There's Something About Marijuana

There is an ongoing debate about the beneficialof its medical "benefits" may come up once more for
properties of Marijuana and its effects on the user.the terminally ill, yet marijuana still hasn't been proven to
However, still mainly considered an illegal substance incure anything. Drugs don't cure! The most they can do
most countries, many citizens are beginning to questionis attenuate the symptoms of the illness. The body's
this prohibition and its effectiveness. It is overlyimmune system, notably the white blood cells, is
common these days to hear of the continuous effortsresponsible for fighting the disease. 3Furthermore, it
put forth to aid the "war on drugs," be it on the newshas been proven by a study conducted by a Columbia
broadcast or the local newspapers. Yet the debate onUniversity that a control group smoking a single
the legalization of Marijuana has never really ended,marijuana cigarette every other day for a year had a
but is often merely overlooked. 1In the United States ofwhite-blood-cell count that was 39 percent lower than
America alone, more that 36 states have legalizednormal, thus damaging the immune system and making
Marijuana, when it is prescribed by a doctor to athe user far more susceptible to infection and sickness.
patient affected with harmful side effects of cancerRight there, we can clearly realize how Marijuana is
chemotherapy, glaucoma, AIDS and various incurablenot a "harmless" drug. Its immediate effects may be
and debilitating illnesses. So what position should beappealing to many, but in the long run, the health
taken against this so-called "war on drugs"?problems and illnesses that will result from a regular
A drug is a drug. Whatever some might say aboutuse of Marijuana outweigh the "appealing" ones.
Marijuana, the truth is that it still is a type of drug, whichThe results from the increased media coverage and
affects both body and mind. Several side effectsdebates on Marijuana legalization have led today's
should be considered worrisome, especially for thoseyouths and teenagers to believe that Marijuana is a
who smoke it regularly. Some of the recognizable sidesafe and carefree drug to use. This is particularly
effects of marijuana include:alarming for a decrease in their vigilance and
-Memory lossawareness of drugs may lead to greater problems. 3In
-Distorted perceptionthe U.S.A. alone, there is a significant increase in the
-Trouble with thinking and problem solvingnumber of teenagers seeking treatment for a
-Loss of motor skillsMarijuana addiction. Marijuana reduces their ability to
-Decrease in muscle strengthconcentrate on their studies, and damages their
-Increased heart ratememory, thus reducing their academic capabilities. The
-Anxietyyouth and teenagers seem to be fed the wrong type
Nevertheless, some groups pushing the legalization ofof information, and need to be informed on the "other
Marijuana promote its "beneficial" effects, referring toside of the medal," specifically how their future projects
both medical and personal use. 2Some commonand ambitions may be rapidly put to a stop due to their
claims made are: Marijuana will create pacifism anduse of Marijuana during their prime years.
reduce the stress level in our lives, legalizing it willOverall, Marijuana isn't the most dangerous drug, but it
decrease the crime rate and eliminate the need of astill has no proven medical evidence of aiding in the
black market, marijuana has medicinal values, and thatcure of illnesses. Therefore, one can't say that it is
no one ever died from smoking Marijuana. No onebeneficial, for it is wrong. One can't say that it is
ever died from smoking Marijuana. Scientific studiesharmless, for it contains hundreds of cancer-related
have shown some shocking evidence of the seriouschemicals. One can't claim that it will reduce the profits
health problems a regular Marijuana smoker maymade by the black market, for we can't predict the
encounter: 3"Marijuana contains more than 400effects legalization shall have. So, why is there still a
chemicals, including most of the harmful substancesdebate on Marijuana? The evidence is crystal clear,
found in tobacco smoke. Smoking one marijuanathe doctors aren't convinced of its medicinal properties,
cigarette deposits about four times more tar into theand most of all, it is a DRUG. The facts are simply
lungs than a filtered tobacco cigarette." 3"There aremounting everyday: the consumption of Marijuana
also many long-term health consequences ofbrings about more harm to one's health than any
marijuana use. According to the National Institutes ofbenefits it could ever provide. Drugs, particularly
Health, studies show that someone who smokes fiveexcessive use of Marijuana, have this unconditional
joints per week may be taking in as manypower to continually diminish mental and physical
cancer-causing chemicals as someone who smokes aabilities. Be above the influence, you can make an
full pack of cigarettes every day."educated decision and refuse to consume any
Evidence that Marijuana seriously affects the wellMarijuana or its by-products.
functioning of our bodies is simply piling. The argument