Marijuanhuh?

Marijuanhuh?

      Dope, Mary Jane, Hash, Weed, Pot, Marijuana—whatever you call it—this drug has become an increasing problem in the United States. According to Time Magazine, 42% of Americans have tried marijuana and11,469,120 were arrested in 1996-2010 because of it.

                  If this narcotic is so widely smoked, why is it so frowned upon?

     Many argue that marijuana damages the brain and lungs and causes fetal defects. As more research is conducted, average household items such as disinfectants, bleach, and antibacterial products are proven to be more harmful to a human's body than marijuana, yet our nation sprays these chemicals like they're fresh water. These chemicals are in constant contact with the average person body. They cause annoying allergic reactions, sickly birth defects, and dangerous cancers and diseases, and these aren't the only dangerous legal products available.

                    

             Alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine: each one is perfectly legal, but is each one safe?

•      Caffeine is a harmless substance that keeps one focused after a restless night, right? Not quite. It’s true this stimulant is helpful every once in awhile, but studies show that those who consume it regularly are at risk of mental dependency, fetal defects, and sleep deprivation.
•       Alcohol not only destroys one’s brain and liver, but it also is one of the main causes of domestic violence and car accidents. Although many have experienced the terrifying effects of alcohol abuse, our nation depends on it. We have even tried banning it in 1920, but Prohibition just created a whole lot of angry people and a series of gangs.
•      Tobacco is the most harmful legal substance out there. Everyday mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and friends inhale this toxic poison, and by making the choice to light up, they are unintentionally digging their graves. From the addicting nicotine to the never-ending cancers that follow, cigarettes devastate lives. One puff can lead to a life of misery and years of regret. 

     Teens as young as 15 are being sentenced to juvenile prison for small quantities of weed when cancer patients have constant access medical marijuana. If marijuana is hazardous, why are doctors prescribing it? According to Science Daily, "The active ingredient in marijuana cuts tumor growth in common lung cancer in half and significantly reduces the ability of the cancer to spread, say researchers at Harvard University who tested the chemical in both lab and mouse studies." A cancer destroying, life saving alternative to chemotherapy is illegal to the everyday citizen, but cancer causing tobacco and alcohol are on the everyday American's weekly grocery list, kinda like the 221,130 tobacco users that are put on JUST the lung cancer chemotherapy list every year.

                                                                      

                                                                The truth is:

• Marijuana has less harmful effects and more beneficial consequences than alcohol or tobacco.

  It has been successful in treating the symptoms and the progression of Alzheimer's.     

  It has been successful in relaxing muscles and effectively treating seizures.

  It has been successful in slowing down multiple sclerosis.

  It has been successful in taking the edge off migraines.                      

                                             It is not related to sleep deprivation. 

                                                It is not related to liver failure.

                                                  It is not related to cancers.

                                              

                                                    

• Weed generates crime; people want what they can’t have, and some people are willing to do whatever it takes to obtain marijuana. Many purchase marijuana on the black-market from dealers, dealers lead to gangs, gangs lead to gang wars, and these wars lead to the destruction of families, friends, and civilians. Legalizing marijuana will cut down the need for these drug dealers and this street corruption. 

•  By legalizing this 'herb' and placing significant taxes on it, our government could potentially raise money for "hardcore" drug rehabs and save millions of lives. Though, we must consider a few hazards first: 

               First: we must determine a suitable buying age. Because of the impairment of clear judgement     while high--similar to alcohol consumption--21 is the most appropriate buying age.

               Next: we must create regulations on the recreation (i.e make it illegal to drive under the influence or providing it for minors).

               Then: we must legalize marijuana.

               Finally: we must place significant taxes on the substance. 

      By implementing these laws, our government will be fulfilling the wants of the people while making a profit that could be used for community programs. It's a win win situation, and let's be honest how many times does that happen?

     Marijuana has been a part of our nation from the time the Native Americans settled here. It is our past, present, and future. So, whatever you call it--weed, hash, or marijuana--instead of deciding it's a problem, let's mold it into a solution.