Introduction
Marijuana has different names in the streets and these include; Aunt Mary, Ganja, Grass, Mary Jane, Pot, Reefer, Sinsemilla, Skunk, Weed. Marijuana is said to be among the most smoked illicit drugs. In America, marijuana tops the list of the most abused illicit drugs. It is not only smoked but some people put it in food. It’s worth noting that marijuana is not active wholly but the most useful component in it is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This is the chemical responsible for the several side effects associated with Marijuana. Without this chemical, marijuana can’t stimulate (Kaplan, 1969).
Effects of Marijuana
I highly differ from the recent arguments propelled towards legalizing marijuana. There is a high temptation leading to people thinking that since many people are abusing marijuana and look healthy, the drug is harmless. I disagree with this notion since marijuana has both short and long-term side effects. a spirited campaign for the legalization of this drug has been by the Rastafarians movement. They believe that the drug has a spiritual link since they avert that it was first found on king Solomon’s grave (Lyman & Potter, 2007).
My major disagreement on the legalization of marijuana is grounded on the scientifically discovered side effects which are too serious to be ignored. These effects are classified into two categories that are long term and short-term effects. The common of these effects is the cause of hallucinations, acute memory loss, and delusions. Marijuana increases one’s heart beats leading to increased heart rate and poor coordination and uncontrollable anxiety.
The drug also leads to dry bloodshot eyes. Needless to say, the effects of marijuana are highly dependent on the duration the drug has been used. The eye-associated effects have been said to form part of drug-related accidents. My second disagreement on the legalization of marijuana is based on the long-term effects. Just like any other drug, marijuana leads to addiction hence making a person a physiological dependence machine. After addiction, it has been said that that acts as a gate away to another hard drug such as cocaine. This situation aggravates the situation of the person taking the drug making it hard to leave the drug since every action must be stimulated by the drug. Further, much consumption results in higher risks of cancer due to the tobacco content in the marijuana plant (Kuhn & Wilson n, 2008).
Socially, legalization of marijuana will give birth to many crimes associated with the effects o,f the drug. For instance failure to solve problems in a logical way may lead to physical confrontation hence causing fights at home. To add on many the marijuana addicts rarely work.this will leave them with two ways of getting their money to buy their drugs that are begging and commonly stealing it. Further, moral degradation will cause lawlessness hence our societies will experience the worst forms of social disorders. Massive breach of peace will result to fear. Grave interference with day to day activities after consuming marijuana cannot be ruled out (Lyman, & Potter, 2007).
I am strongly opposed to making marijuana legal since its continued use is said to result to mental illness. Loss of memory occurs in the early stages but at advanced abused level it leads to insanity. Some of the mental complications are quite costly in their treatments while others cause permanent head damage. Any move to legalize marijuana should be rejected since when the drug is illegal it deters many people from using it afraid that if arrested they may land in jail.Legalising marijuana will be an indirectly allowing drug abuse and the highly endangered people are the under age and subsequently the whole society at large (Kuhn & Wilson, 2008).
It will be a great mistake to fail to mention the lung complications leading to a variety of respiratory illnesses. Diseases such as lung cancer are highly attributed to marijuana smoking. Sexually the drug causes reduction in sexual pleasure which if it continues for sometime leads to loss in sexual pleasure (Kaplan, 1969).
Marijuana should not be legalized since it leads to infertility. Infertility in women which can not be cured. So many women populations will be subjected to this serious threat of leading their lives without giving birth which is a serious threat to humanity and not women. Similarly marijuana abusing leads to lower sperm count in men. Kuhn & Wilson, W. (2008)
Legalizing marijuana will increase the rates of addiction and the biggest challenge will be the efficient control of the marijuana sellers not to sell the drug to children of under age. Moreover legalizing marijuana will open and create a bad precedent which with time will lead to active campaigns. The pro marijuana legalization argue that failure to legalize it is a violation to right and freedom of determination and will but it should be borne in mind that drug abuse breed an environment of violence which interferes with the rights of other people.A person standing next to a person smoking is put at a greater risk and harm hence his/her right cannot be ignored (Kaplan, 1969). The state will be sending an approval signal to those already undecided whether to use marijuana or not. It’s a ringing bell and awake up call to those undecided to decide to start using marijuana.
Conclusion
I am persuaded to state that legalizing marijuana is a serious mistake if committed by a state and its not only morally wrong but it’s a time bomb which if let to explode can cause many effects on a country such as crimes and violence, among others. However, marijuana has its other scientific uses hence once grown for research the state must ensure strict control and restriction to the said research. Marijuana should always remain illegal up to that when we will have a morally conscious society.
References
Kaplan, J. (1969) Introduction of the Report of the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission ed. by The Honorable W. Mack worth Young,Simla: Government Central Printing Office.
Kuhn, C.,S., & Wilson, W. (2008) Buzzed: The straight facts about the most used and abused drugs from alcohol to ecstasy (3rd ed). New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Co.
Lyman, M.D., & Potter, G.W. (2007). Drugs in society (5th Ed). Cincinnati, OH: Anderson Publishing LCCN 74-84211, pp. v-vi