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