Introduction
Marijuana is a drug that has mixed
reactions in different states. Some states legalize the drug, and they have
reasons supporting it. However, in some places the drug remains illegal with
some restrictions for the medicinal use. The articles focus on a discussion
surrounding the legalization of marijuana. Some argue that citizens should say
no to the legalization and others claim that it has beneficial uses to the
economy and human beings using it for medicinal use.
The first article argues that the
marijuana is an illegal drug that should not be allowed for the legalization
due to the many negative effects associated with it. The argument is contrary
to another article that explains that marijuana has many health benefits, and
hence its legalization is beneficial to some aspect. In support of marijuana
legalization, the article compares the number of deaths caused by the
prescription drugs and those from marijuana. The prescription drugs claim lives
of approximately 100,000 people annually globally (Dave Smith, 2012). However,
for marijuana, no record shows deaths caused by it regardless of the many years
it has been in use. In contrast, many of the deaths have association with the
common prescription drugs sold or given over the counter after prescription by
a doctor. In the objection to the legalization of marijuana, the article
explains that it is addictive, and its use affects bodily and mental
operations. Its use has association with many negative effects like; memory
loss, cancer, and heart diseases. Where it is not illegal; its trafficking
remains to be the cause of violence, crime and societal disintegration.
Body
It is factual that the taking of overdose of drugs like aspirin, and beverages like coffee causes death. On the other hand, marijuana whether medicinal or not, is not lethal at all and instead has health benefits. For one to have a toxic amount of a drug like delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol; they have to smoke an amount of 15,000 joints for a period of twenty minutes (Dave Smith, 2012). Thus, it is not easy for the drug to cause death by the normal use by the regular users.
It is factual that the taking of overdose of drugs like aspirin, and beverages like coffee causes death. On the other hand, marijuana whether medicinal or not, is not lethal at all and instead has health benefits. For one to have a toxic amount of a drug like delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol; they have to smoke an amount of 15,000 joints for a period of twenty minutes (Dave Smith, 2012). Thus, it is not easy for the drug to cause death by the normal use by the regular users.
Marijuana helps in the prevention of
the enzyme acetylcholinesterase from hastening the formation of “Alzheimers’s
plaques’’ and protein clumps that hinders cognition and memory.
Tetrahydrocannabinol is a chemical substance in marijuana that works better
than the other commercial drugs in the treatment of Alzheimer’s condition. In
addition, some ingredients found in natural marijuana play a significant role
in regulating seizures in epilepsy. The drug is also useful in helping the
patients with multiple sclerosis. It assists in relieving pain in the arms and
legs upon contraction and also makes them feel comfortable (Dave Smith, 2012).
Not many of the prescription drugs
cause a pleasurable effect as side effects to the users like what marijuana
does. Treatment of glaucoma is also possible by use of marijuana. It usually
causes blindness and hence a serious disease. Those who use marijuana in its
treatment say that it reduces intraocular pressure that can cause optic nerve
damage. In relieving chronic pain, marijuana proves useful. Patients with
Arthritis report reduced pain and inflammation and increased sleep by use of
marijuana. Marijuana only reduces the pain but does not treat the condition.
People who regularly use marijuana have reduced instances of depression in
comparison to the people who have never taken it. Marijuana helps in dealing
with anxiety due to the calming condition of the body. However, some experience
the opposite effect. People with HIV/ AIDS and cancer use marijuana to relieve
nausea and vomiting and increasing appetite (Dave Smith, 2012). According to
the American Cancer Society, marijuana has association with anti-bacterial
properties and hinders tumor growth.
On the contrary, legalization of
marijuana has associated health risks. According to an article by Charles
Stimson, citizens should say no to the legalization of marijuana. Literature is
clear about the addictive nature of using marijuana and its negative effects on
the body and mental functions. It causes a loss of memory and also cancer.
Marijuana has effects to the immune systems and also causes birth defects
(Charles, 2010).
The drug is the leading cause of
substance dependence apart from alcohol in United States. It accounts for about
4.2 million of the seven million people having a dependence condition on abuse
of illicit drugs (Charles, 2010). Therefore, legalizing marijuana would
increase the statistics. The increase in the numbers would also lead to
increase in the levels of addiction to the drug.
Legalizing marijuana would impact
other issues apart from the financial perspective. The legalization would not
restrict the young generation from using marijuana. There would be a similar
scenario to that of legalization of tobacco and alcohol that makes even the
youth use them irresponsibly. Research shows that, continued use of marijuana
causes the many severe mental and physical problems.
Marijuana affects the way people
behave while driving. It causes impaired judgments to the drivers and serves as
a major cause of highway accidents, injuries and deaths (Walsh, et. Al, 2004,
254-260). There is a high prevalence of poor driving techniques due to the use
of marijuana. The reduction of marijuana use is important for improving the
health, education and productivity of the nation. Thus legalizing marijuana is
not a good public health strategy for any state (Charles, 2010).
In the first article dealing with
the benefits that legitimize legalization, the author argues out the issues
raised in a clears way. He starts by showing the distinction between the deaths
caused by prescription drugs and those by marijuana. He then supports the fact
that regular, but controlled marijuana use cannot death from the other drugs.
It has a precise description of the health benefits having support information.
In the second article concerning
saying no to the legalization of marijuana, the author deals with the negative
effects of using marijuana and gives supporting information to it. He then
contrasts the views proposed to the legalization of marijuana and gives reasons
why the drug should be illegal.
From the two arguments about
legalization of marijuana, whether on the supporting or the opposing side, they
both acknowledge view marijuana as an illegal drug. Another issue is that,
marijuana is a drug that impairs the brain in some way. To those who support
the legalization, they agree that it undergoes abuse, and they recommend the
medicinal use. There are many contrasting ideas about the legalization of
marijuana. The major conflict is the medicinal use versus the health risks it
poses to the users.
In terms of medicinal use, it
relieves pain in a major health conditions and serves as a way of reducing
anxiety. It also helps the cancer and HIV/ AIDS patients to reduce nausea and
increase appetite. On the contrary, taking of marijuana causes cancer, heart
diseases, and impaired mental functioning. Marijuana has a certain
anti-bacterial chemical that hinders tumor growth and on the contrary; it
causes cancer.
The strength of the first article is
that it articulates the issues on hand with strong arguments to make the reader
fully understand. The weakness of the article is that most of the information
described pertain the health benefits without focusing on other issues. The
strength of the second article is that it presents at thorough research on the
negative aspects of legalizing marijuana giving the necessary details. The
article has weaknesses in that it does not involve any reference from other
researchers to support the work.
Conclusion
Marijuana use is harmful to the health of human beings. Thus, its legalization poses a great danger to the health of the users. Most of the health benefits associated with its use are secondary and do not lead to curing of the diseases. The effects of the drug to the users are mostly; relieving pain, increasing the level of appetite and providing a good environment for the prescription drugs. The second article that negates the ideas of legalization is recommendable for further research in this field.
Marijuana use is harmful to the health of human beings. Thus, its legalization poses a great danger to the health of the users. Most of the health benefits associated with its use are secondary and do not lead to curing of the diseases. The effects of the drug to the users are mostly; relieving pain, increasing the level of appetite and providing a good environment for the prescription drugs. The second article that negates the ideas of legalization is recommendable for further research in this field.
Works cited
Bates,
B., Teen cannabis use predicts depression. Clinical Psychiatry News, Feb, 2010
38(2)
Boschert,
S.,Marijuana self-medication might prompt mood disorders, stress. Clinical
Psychiatry News, Feb, 2010 38(2)
Charles
Stimson, Legalizing marijuana: why citizens should just say no, 2010
Dave
Smith, Medical marijuana: 10 health benefits that legitimize legalization, 2012
D'Souza,
D.C., Sewell, R.A., & Ranganathan, M.,Cannabis and psychosis/schizophrenia:
Human studies. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 2009 259(7),
413-331.
MacCoun,
R.J., & Reuter, P, Drug war heresies: Learning from other vices, times, and
places, 2001
Sherry Roberts is the author of this paper. A senior editor at MeldaResearch.Com in urgent custom research papers. If you need a similar paper you can place your order from nursing school papers services.
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