The Legalization of Marijuana

Thesis Statement:
Marijuana has long been thought of as a dangerous plant that puts people's lives in
jeopardy, and as nothing more than an additional problem to be dealt with in today's
society. Cannabis, on the other hand, has proven to outweigh its negatives with numerous
other benefits, based on its economic value and medical benefits.
Should Question: Should the Marijuana plant be legalized?

I. Argument: Health Risks of Smoked Marijuana

a) Marijuana smoke is an irritant to the throat and lungs, and it can cause a severe
cough when used. It also contains volatile chemicals and tar at levels
comparable to tobacco smoke, raising concerns about the risk of cancer and
lung disease.

b) Marijuana use can lead to the development of a marijuana use disorder, which
in severe cases can lead to addiction. According to recent data, 30 percent of
marijuana users may have a marijuana use disorder of some kind.

II. Counter Argument:

a) There is very little evidence that smoking marijuana poses a significant health
risk. Despite the fact that cannabis has been widely smoked in Western
countries for more than four decades, there have been no reported cases of
lung cancer or emphysema attributed to marijuana.

b) Another comprehensive review of the evidence, published last year in the

journal Clinical Psychology Review, found that marijuana could help people
who are addicted to alcohol or opioids overcome their addictions.

III. Refute:

a) Marijuana smoking clearly harms the human lungs. Smoking marijuana causes
chronic bronchitis, and marijuana smoke has been shown to injure the cell
linings of the large airways, which could explain why smoking marijuana causes
symptoms like chronic cough, phlegm production, wheezing, and acute
bronchitis.
 b) Marijuana cannot help people who are addicted to alcohol or opioids. It has
long been referred to as a gateway drug because users of harder drugs
frequently start with marijuana. Teenagers are smoking more marijuana than
ever before as marijuana abuse continues to rise. Teens who use marijuana
are more likely to develop an addiction.

I. Argument: The Impact of Legalizing Marijuana in Economy and Society

a) Employee turnover, absenteeism, and illness are all factors that contribute to a
decrease in productivity among marijuana-impaired workers. While the effects of
marijuana and alcohol on productivity may vary depending on the job task,
frequency of use, and personal characteristics of users, studies have found that
both pose similar risks to productivity.

b) Legalizing marijuana has a significant negative impact on our society because it is

the source of addiction and the start of violence. Marijuana increases the likelihood
of paranoid thinking and psychosis. Paranoid behavior, in turn, raises the risk of
paranoid behavior and is linked to aggressive and violent behavior. Marijuana use
leads to increased aggressiveness, paranoia, and personality changes, all of which
lead to violent behavior (more suspicious, aggressive, and anger).

II. Counter Argument:

a) Working-age older workers are much less likely to claim workers' compensation
benefits after recreational marijuana is legalized. They're able to work more
efficiently. The advantages are more widespread. Working increases household
income, overall health, and life satisfaction on average.

b) Scholars have done a great deal of research directly examining the link between
marijuana use and crime, and for the most part, they haven't discovered one. A
more recent Justice Department-funded study of the effects of legalization in State
found that "neither cannabis-related crime nor more serious offenses seemed to
be affected by legalization." Numerous other papers have found evidence that
marijuana use and legalization may lead to less violent crime.

III. Refute:
a) Marijuana use has a negative impact on our productivity. Marijuana use reduces a
person's short-term motivation to work for money, according to a new study from
University College London (UCL). Despite the fact that popular opinion supports
these findings, this is the first research study to show that cannabis has short-term
 motivational effects. It was discovered that smoking even a single 'joint' has
negative consequences.

b) According to new research published online ahead of print in the journal

Psychological Medicine, long-term cannabis use may lead to violent behavior as a
result of changes in brain function caused by years of smoking weed. The findings
show that continued cannabis use is linked to a seven-fold increased risk of
committing violent crimes in the future. And if marijuana is legalized, and that is
how it causes people to become violent, it will have a significant negative impact
on our lives; many lives will be ruined as a result of substance addiction; many
young people will become involved in addiction and illegal activities; and our nation
will further fall.

IV. Conclusion

In Conclusion, Marijuana should not be legalized because it contributes to crime

and causes mental and physical health issues. Legalizing marijuana will not solve
all of the problems. On the contrary, the Philippines is not prepared to legalize it
because it would result in a much larger number of users and abusers of the drug,
making it impossible to live a peaceful and healthy life as a community. It will be
disastrous for our youth, who are already suffering from drug use, and it has yet to
be legalized. Rather than succumbing to the pressures of society and marijuana
users, we should work to raise awareness of these issues. Let us take a stand
against marijuana legalization now so we don't have to end up regretting.
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