As of 2016, marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States. Also known as cannabis, it is very harmful to the user and can cause serious brain damage. Marijuana has a huge impact on school life, work, and the ability to function. As the use of this drug is increasing, crime and car accident rates have increased. It not only puts the user’s life at risk, but also the general public. Doctors who prescribe “medical marijuana” to “patients” argue there to be numerous benefits from it. Studies have shown marijuana to be not only addictive, but also a gateway to other, more adverse drugs. Therefore, marijuana should not be legalized in all fifty states. Marijuana is harmful to the user and others around them. It affects their mental and physical states. Marijuana contains a mind altering substance called THC, along with other chemicals. “When marijuana is smoked, the chemicals in the plant pass from the lungs into the bloodstream, which rapidly carries them throughout the body and to the brain.” Side effects of this drug vary from the amount ingested, as serious brain damage can occur with continuous use. While under the influence, marijuana affects the user’s sensory …show more content…
“Recent data suggests that 30 percent of marijuana users may have some degree of marijuana use disorder.” Marijuana use disorder becomes an addiction when the user can’t stop using the drug even though it interferes with multiple aspects of their life. “Marijuana dependence occurs when the brain adapts to large amounts of the drug by reducing production of and sensitivity to its own endocannabinoid neurotransmitters.” This results with a feeling of “immunity” to the drug. Because of this, “long term studies of drug use patterns show that most high school students who use other harder, illegal drugs have tried marijuana first.” This drug may not seem powerful, but it has lead to the death of millions of