There are millions of people that pray for medical marijuana to become readily available in the United States, but those people are unaware of the true disadvantages cannabis would bring. Though marijuana may work for some, most Americans would not benefit from the legalization of medical marijuana, and patients who would be able to use cannabis would be better off sticking to the prescriptions their doctors prescribe despite any alarming side effects. Despite being able to help a few thousand, the legalization of medical marijuana would only cause the country and its people to suffer more.
Marijuana is the dried-up leaves, stems, flowers and seeds of the hemp plant; this plant contains a chemical labelled as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is what causes the many effects of this drug. Shortly after smoking, ingesting, or inhaling it users begin to feel the short-term effects of cannabis, this includes: euphoria, appetite stimulation, altered senses, changes in mood, impaired memory and cognition, difficulty with thinking and problem-solving, impaired body movement, and an altered sense of time (Marijuana). These symptoms, though minor, are significant enough to cause major issues in the lives of frequent users. Today, there are 25 states in the U.S. that have medical marijuana legalized to help those with certain needs and conditions. Many people consider cannabis to be a safe alternative to the drugs available to the public now, but that is not necessarily the case. Research has proven that marijuana is not a consistent enough drug to be able to replace the drugs on the market now due to the inability to prove that marijuana can benefit everyone. Despite the few cases of complete success, the benefits have yet to outweigh the risks in this situation. Out of the 58% of Americans support the legalization of marijuana, most of these people believe that marijuana is an extremely safe drug compared to those we are prescribed every day. When it comes to death marijuana has proved to be safer than 17 FDA approved drugs on the market today. Between the beginning of 1997 and the middle of 2005 only 279 people died with marijuana in their system where 11,687 died with FDA approved drugs in their system. While almost 300 is a lot of deaths they were not directly caused by marijuana, where 10,008 deaths were directly a result of the drugs approved by the FDA (Deaths from Marijuana). Studies have also proved that after the legalization of marijuana there was a 25% decrease in deaths cause by opiate overdose (Greenwell GT). Marijuana has also proven to reduce pain in several chronic pain conditions as well as help glaucoma, M.S, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, and many other patients in the medical field. Despite many misconceptions, marijuana is a drug with a significant amount of risks and side effects associated with it. Cannabis can cause harm, addiction, and death just as any other illegal drug can. Based on a study among 1,500 adults, 53% believed that marijuana provided medicinal benefits, benefitted the government through regulation, and that it provided a drug not as dangerous as others (Jones). Though some of this may …show more content…
Alcohol and cannabis target different parts of your body, but over time the effects are similar. If consumed during adolescence both substances can cause neurological deficiencies, but what is different is marijuana tends to alter the cardiovascular system in ways that could cause serious heart disease, where alcohol tends to destroy your liver while sometimes lowering blood pressure which prevents heart disease. The most similar way these two drugs connect is when it comes to operating a vehicle. In 2010 over 10 million people, ages 12 and older, admitted to driving under the influence of some drug; this means that those drivers experienced lane weaving, reduced response time, and altered attention to the road that not only causes self-endangerment but also endangers others (Drugged Driving). Legalizing marijuana directly affects the amount of teen drivers driving under the influence, because in states where medical marijuana is legal, teen users is higher than those in states where it is not legal; 12 of the 21% of teens who drive under the influence are influenced by marijuana and not of alcohol
Marijuana is the dried-up leaves, stems, flowers and seeds of the hemp plant; this plant contains a chemical labelled as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is what causes the many effects of this drug. Shortly after smoking, ingesting, or inhaling it users begin to feel the short-term effects of cannabis, this includes: euphoria, appetite stimulation, altered senses, changes in mood, impaired memory and cognition, difficulty with thinking and problem-solving, impaired body movement, and an altered sense of time (Marijuana). These symptoms, though minor, are significant enough to cause major issues in the lives of frequent users. Today, there are 25 states in the U.S. that have medical marijuana legalized to help those with certain needs and conditions. Many people consider cannabis to be a safe alternative to the drugs available to the public now, but that is not necessarily the case. Research has proven that marijuana is not a consistent enough drug to be able to replace the drugs on the market now due to the inability to prove that marijuana can benefit everyone. Despite the few cases of complete success, the benefits have yet to outweigh the risks in this situation. Out of the 58% of Americans support the legalization of marijuana, most of these people believe that marijuana is an extremely safe drug compared to those we are prescribed every day. When it comes to death marijuana has proved to be safer than 17 FDA approved drugs on the market today. Between the beginning of 1997 and the middle of 2005 only 279 people died with marijuana in their system where 11,687 died with FDA approved drugs in their system. While almost 300 is a lot of deaths they were not directly caused by marijuana, where 10,008 deaths were directly a result of the drugs approved by the FDA (Deaths from Marijuana). Studies have also proved that after the legalization of marijuana there was a 25% decrease in deaths cause by opiate overdose (Greenwell GT). Marijuana has also proven to reduce pain in several chronic pain conditions as well as help glaucoma, M.S, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, and many other patients in the medical field. Despite many misconceptions, marijuana is a drug with a significant amount of risks and side effects associated with it. Cannabis can cause harm, addiction, and death just as any other illegal drug can. Based on a study among 1,500 adults, 53% believed that marijuana provided medicinal benefits, benefitted the government through regulation, and that it provided a drug not as dangerous as others (Jones). Though some of this may …show more content…
Alcohol and cannabis target different parts of your body, but over time the effects are similar. If consumed during adolescence both substances can cause neurological deficiencies, but what is different is marijuana tends to alter the cardiovascular system in ways that could cause serious heart disease, where alcohol tends to destroy your liver while sometimes lowering blood pressure which prevents heart disease. The most similar way these two drugs connect is when it comes to operating a vehicle. In 2010 over 10 million people, ages 12 and older, admitted to driving under the influence of some drug; this means that those drivers experienced lane weaving, reduced response time, and altered attention to the road that not only causes self-endangerment but also endangers others (Drugged Driving). Legalizing marijuana directly affects the amount of teen drivers driving under the influence, because in states where medical marijuana is legal, teen users is higher than those in states where it is not legal; 12 of the 21% of teens who drive under the influence are influenced by marijuana and not of alcohol