For many years California has been fighting against legalization of marijuana. So far four states have legalized marijuana for recreational use. These states include Washington, Alaska, Colorado, and Oregon. Twenty states have legalized marijuana for medical use, some of these states include California, Nevada, Montana, New York, and Maine. Undoubtedly there are some rare cases where medical marijuana is used for the correct purpose. Unfortunately that can still be abused. For years pro marijuana activists in California have spent millions and millions of dollars attempting to advertise the benefits of marijuana, and to make a bill pass for recreational use. Thankfully, there have been enough petitions so stop this bill from becoming a law.
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One of the more popular beliefs of long term marijuana users is that people who use it have a lower IQ. “For example, a study showed that people who started smoking marijuana heavily in their teens and had an ongoing cannabis use disorder lost an average of eight IQ points between ages 13 and 38. lost mental abilities did not fully return in those who quit marijuana as adults. Those who started smoking marijuana as adults did not show notable IQ declines” (drugabuse.gov). Additional long terms effects of smoking marijuana start at breathing problems. The smoke from marijuana irritates the lungs and lowers the ability of the lung to fight off infections. This increases the risk of getting infections and frequent lung illness diseases. This is the same problem tobacco smokers have. After smoking marijuana the heart rate is increased for up to 3 hours after smoking. This increases the chance of heart attacks in older users. When a women is pregnant and she smokes marijuana that increases the risk of the babies brain and behavioral development. This occurs because marijuana affects certain parts of the fetuses brain, and long term effects may includes issues with problem solving, attention and memory. Additional long terms effects of smoking marijuana range from depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts, though the suicidal thoughts are more common among …show more content…
Contrary to that popular belief marijuana is indeed addictive. Brown University did a study on marijuana and its addictive properties. “Both animal and human studies show physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms from marijuana, including irritability, restlessness, insomnia, nausea, and intense dreams. Tolerance to marijuana also builds up rapidly. Heavy users need 9 times higher does to get the same effects as infrequent users” (brown.edu). For a smaller percentage of people who use marijuana (10-14%) marijuana can be highly addicting. Especially for the adolescent, legalizing marijuana for a recreational use means that it will be easier for teens to get their hands on marijuana. A teenagers brain is still in the process of being developed, around the mid-20’s is when a brain is usually fully developed. Dr, Gupta said, “developing brains are likely more susceptible to harm from marijuana than adult brains” (Going to Pot 59). If a teen begins to smoke marijuana around the age of fifteen and does not stop until the age of twenty, the effects are irreversible. Some of these effects include, a risk of psychosis, permanent decrease in IQ, and memory loss. The list goes on and on, legalizing this drug unfortunately may do more harm than
One of the more popular beliefs of long term marijuana users is that people who use it have a lower IQ. “For example, a study showed that people who started smoking marijuana heavily in their teens and had an ongoing cannabis use disorder lost an average of eight IQ points between ages 13 and 38. lost mental abilities did not fully return in those who quit marijuana as adults. Those who started smoking marijuana as adults did not show notable IQ declines” (drugabuse.gov). Additional long terms effects of smoking marijuana start at breathing problems. The smoke from marijuana irritates the lungs and lowers the ability of the lung to fight off infections. This increases the risk of getting infections and frequent lung illness diseases. This is the same problem tobacco smokers have. After smoking marijuana the heart rate is increased for up to 3 hours after smoking. This increases the chance of heart attacks in older users. When a women is pregnant and she smokes marijuana that increases the risk of the babies brain and behavioral development. This occurs because marijuana affects certain parts of the fetuses brain, and long term effects may includes issues with problem solving, attention and memory. Additional long terms effects of smoking marijuana range from depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts, though the suicidal thoughts are more common among …show more content…
Contrary to that popular belief marijuana is indeed addictive. Brown University did a study on marijuana and its addictive properties. “Both animal and human studies show physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms from marijuana, including irritability, restlessness, insomnia, nausea, and intense dreams. Tolerance to marijuana also builds up rapidly. Heavy users need 9 times higher does to get the same effects as infrequent users” (brown.edu). For a smaller percentage of people who use marijuana (10-14%) marijuana can be highly addicting. Especially for the adolescent, legalizing marijuana for a recreational use means that it will be easier for teens to get their hands on marijuana. A teenagers brain is still in the process of being developed, around the mid-20’s is when a brain is usually fully developed. Dr, Gupta said, “developing brains are likely more susceptible to harm from marijuana than adult brains” (Going to Pot 59). If a teen begins to smoke marijuana around the age of fifteen and does not stop until the age of twenty, the effects are irreversible. Some of these effects include, a risk of psychosis, permanent decrease in IQ, and memory loss. The list goes on and on, legalizing this drug unfortunately may do more harm than