Marijuana: Should it be legalized?
Marijuana is the most commonly abused illicit drug; it is derived from the Cannabis plant. According to a government survey, about 25 million Americans have smoked marijuana within a time span of 12 months. Its main active chemical is tetrahydrocannabanol, known as THC and other cannabinoids.
So how exactly does marijuana affect the brain?
Once marijuana is inhaled or ingested, the active THC enters the blood stream and is carried to the brain. The brain contains Cannabinoid receptors which are located on the presynaptic neurons; THC (the active chemical in Cannabis plant) attaches to the cannabinoid receptors. The chemicals decrease excitatory and inhibitory messages from many neurons. The cannabinoids indirectly cause the release of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens.
Some effects of marijuana include intensification of sensory experiences, impairments of memory and cognition, and the illusion that time has slowed down.
But some argue that not all effects are negative. Advocates of legalization of marijuana argue that the Cannabis plant is less harmful than other legalized substances such as alcohol and tobacco. Furthermore, advocates argue that marijuana has proven to have medicinal purposes.
Let's view some points of the debate.....
For legalization: Against legalization:
* Marijuana is no more harmful than * Marijuana is worse for individuals and society.
tobacco and alcohol. *Marijuana use impairs the immune system.
* Marijuana can have beneficial mind- * Marijuana use impairs hormone production.
altering effects if used properly. * Marijuana smoke is highly damaging to lungs.
*Marijuana is NOT addictive. * Increase crime rates.
* Marijuana can curb psychotic
symptoms in people with
schizophrenia.
The video above mainly focuses on some factual information that claims marijuana does indeed have positive effects.
Currently, there is ongoing research to show the effects of marijuana use.
Below is a diagram of some physiological effects.
Historically, the use, sales, possession and association of marijuana was criminalized in 1951. In 2005, the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government has jurisdiction over the legal status of marijuana.
Please feel free to comment on your opinion of the legalization of marijuana.. :)
Very informative and interesting, I enjoyed reading your blog. I am against the legalization of marijuana so I think the whole Pros of Marijuana is just stupid. Marijuana is addictive, it wasn't why then would people be wanting to legalize it! If we were to legalize marijuana we would have the hippie era all over again. I am all for just using the plant for medical purposes and that's it! To much of anything will eventually bite you in the back of the neck if you know what I mean.
ReplyDeleteI believe that if it is effective in medicinal purposes than it should be legalized for that one purpose only. I don't think it should be completely legalized because if it is already being the most abused drug out there than i can imagine how much more it would be abused if legalized. I think it is harmful and leads many teens and adults to act very irrational and leads to many crimes being committed.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting, personally I believe that marijuana should be illegal, because if it becomes legal then it will be easy to attain, just as it is with other drugs like tobacco or alcohol, some states allow it with a prescription I believe California, but people could just get fake prescriptions like they do with IDs for tobacco and alcohol. Marijuana not only affects the person using it but others too, one of its side effects is slow reaction, which can impair a persons driving or the operation of heavy machinery, causing an accident either life threatening or taking.
ReplyDeleteHonestly my vote could go either way on this issue. Whether we like it or not, people use it legally and illegally however it is a hard line to draw of who should be allowed access to it. Legalized we could use it to boost the economy, and it comparing to meth, cocaine, and alcohol it isn't the worst drug out there. The effects aren't as severe even compared to just a regular nicotine cigarette, and it isn't addictive because people who take it don't have to take it every day all the time and what people are willing to do to get it is not the same and a full fledged cocaine addiction. And from what i've read in this article marijuana could possibly do more good than harm: http://healthland.time.com/2011/07/26/marijuana-derivative-may-offer-hope-in-cocaine-addiction/
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