healthline