Marijuanas Pros and Cons Essay Example for Free

Marijuanas Pros and Cons Essay Have you ever wondered what marijuana can do to your body? Many people say marijuana is bad for the health. That it can cause long term effects. Some actually believe that marijuana can have positive effects, such those for medical use. After a long research this paper will talk about the positive and the negative results of marijuana. One argument for the legalization of marijuana is that itsn’t more harmful than alcohol or tobacco if it is used in moderation (Messari). There has been many much researches done showing that if the use the drug in moderation its not harmful at all. One of the researchers called CARDIA, proved that smoking one joint per day in an overall of 20 years can actually help lung function. The researchers dont know why light-to-moderate pot use might subtly improve lung function. It could be that marijuana users inadvertently train themselves to be good at the inhalation and exhalation test because they practice deep breathing when they smoke pot, Kertesz told LiveScience. The airflow increase, then, is not necessarily an indicator of healthier lungs (Wanjek). An argument for the legalization of marijuana is that according to many doctors marijuana has medical benefits, especially for cancer patients. Marijuana has been used for medical reasons since ancient times (edicine). Medical marijuana also offers relief to patients suffering from multiple Sclerosis, Glaucoma, Alzheimer’s, and breast Cancer (White). Marijuana is promoted to relieve pain, control nausea and vomiting, and stimulate appetite in people with cancer and AIDS. Researchers also report that Cannabis used in medical purpose decreases pressure within the eyes, therefore reducing the severity of glaucoma. Some supporters claim that marijuana has antibacterial properties, inhibits tumor growth, and enlarges the airways, which they believe can ease the severity of asthma attacks. Others claim that marijuana can be used to control seizures and muscle spasms in people who have epilepsy and spinal cord injuries (Zuardi). One argument against the legalization of marijuana is that according to many researchers and medical studies marijuana is often used as a stepping-stone drug. Many doctors say Children who have used marijuana are 85 times likelier to use cocaine than children who have not used marijuana (Glitter). According to Dr. Eric Voth Chairman, marijuana is a stepping-stone drug. Dr. Chairman points out in one of his interviews Yes it is, the medical literature documents this and IOM understates it. Alcohol, tobacco and marijuana all have serious primary effects but all serve as gateway drugs. (Wanjek) An argument against marijuana is, that there are lots of long term effects caused by the drug. Many studies have investigated whether long-term use of cannabis can cause or contribute to the development of illnesses, such as heart disease, bipolar disorder, depression, mood swings or schizophrenia (Ramstrom). A group of scientists in California examined the health status of 450 daily smokers of marijuana but not tobacco. They found that the marijuana smokers had more sick days and more doctor visits for respiratory problems and other types of illness than did a similar group who did not smoke either substance (Buddy). There are lots of adults who started in their teenage years, to smoke â€Å"weed†. Most of them by the age of 18 were already adicts. â€Å"I started using on a lark, a dare from a best friend who said that I was too chicken to smoke a joint and drink a quart of beer. I was fourteen at that time. After seven years of using and drinking I found myself at the end of the road with addiction. I was no longer using to feel euphoria, I was just using to feel some semblance of normality. â€Å"Then I started having negative feelings about myself and my own abilities. I hated the paranoia. 1 I hated looking over my shoulder all the time. I really hated not trusting my friends. I became so paranoid that I successfully drove everyone away and found myself in the terrible place no one wants to be in—I was alone. I’d wake up in the morning and start using and keep using throughout the day. † —Paul (Marijuana Facts) There is also long term effects for men such as fertility. Reproductive hormones are decreased. In men, there is less testosterone, causing decreased sperm counts and possible erectile dysfunction by use of the drug. In women, there may be irregular periods. Both problems would result in a decreased ability to conceive but not lead to complete infertility under the consume of marijuana(Short). There are many other effects of smoking marijuana, that this paper didn’t even talk about. Like the different ways marijuana can be used, to make fuel and paper. Or how it can make your no you brain slower, and kill many cell membranes. Its up to the people to decide what they choose to believe. For me, marijuana should be legalized. After all it has more benefits than negatives if its used correctly.