Effect of Marijuana (Essay Sample)

Marijuana
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Introduction
Marijuana is one of the most used as well as abused drug in the United States and the entire globe. Studies show significant negative effects of marijuana outweighing the advantages. Medical benefits of the drug lie in the processed chemical compounds and not the drug itself. Mental and physical health of persons using marijuana is adversely affected upon abuse. In the past there have been efforts to control the use of the drug through legislation of laws. However, in the recent past, it is noted there is relaxation in implementation of the same legislations and the effects are evident. This paper discusses how relaxations of the laws indicate growing tolerance of the drug. It shall also discuss how the relaxations have compromised safety, quality of life and security. Finally, the paper focuses on the effects of control of marijuana on other substances including cocaine, heroin, meth-amphetamines, etc.
Researchers and scientists have proven that marijuana plant contains useful chemicals that have been used in treating several illnesses. As a result, there have been arguments to legalize it for medical benefits. Currently, marijuana is categorized as a Schedule 1 by Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Some of the highlights of research findings are here. Active chemicals in marijuana called cannabinoids has been used in development of FDA-approved drugs leading to development of pharmaceuticals used to harness therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids at the same time minimizing the harmful side effects resulting from smoking and eating leaves, Iversen (2008).
According to Bello (2008), marijuana has several benefits medically. Main cannabinoids THC and cannabidiol (CBD) are found in varying proportions in the marijuana plant. THC is used in stimulating appetite as well as reducing nausea. Other THC-based medications can decrease inflammation, spasticity and pain. CBD is mainly useful in controlling epileptic seizure, treating addictions and psychosis, reducing inflammation and pain. Sativex; a spray, is used in treating spasticity resulting from multiple sclerosis and has been approved for use in the U.S and other countries. Currently, Sativex is under further research to establish how effective it can be in treating cancer pain. The above medical benefits have led to legalization of the use of marijuana.
On the other hand, marijuana has adverse effects. When used in acute portions, it can cause panic and anxiety especially for naïve users. Impaired memory, attention and psychomotor performance have been proved a problem too. There is increased risk of psychotic cases especially to those from a family of psychosis history, Meyer (1975). When used in large amounts, marijuana can lead to chronic bronchitis and malignant disease. Researchers are still working on changes of marijuana increasing chances of cancer of pharynx, esophagus and oral cavity cancer and leukemia. As a result of these adverse effects that outweigh the benefits, there has been controlled use of marijuana in the U.S and all other countries.
Recently, there has been increasing pressure to legalize or rather decriminalize possession and use of certain amounts of marijuana and therefore pass laws to allow its use. Legalization involves removal of all prohibitions against its use. Implementing this means marijuana will be available for adults to purchase and use at their will. Decriminalization involves removal of criminal sanctions against behavior, article or act. Decriminalization of marijuana means it will remain illegal but the law will not prosecute any person found using or in possession of the drug. Instead, there will be penalties ranging from lack of penalty, drug education, civil fines and drug treatment. There is no state that has legalized marijuana so far but there are 26 states in U.S that have already passed laws that decriminalize it.
The result of these laws led flourishing of businesses that involve selling marijuana. For instance Cannabis Investments has been in the forefront providing information on how one can invest in medical and hemp-related marijuana companies and products. Due to the growing network of the business, the interested groups are exerting pressure on the state legislatures to basically decriminalize marijuana. These groups also count on the mass support from millions of addicts and politicians drumming for support to be re-elected without thinking about the dangers of such acts.
In the health sector, some patients have been recommended by physicians to use medical marijuana for specific conditions and illnesses are exempt from any criminal prosecution in several states, Werner (2011). Those in love with the drug may take the advantage to abuse it. Since addicts range from all classes of life, the powerful ones will use these medical loop holes to be exempted from prosecution through such relevant medical acts. Medical practitioners can use their rights to unlawfully permit some individuals who do not have medical challenges to use marijuana products. These marijuana laws vary significantly from one state to the other, one dispensary to the other and these disparities can be exploited for some drug users to their advantage.
Effect of marijuana on health, safety and quality of life
With the above discussed loopholes, marijuana has been used and their effects on the health sector are evident. Marijuana directly affects the brain. The specific parts affected include those responsible for attention, learning, reaction time and memory. Research attest that these effects can last up-to 28 days from the last time the drug has been used. Scientifically, the adolescent brain is the most affected. Parts of the brain that regulate personality expression, social behavior and cognitive behavior are usually not developed fully until after 20s. These brains are the most susceptible to most effects of marijuana as well as other drugs.
The most prominent component of marijuana; THC is responsible for producing ‘high’ user experience. Smoked marijuana produces four times THC levels and reduced levels of other components. The high THC content increases all the usual negative effects of the plant. Intake of marijuana increases changes of heart attack can provoke pain in the chest especially in heart disease patients. Further research shows that smoke from marijuana contain carcinogens which cause irritation to the lungs; increasing chances of bronchitis, cough and production of phlegm. Compared to tobacco, marijuana has 50-70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons according to American Lung Association.
Marijuana is strongly linked to mental illness especially psychosis, schizophrenia, anxiety and depression. When marijuana is taken during pregnancy, research shows it can lead to less birth weight. There are very high chances of addiction for those who start using marijuana at early age and users who may try quitting have severe symptoms including insomnia, depression, anxiety, irritability and appetite disturbance. This means that there is a cost to be incurred for those attempting to quit addition of the drug and this is expensive.
In recent years, research has related marijuana to dangerous driving. The parts of the brain which are vital for driving; reaction time and impaired motor coordination deficits are the causes of most car crashes. This renders almost users dangerous drivers who are responsible for most avoidable accidents and this reduces the quality of life of American citizens. Research on intelligence and marijuana reveals that marijuana reduces a person’s IQ up-to eight points come age 38 for those who begun using marijuana frequently before 18 years. Other studies have linked school drop-out cases to the use of marijuana. This overflows to future unemployment and over-dependence on social welfare. This clearly translates to lower quality of life amongst marijuana users compared to non-marijuana abusing citizens. Employees have reported frequent absenteeism, tardiness, job turnover, worker’s compensation claims and accidents. It translates to high costs running companies as well as poor services since companies will be losing experienced staff. The more available a drug is in the society the more will be its use. Once addicts increase in the community, there will be increased dependence on the immediate family members and social welfare. It means it the community at large will spend more on taking care and rehabilitating addicts at the same time treating extreme cases.
There are many crime related cases reported among marijuana users. CASA reported in 2006 that the youth arrested for breaking laws were more than four times likely to have used marijuana. The same statistics apply for those who are arrested more than once in their lifetime. According to English (1996), marijuana is widely known to contribute to aggressiveness among users. Youth who engage in abusing marijuana are the most likely to be found in violent incidences as well as delinquent behavior. Most of the criminals arrested are supposedly reported to have used marijuana in their teen years. In the families, physical violence is reported to be prevalent among those who either one of both parents use marijuana. Other instances like stealing property, physical attack on people and school strikes are associated with marijuana smoking teens.
In U.S it is found out that academically poor youth were four times more lik...