The Harmful Effects Of Marijuana

the user drinks a lot in a short amount of time (U.S. Department of Health, 2004). Because the blood alcohol level increases too fast, the body cannot metabolize the alcohol fast enough and the brain blacks out, or does not retain and memory from a certain period of time (U.S. Department of Health, 2004). Almost every part of the brain is vulnerable to effects of alcohol. In fact, 80% of alcoholics are likely to develop brain disorders because of the harm that alcohol does to the brain (U.S. Department of Health, 2004). The final drug to explore is the drug called marijuana. Marijuana is a natural grow substance that can be grown in a variety of environments, such as a closet or a garden. Of the three drugs explored, this is the oldest known …show more content…
Based on the information provided, it is important to look at all of the facts. Tobacco and alcohol only have damaging effects to the users, while marijuana has some useful effects. Putting the side effects a side, the death rates for each of the drugs is substantially different. In the United States, there are about 480,000 deaths resulting from tobacco use (Center for Disease Control, 2015). Alcohol yields about 100,000 deaths each year from alcohol related deaths in the United States (Talbott Recovery, 2016). Marijuana use has resulted in no deaths in its entire history, which is about 5,000 years long (Morris & Maisto, pg. 146). In fact, marijuana usage has been proven to decrease the use of nicotine and alcohol use in those who frequent the drug (Carroll, …show more content…
While tobacco and alcohol have a more harmful effect on the user, they are perfectly legal to consume. Marijuana is still considered a Schedule 1 substance, as its medical benefits are not proven through science yet. While some states are leaning towards the legalization marijuana, there is no question that tobacco and alcohol have only harmful effects when consumed. In fact, since tobacco and alcohol are addictive substances, they are a part of the nature- nurture issue in the psychological world. Those who are genetically predisposed with nicotine and alcohol addictive traits are more likely to experience those addictions. Since marijuana is not addictive, it is more of a mind- body issue in psychology. Given all of the information that is currently available, it appears that the legal drugs presented are more harmful that the illegal drug that is