Nature vs. Synthetic “In 2016, there were more than 63,600 drug overdose deaths in the United States.” ("Annual Causes of Death in the United States") A marijuana user would have to consume an estimated 1,500 pounds of marijuana in 15 minutes to induce a lethal response (Smith 2017). Medical Marijuana is a better alternative than Prescription Opioids.
Opioid
Opioids are drugs naturally found in the opium poppy plant. Some prescription opioids are made from the plant directly and some are made from scientists in labs using the same chemical structure (“Opiate Effects”). Opioids are used to make the body feel relaxed and treat moderate to severe pain, making it very easy to become dependent or addicted ("Opiate Effects”). Prescription opioids have many different effects on the body, both long-term and short-term. In the short-term, opioids can relieve pain and make the body feel relaxed, but they can also cause confusion, nausea, constipation, euphoria, slowed breathing, unconsciousness, dry mouth, a feeling of heaviness in arms or legs, alternating state between drowsy and alert, impaired mental function, and itchy skin (“Opiate Effects”). Long- term effects include a suppressed immune system, built-up tolerance, frequent or severe constipation, insomnia, decreased …show more content…
Short-term effects of marijuana include temporary memory loss, lack of coordination, altered perception of time, changes in mood, difficulties thinking or problem solving, increased appetite, drowsiness, dry mouth, red eyes, pain relief, relaxation, euphoria and uncontrollable laughter. If the user is inexperienced or has a low tolerance and used to high of a dose they may feel anxiety, fear, panic, hallucinations, delusions, and a loss of the sense of personal identity. Long-term effects may include breathing problems (if used by the smoking method) (National Institute on Drug
Opioid
Opioids are drugs naturally found in the opium poppy plant. Some prescription opioids are made from the plant directly and some are made from scientists in labs using the same chemical structure (“Opiate Effects”). Opioids are used to make the body feel relaxed and treat moderate to severe pain, making it very easy to become dependent or addicted ("Opiate Effects”). Prescription opioids have many different effects on the body, both long-term and short-term. In the short-term, opioids can relieve pain and make the body feel relaxed, but they can also cause confusion, nausea, constipation, euphoria, slowed breathing, unconsciousness, dry mouth, a feeling of heaviness in arms or legs, alternating state between drowsy and alert, impaired mental function, and itchy skin (“Opiate Effects”). Long- term effects include a suppressed immune system, built-up tolerance, frequent or severe constipation, insomnia, decreased …show more content…
Short-term effects of marijuana include temporary memory loss, lack of coordination, altered perception of time, changes in mood, difficulties thinking or problem solving, increased appetite, drowsiness, dry mouth, red eyes, pain relief, relaxation, euphoria and uncontrollable laughter. If the user is inexperienced or has a low tolerance and used to high of a dose they may feel anxiety, fear, panic, hallucinations, delusions, and a loss of the sense of personal identity. Long-term effects may include breathing problems (if used by the smoking method) (National Institute on Drug