Marijuana is a type of plant that grows ordinarily just as any other plant. Although it is literally viewed as an ordinary plant, many view it as extra ordinary due to the complications attached with it. Marijuana is an important and essential plant if properly used, but can be harmful if misused. For instance, it has several medicinal values.
Despite the good outcomes of this plant, many view it as an illegal drug because of its abuse mostly by the younger generation (Finley, 2008). Most people use the drug as a stimulant without knowing the effects it has on the brain cells. This is because it produces sensory effects, which have psychoactive effects on the brain cells of the users.
The uptake of marijuana has been on rise in the past years. The government and social media reports evidence this. In different eras, many of the supporters of illegalizing the use of the drug have exaggerated its dangers. Government policies have been greatly influenced by scientific research accorded to marijuana in the recent past.
This is evidenced by the creation of criminal penalties for marijuana offences by various countries. States have also expanded the funding of scientific researches concerning the drug. This has been enhanced through the creation of institutions such as National Institution on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
The main aim of creating these institutions is to evaluate the impact and the effects of marijuana on the abusers and on the environment. This is because of the different views by different scientific research institutions on the drug. The main issues discussed about marijuana are the effects it has on the brain, cells, reproduction system, lungs, and immune system of its users. Its impact on the development of a nation and its addictive potential has also been discussed.
Due to the political influence on these institutions, the results obtained are relatively biased as they suggest that the drug is relatively safe and does not create serious harm on the society. However, this depends on contents taken, which vary from one individual to another, as well as the methodologies used to achieve the results.
The issue on the effects of marijuana has been highly politicized. According to government research institutions, for instance National Institution of Drug Abuse (NIDA), the findings of their research showed that the drug is relatively safe and unlikely to cause serious harm on its users.
According to other independent research institutions, these results were termed as politicized, thus not reliable. This is because the use of marijuana has been on the rise at an alarming rate over the past years (Hans, 2000). According to government surveys, the results had showed that the use of the drug began decreasing in 1980 as compared to 1970s. Similar results were made in 1990. These results cannot be relied upon because the use of marijuana has been increasing consistently over the years.
The use of marijuana has many adverse effects especially among the youth worldwide. This has had an impact on the social cultural welfare of the society. The victims of the circumstances are the younger generation aging between 12 to 25 years. This is due to peer influence and peer pressure. Although most adolescent drug users do not go on to become drug abusers, a good number of them become addicts after some time.
It is worth noticing that most of the young people are introduced to the drug while in school (Hans, 2000). The media have also attributed the recent increase. The introduction of advanced technology has also contributed to the rise. The ignorance of the society to address this issue has also led to the increase. The society needs to educate the young generation on the effects of marijuana so as they can make informed decisions on the drug.
Generally, as earlier stated, marijuana consumption has various effects on the society. Among these are economic consequences. The consumption of this drug is considered unhealthy and confers financial burden on society. From the research, most of the persons who take marijuana are unemployed. The question is where they get money to buy these drugs. The answer is obvious. Most of their finances come from their parents, relatives, and friends among other people in the society.
This imposes financial burden to the society. Producers of this drug also tend to pay a high social and political price for short-term economic gains. Since it is illegal to operate on such business, a state is unable to impose tax on such businesses. As a result of this, the government, and the society does not benefit from the trade (Finley, 2008).The various diseases attributed from the uptake of this drug also have a negative impact on the economy. This is because of huge amounts of money involved in the treatment of the diseases.
The government spends a lot in financing medical research institutions in research for antibiotics to counter the diseases caused by uptake of the drug. All these lead to economical instability of a country because the funds that could have otherwise been used in developing the country are used for medication. Although is it urged that the business is beneficial to farmers who depend on growing of marijuana, the disadvantages outweigh the benefits.
Marijuana addicts are considered to have a low working capacity. This has a huge negative impact on a country’s economy especially where the country depends highly on young people for labor (Finley, 2008). Researches show that the links between low productivity and accidents are associated with the uptake of marijuana. The substance abusers in the work force impose significant extra costs on the business sector thus reducing its competitiveness.
Societies find it difficult to advance if they have to rely on a workforce that is impaired by large-scale marijuana abusers. This is because jobs require a high level of judgment and constant attention, which requires a sober mind. Marijuana addicts lack these features as their brain cells are disrupted by the drug.
The more the society becomes vulnerable to the drug substance the higher the costs (Finley, 2008). Based on estimates by the United States Department of Labor in the mid-1990s, the studies suggest that marijuana use in workplace may cost American businesses and industries between $75billion and $100 billion annually.
Marijuana taking also has negative social impacts on the society. Most of the issues are relevant to the relationship between the substance abuser and the family and community. Research shows that the substance abuser causes more harm to the family interrelationships than the effects of poverty attached on his family (Finley, 2008).
However, the substance abuse can also strain family relationships and ultimately making families dysfunctional thus transforming families from an asset of society to a burden. Although families have a great influence in imposing good morals to their children thus preventing substance abuse, peer pressure often proves to have an even stronger influence. It has been observed that parental irresponsibility on their children to educate them on good morals leads to the usage.
The family of the victim suffers emotionally in efforts to stop the victim from the vice (Finley, 2008). A marijuana abuser puts his or her health at risk. This is because they are likely to suffer from brain cancer, lung diseases, sympathetic over-activity, hypertension, hyperthermia, cardiac arrhythmias, delusions, and allusions.
A marijuana abuser is also likely to cause negative impacts on education (Hans, 2000). Schoolchildren who use this drug often suffer from impairment of short team memory and other intellectual faculties thus having a poor class performance. Abuse of marijuana also has a negative impact on the environment as it leads to crime, corruption, and dangers for civil society.
In conclusion, the present studies show that the abuse of marijuana causes adverse economic, social cultural and political effects (Hans, 2000). While there is need for a clear assessment of the cost effectiveness of public policy measures, and the optimal allocation of public resources, marijuana production should be limited.
This is evident on the economical, political, and social consequences attributable to its abuse. As such, the most important thing is for the governments to weigh the benefits and effects that come in hand with the production and use of marijuana in their nations to determine the legalization or prohibition of marijuana.
Reference List
Hans, T. (2000). Growing marijuana hydroponically. Oakland, CA: Ronin Pub.
Hans, T. (2000). Indoor marijuana horticulture: The medical, legal, cultivation encyclopedia for 2001 and beyond. United States of America: The Author.
Finley, L. (2008). Hawking hits on the information highway: The challenge of online drug sales for law enforcement. New York: Peter Lang.