Cannabis is considered to be one of the most widely consumed prohibited drugs in the U.S.A, especially among young people. Every year the quantity of middle and high school undergraduates using marijuana increases while the awareness about the health damage of cannabis deteriorates promptly at the same time.
In this essay, we will establish the nature of this illicit drug, the history of its usage in the United States and list the harm that marijuana causes. After observing all mentioned above, we can conclude whether marijuana should not be legalized.
The origin and history of marijuana
Marijuana is the term used to represent the dehydrated flowers of the Indian hemp plant mostly. It is essentially used in medicine for its recreational purposes; however, it could be put to use in some spiritual rituals or for the achievement of psychoactive effect. Cannabis has been used as a substitute for obtaining psychotic effects for centuries now; it was defined in Chinese medical research, which is dated from 2737 BC.
After being born in China, this herb went to India, fled to Northern Africa and finally came to Europe almost 3000 years later. The chemical in cannabis responsible for its euphoria effect is called THC, which stands for tetrahydrocannabinol.
This can be called the main feature of marijuana, and it is only one of the 483 known cannabis components. Aside from few doubtful positive reactions (relaxation, good mood and heighten appetite), THC has some major side effects: red eyes, anxiety, dry mouth, a decrease of short-term memory, and more.
According to surveys, marijuana is one of the most used illegal drugs throughout the USA and is mostly consumed by young people from 15 to 35 years old. Also, a quantity of youngsters thinking that marijuana is risky decreases every year.
However, due to its medicinal purposes or adult recreational use cannabis becomes legal in a growing number of countries. As predicted, the legalization of marijuana in several states has led to an increase of marijuana abuse among youngsters
The effects of marijuana
Studies have shown a pattern of the use of cannabis and risky behavior of the individuals. It is essential to mention short- and long-term affections on a human body is speaking about the adverse effects of marijuana. Abusive use of marijuana can cause immune system suppression, mood and personality changes, a decrease in libido and even study difficulties (Lane 803).
For instance, research has demonstrated that undergraduate students who started consuming cannabis heavily in their teenage years and had a continuous marijuana use disorder lost a moderate of eight IQ points between ages 13 and 38 (Meier 2658). As a result, the vanished mental capabilities were not able to fully recover even if a person stopped using marijuana in adulthood.
On the contrary, the IQ of the individuals who began the use of cannabis in adulthood has not declined significantly. Short-term effects are anxiety, increased heartbeat, poor coordination and reaction (Gebler 16). These results are achieved during minutes after smoking cannabis. The chemical THC spreads from lungs directly into the blood, where it is carried to the brain and other substantial organs.
The negative effect can be slowed down by using the drug in food or beverages; however, the impact is still inevitable. Tetrahydrocannabinol alters the work of particular brain cell receptors, as they respond to essential chemicals that have almost the same consistency as THC. As these chemicals influence the common brain advancement and operation, cannabis smoking slows down these processes.
Legalization of marijuana
Despite some common assumptions, cannabis can be habit-forming. Studies show that 6 out of 11 users of marijuana become addicted and, therefore, have difficulties refusing this drug (Lopez-Quintero, Pérez de los Cobos, and Hasin 122). Going to a group therapy can be helpful for those who are struggling with addiction.
The medicinal purpose of marijuana is disputed because of its primary side effects that have a negative impact on the organism. Nevertheless, one of the few uses of cannabis is a treatment of chemotherapy side effects, such as nausea and vomiting. Also, it appears to increase appetite in HIV/AIDS patients, treat muscle spasms and chronic pain.
Several states try to legalize marijuana; however, many proceed without any success. “In 2012, proponents of marijuana legalization gathered enough signatures to place an amendment to the Colorado Constitution on the statewide ballot” (Blake and Finlaw 1).
The proposed project was widely known as Amendment 64; nevertheless, the name of the project that was given to it initially was ‘The Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol Act of 2012’. The initiated measure, nevertheless, didn’t receive the support of the opposition. The medicinal utilization of cannabis requires the existence of certain laws, which vary broadly in different states.
“Marijuana is not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat any medical condition” (Thompson 2508). There are almost close to none studies that prove cannabis to be a harmless and efficient drug. However, medical programs that allow small amounts of marijuana become more and more popular not only in the USA but throughout the world. Although many do not believe in the positive effects of this drug, self-treatment and, therefore, common legalization is unacceptable.
Works Cited
Blake, David and Jack Finlaw. “Marijuana Legalization in Colorado: Learned Lessons.” Harvard Law & Policy Review 8.2 (2014): 1. Print.
Gebler, Samantha. “Health Effects of Marijuana.” Journal of Psychosocial Nursing & Mental Health Services 53.2 (2015): 16-17. Print.
Lane, Scott. “Acute Marijuana Effects on Human Risk Taking.” Neuropsychopharmacology 30.4 (2005): 800-809. Print.
Lopez-Quintero, Catalina, Jose Pérez de los Cobos, and Deborah Hasin. “Probability and Predictors of Transition from First Use to Dependence on Nicotine, Alcohol, Cannabis, and Cocaine: Results of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC).” Drug Alcohol Depend 115.1 (2011): 120-130. Print.
Meier, Madeline. “Persistent Cannabis Users Show Neuropsychological Decline from Childhood to Midlife.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 109.40 (2012): 2657–2664. Web.
Thompson, Amy. “Medical Marijuana.” Journal of the American Medical Association 313.24 (2015): 2508-2509. Print.