Negative Effects Of Marijuana Use example essay topic

Marijuana, common name for a drug made from the dried leaves and flowering tops of the Indian hemp plant Cannabis sativa. The flowering tops of the Cannabis plant secrete a sticky resin that contains the active ingredient of marijuana, known as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The plant has both male and female forms, and the sticky flowers of the female plant are the most potent. Hashish is a similar drug prepared from the same plant. It differs from marijuana in that it is comprised of only the resin from the plant, whereas marijuana is made up of flowering tops and leaves.

In my opinion this drug that we call marijuana should not be open for the public to buy because of all the negative effects that it brings. Marijuana has its share of good qualities as it does badly. It has been proven that Cannabis Sativa can be used for medicinal purposes. With Proposition 215 marijuana is considered legal to a certain extent.

This Proposition can be used for certain illnesses such as glaucoma, AIDS, spastic disorders, etc. As long as the patient doesn't overly abuse the drug the negative effects can be kept to a minimum. Proposition 215 has already been implemented in some states such as California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Researchers say that marijuana is a gateway drug but there is no real evidence to support this theory. Negative effects of marijuana use can include confusion, acute panic reactions, anxiety attacks, fear, a sense of helplessness, and loss of self-control. Chronic marijuana users may develop a motivational syndrome characterized by passivity, decreased motivation, and preoccupation with taking drugs.

Like alcohol intoxication, marijuana intoxication impairs judgment, comprehension, memory, speech, problem-solving ability, reaction time, and driving skills. Many users describe two phases of marijuana intoxication: initial stimulation, which includes giddiness and euphoria, followed by sedation and pleasant tranquility. Mood changes are often accompanied by altered perceptions of time and space. Thinking processes become disrupted by fragmentary ideas and memories.

Many users report increased appetite, heightened sensory awareness, and general feelings of pleasure. The effects of long-term marijuana use on the intellect have not been established, and there is no evidence that marijuana causes brain damage. Smoking marijuana can damage the lungs, however, and long-term use may increase the risk of developing an addiction. Although marijuana is not physically addicting and no physical withdrawal symptoms occur when use is discontinued, psychological dependence develops in some 10 to 20 percent of long-term regular users. The amounts of money used in drug use prevention and to lock up sellers of this illegal drug are soaring. It takes over 45,000 a year to imprison one marijuana seller for a year.

Marijuana users would say if it were legalized the money used in incarcerating the drug sellers could go to programs and advertisement against the use of drugs. But is it really worth the risk of even further exposing our children to this substance that society so severely disapproves of. Children are already too exposed to marijuana as it is now. Experts believe that that main reason why some people participate in doing this drug is because it is illegal and in some ways it makes marijuana socially acceptable. With this information given there still isn't enough to convince me that Cannabis Sativa should be legalized. Legalization would put more of it on the streets endangering our children even more and put more money into the government's hands.

It is fine to have it for medicinal purposes but to put it on the streets is just ludicrous.