Legalizing Marijuana

Jehan Putrus

27 November 2011

Legalizing Marijuana

The legalization of marijuana is a debate that has been around for many years. From propositions to rallies, this drug has been a major problem for California ever since the discovery of it. There are many aspects about it that are helpful, but in the end it will do more harm than good. There are medical and economical benefits that are associated legalizing this drug, but the negative aspects of it weigh out in the end. Legalizing marijuana will hurt our communities in so many ways, such as raising criminal activity and creating addictions to it. Marijuana should remain illegal for everyone besides those who need it for medical purposes and for that purpose only.

Legalizing marijuana has been a controversial issue that has surrounded the state of California for many years, and will continue to do so until legalized. If it became legalized, the health of not only the people of California but also the nation as a whole will drastically change for the worse. Drugs such as marijuana are illegal for a reason, with the reason being that it is harmful towards health. Legalizing drugs--even if only marijuana--will increase the harm that is already suffered by a drug-using public by allowing it to be used to an even larger amount of people (Pace). A nationally representative sample of 6,728 individuals have been evaluated by Dr. Brente Moore and the National Cancer Institute. This analysis has concluded that, “a history of more than 100 lifetime episodes of smoking marijuana, with at least one episode in the past month, increased an individual’s risk of chronic bronchitis, coughing on most days, wheezing, chest sounds without a cold, and increased phlegm” (Zickler). Within an hour of use, the heart rate increases and the high blood pressure can lead to heart attacks, especially with those who have existing heart conditions (Clare.PhD Rebecca J. Frey, and Jacqueline L. Longe). These two findings...