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 proven health benefits, but many people still believe there are too many health risks, especially to young people. Nevertheless, because the prohibition of marijuana causes so many problems in society, both recreational and medical marijuana should be legalized. Marijuana is used in many different ways. …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 1). It would be impossible to prevent that many people from using marijuana. The criminalization of marijuana causes over-incarceration in our society. In 2013, nearly half of drug arrests were for marijuana, and the vast majority were for simple possession. “There are more arrests for marijuana possession every year than for all violent crimes combined” (Drug Policy Alliance 3). That shows us that our society is using too many resources and too much time trying to stamp out a behavior that is common and not that harmful. Some states that have reduced the penalties do not have an increase in crime. Marijuana criminalization also promotes inequality because even though people of different races use marijuana at the same rate, more people of color are arrested for it. Drug Policy Alliance shows that “Black people were nearly four times more likely to be arrested for possession than white people in 2010” …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 proven health benefits, but many people still believe there are too many health risks, especially to young people. Nevertheless, because the prohibition of marijuana causes so many problems in society, both recreational and medical marijuana should be legalized. Marijuana is used in many different ways. …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 1). It would be impossible to prevent that many people from using marijuana. The criminalization of marijuana causes over-incarceration in our society. In 2013, nearly half of drug arrests were for marijuana, and the vast majority were for simple possession. “There are more arrests for marijuana possession every year than for all violent crimes combined” (Drug Policy Alliance 3). That shows us that our society is using too many resources and too much time trying to stamp out a behavior that is common and not that harmful. Some states that have reduced the penalties do not have an increase in crime. Marijuana criminalization also promotes inequality because even though people of different races use marijuana at the same rate, more people of color are arrested for it. Drug Policy Alliance shows that “Black people were nearly four times more likely to be arrested for possession than white people in 2010” …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