Running head: LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA 1

Legalization of Marijuana

Name

Institution
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Legalization of marijuana

Marijuana is a drug obtained from parts of the Cannabis plant including the leaves and

flowers. Since time immemorial, people have used Marijuana for a variety of reasons including

medical purposes and recreational needs. Marijuana is either smoked, mixed with food, or

brewed as tea (Joffe & Yancy, 2004). Irrespective of the method used to take this drug, some of

its components alter the normal functioning of the brain. Law makers continue to debate on the

suitable way to treat Marijuana with some advocating for its legalization and others opposing it

(Monte, Zane & Heard, 2015). The negative effects of using marijuana far outweigh its potential

benefits hence the need to make it illegal to save populations from its bad effects.

Joffe & Yancy (2004) argue that the proponents of the legalization of Marijuana point out

various medical and recreational benefits to justify their stance. According to the supporters of

Cannabis, it treats various medical conditions including pain, multiple sclerosis, and spasms

(Joffe & Yancy, 2004). According to some proponents of Marijuana legalization, the pain

associated with terminal illnesses such as cancer would be unbearable if not for marijuana.

Unfortunately, this argument is weak as it lacks scientific evidence (Monte, Zane & Heard,

2015).

Marijuana contains chemicals that alter the normal working of the brain. As such, the

users of this drug start to hallucinate upon taking it. Hallucinations can cause fatal effects such as

road accidents as Marijuana users are unable to judge distance and speed accurately (Monte,

Zane & Heard, 2015). Moreover, according to Joffe & Yancy (2004), scientific evidence shows

that marijuana use can trigger medical conditions such as psychosis. Psychosis makes people

incoherent in speech and can trigger delusions. Further, agitation is a common emotional

problem associated with the users of Cannabis (Joffe & Yancy, 2004).
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Indeed, marijuana causes several negative effects hence the need to make it illegal. From

the preceding assertions, the users of marijuana get hallucinations, agitation, and delusions. As

such, marijuana users can cause road accidents. The few medical and recreational benefits given

by the proponents of the legalization of marijuana lack scientific evidence and therefore

unacceptable.
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References

Joffe, A., & Yancy, W. S. (2004). Legalization of marijuana: potential impact on youth.

Pediatrics, 113(6), e632-e638.

Monte, A. A., Zane, R. D., & Heard, K. J. (2015). The implications of marijuana legalization in

Colorado. Jama, 313(3), 241-242.