The Blunt Truth: Marijuana
You may have missed it in all of the controversy in the presidential election, but in 2016, seven states voted to legalize marijuana, medically or recreationally (Robinson and Gould 1). Of all the illegal drugs in the United States, marijuana is the most commonly used (“DrugFacts” 2). Its popularity has caused a problem for society because it is nearly impossible to stop the use of it. Marijuana refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa (“DrugFacts” 1). Marijuana contains Tetrahydrocannabinol(THC), which is the most psychoactive part of cannabis. THC over-activates parts of the brain, which causes the “high” feeling that users feel (“DrugFacts” 4). Marijuana has many …show more content…
It can be smoked in hand rolled joints, pipes, bongs, or blunts, which are emptied cigars refilled with marijuana. Many people extract and concentrate the THC, and use it with a vaporizer. It can also be used within many foods (“DrugFacts” 4). “Since the 1990s, polls have shown public support for medical marijuana ranging from 70 to 80 percent” (“Marijuana should be” 2). As of 2016, twenty-eight states have legalized medical marijuana. All but one (Washington State) issue identification cards to patients, which help law enforcement recognize who is a valid medical marijuana patient (“Marijuana should be” 2). Marijuana use is very prevalent. According to the Drug Policy Alliance, “More than 114 million Americans—more than 43 percent of U.S. residents surveyed—admit to having tried marijuana at least once in their lives, and nearly 20 million to having used it in the past month” (Drug Policy Alliance …show more content…
Marijuana use has many short term effects. It can cause altered senses, changes in mood, impaired body movement, difficulty with thinking, and impaired memory (“DrugFacts” 6). It also can cause quite a bit of long term effects as well, such as slowing brain development, lowering IQ, and breathing problems. (“DrugFacts” 10). Additionally, studies show that marijuana can enhance the pleasure of other drugs, which is why some people call it a “gateway drug” (“DrugFacts” 19). These effects are especially seen in young people. Although marijuana does have proven effects on the brain, it has many health benefits, and is too commonly used to
You may have missed it in all of the controversy in the presidential election, but in 2016, seven states voted to legalize marijuana, medically or recreationally (Robinson and Gould 1). Of all the illegal drugs in the United States, marijuana is the most commonly used (“DrugFacts” 2). Its popularity has caused a problem for society because it is nearly impossible to stop the use of it. Marijuana refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa (“DrugFacts” 1). Marijuana contains Tetrahydrocannabinol(THC), which is the most psychoactive part of cannabis. THC over-activates parts of the brain, which causes the “high” feeling that users feel (“DrugFacts” 4). Marijuana has many …show more content…
It can be smoked in hand rolled joints, pipes, bongs, or blunts, which are emptied cigars refilled with marijuana. Many people extract and concentrate the THC, and use it with a vaporizer. It can also be used within many foods (“DrugFacts” 4). “Since the 1990s, polls have shown public support for medical marijuana ranging from 70 to 80 percent” (“Marijuana should be” 2). As of 2016, twenty-eight states have legalized medical marijuana. All but one (Washington State) issue identification cards to patients, which help law enforcement recognize who is a valid medical marijuana patient (“Marijuana should be” 2). Marijuana use is very prevalent. According to the Drug Policy Alliance, “More than 114 million Americans—more than 43 percent of U.S. residents surveyed—admit to having tried marijuana at least once in their lives, and nearly 20 million to having used it in the past month” (Drug Policy Alliance …show more content…
Marijuana use has many short term effects. It can cause altered senses, changes in mood, impaired body movement, difficulty with thinking, and impaired memory (“DrugFacts” 6). It also can cause quite a bit of long term effects as well, such as slowing brain development, lowering IQ, and breathing problems. (“DrugFacts” 10). Additionally, studies show that marijuana can enhance the pleasure of other drugs, which is why some people call it a “gateway drug” (“DrugFacts” 19). These effects are especially seen in young people. Although marijuana does have proven effects on the brain, it has many health benefits, and is too commonly used to