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The Pros And Cons Of Marijuana

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II. Body Marijuana is the third most popular recreational drug in America. Behind only alcohol and tobacco. And nearly 100 million Americans used marijuana. Marijuana is far less dangerous than alcohol and tobacco. About 50,000 people die each year from alcohol poisoning. And more than 400,000 deaths each year for tobacco smoking. By comparison, marijuana is nontoxic and cannot cause death by overdose. In 1972, a Congressionally created commission called the National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse, whose members were appointed by President Richard Nixon, Completed one of the most comprehensive reviews ever undertaken regarding marijuana and public policy. Their report, “Marijuana: A signal of Misunderstanding,” proclaimed …show more content…

Short term effects, is when a person smokes marijuana, THC quickly passes from the lungs into the bloodstream. The blood carries the chemical to the brain and other organs throughout the body. The body then absorbs THC more slowly when the person or drinks it. In that case, the user generally feels the effects after 30 minutes to 1 hour. These natural chemicals play a role in normal brain development and function. Marijuana over activates parts of the brain that contain the highest number of these receptors. This cause the “high” that user feel. Other effects include altered senses, changes in mood, impaired body movement, difficulty with thinking and problem solving and impaired memory. Long term effects, marijuana also affects the brain development. When the marijuana users begin using as teenagers the drug may reduce thinking, memory, and learning functions and affect how the brain builds connections between the areas necessary for these functions. Marijuana’s effects on these abilities may last a long time or even be …show more content…

Contrary to common belief, marijuana can be addictive. Research suggests that about 1 in 11 users becomes addicted to marijuana (Anthony, 1994; Lopez-Quintero 2011).This number increases among those who start as teens (to about 17 percent, or 1 in 6) (Anthony, 2006) and among people who use marijuana daily (to 25-50 percent) (Hall & Pacula, 2003). Compared to nonusers, heavy marijuana users more often report the following: lower life satisfaction, poorer mental health, poorer physical health, and more relationship problems. Users also report less academic and career success. For example, marijuana use is linked to a higher likelihood of dropping out of school (McCaffrey, 2010). It also linked to more job absences, accidents, and injuries (Zwerling, 1990). Treatment for marijuana addiction, Behavioral support is effective in treating a marijuana addiction. Like therapy and motivational incentives. No medications are currently available to treat marijuana addiction. But continuing the research may lead to a new medication that can block the effects of marijuana and prevent

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