| There is an ongoing debate about the beneficial | | | | of 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 in | | | | cure anything. Drugs don't cure! The most they can do |
| most countries, many citizens are beginning to question | | | | is attenuate the symptoms of the illness. The body's |
| this prohibition and its effectiveness. It is overly | | | | immune system, notably the white blood cells, is |
| common these days to hear of the continuous efforts | | | | responsible for fighting the disease. 3Furthermore, it |
| put forth to aid the "war on drugs," be it on the news | | | | has been proven by a study conducted by a Columbia |
| broadcast or the local newspapers. Yet the debate on | | | | University 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 of | | | | white-blood-cell count that was 39 percent lower than |
| America alone, more that 36 states have legalized | | | | normal, thus damaging the immune system and making |
| Marijuana, when it is prescribed by a doctor to a | | | | the user far more susceptible to infection and sickness. |
| patient affected with harmful side effects of cancer | | | | Right there, we can clearly realize how Marijuana is |
| chemotherapy, glaucoma, AIDS and various incurable | | | | not a "harmless" drug. Its immediate effects may be |
| and debilitating illnesses. So what position should be | | | | appealing 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 about | | | | use of Marijuana outweigh the "appealing" ones. |
| Marijuana, the truth is that it still is a type of drug, which | | | | The results from the increased media coverage and |
| affects both body and mind. Several side effects | | | | debates on Marijuana legalization have led today's |
| should be considered worrisome, especially for those | | | | youths and teenagers to believe that Marijuana is a |
| who smoke it regularly. Some of the recognizable side | | | | safe and carefree drug to use. This is particularly |
| effects of marijuana include: | | | | alarming for a decrease in their vigilance and |
| -Memory loss | | | | awareness of drugs may lead to greater problems. 3In |
| -Distorted perception | | | | the U.S.A. alone, there is a significant increase in the |
| -Trouble with thinking and problem solving | | | | number of teenagers seeking treatment for a |
| -Loss of motor skills | | | | Marijuana addiction. Marijuana reduces their ability to |
| -Decrease in muscle strength | | | | concentrate on their studies, and damages their |
| -Increased heart rate | | | | memory, thus reducing their academic capabilities. The |
| -Anxiety | | | | youth and teenagers seem to be fed the wrong type |
| Nevertheless, some groups pushing the legalization of | | | | of information, and need to be informed on the "other |
| Marijuana promote its "beneficial" effects, referring to | | | | side of the medal," specifically how their future projects |
| both medical and personal use. 2Some common | | | | and ambitions may be rapidly put to a stop due to their |
| claims made are: Marijuana will create pacifism and | | | | use of Marijuana during their prime years. |
| reduce the stress level in our lives, legalizing it will | | | | Overall, Marijuana isn't the most dangerous drug, but it |
| decrease the crime rate and eliminate the need of a | | | | still has no proven medical evidence of aiding in the |
| black market, marijuana has medicinal values, and that | | | | cure of illnesses. Therefore, one can't say that it is |
| no one ever died from smoking Marijuana. No one | | | | beneficial, for it is wrong. One can't say that it is |
| ever died from smoking Marijuana. Scientific studies | | | | harmless, for it contains hundreds of cancer-related |
| have shown some shocking evidence of the serious | | | | chemicals. One can't claim that it will reduce the profits |
| health problems a regular Marijuana smoker may | | | | made by the black market, for we can't predict the |
| encounter: 3"Marijuana contains more than 400 | | | | effects legalization shall have. So, why is there still a |
| chemicals, including most of the harmful substances | | | | debate on Marijuana? The evidence is crystal clear, |
| found in tobacco smoke. Smoking one marijuana | | | | the doctors aren't convinced of its medicinal properties, |
| cigarette deposits about four times more tar into the | | | | and most of all, it is a DRUG. The facts are simply |
| lungs than a filtered tobacco cigarette." 3"There are | | | | mounting everyday: the consumption of Marijuana |
| also many long-term health consequences of | | | | brings about more harm to one's health than any |
| marijuana use. According to the National Institutes of | | | | benefits it could ever provide. Drugs, particularly |
| Health, studies show that someone who smokes five | | | | excessive use of Marijuana, have this unconditional |
| joints per week may be taking in as many | | | | power to continually diminish mental and physical |
| cancer-causing chemicals as someone who smokes a | | | | abilities. 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 well | | | | Marijuana or its by-products. |
| functioning of our bodies is simply piling. The argument | | | | |