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Should marijuana be legalized or not ?

   Cover Letter        

   Due to the various viewpoints on marijuana’s benefits and drawbacks, it has 

become a hot topic; therefore, my position is that marijuana shouldn’t be allowed. 

A substance that enters your body and travels to the brain is the cannabis plant. 

People use marijuana because it includes the psychoactive substance THC, which 

makes users feel pleased, relaxed, or disconnected from reality. Marijuana shouldn’t 

be legalized because of the damage it does to the human brain and cells. Regular 

marijuana users may develop breathing problems similar to those reported by 

tobacco smokers because marijuana smoke irritates the lungs.  A person’s behavior 

may change if they inhale the chemical THC into their lungs, which causes it to travel 

through their bloodstream and reach their brain. Some marijuana strains, particularly 

those high in THC, can send our brains into a panicked “fight or flight” response. My 

main motivation for conducting this research is that I have observed some of my 

close friends develop marijuana addictions and experience related problems, such 

as poor attendance in class, a change in their communication style, and a sense of 

incompleteness when using marijuana. One of the main causes of kids smoking 

marijuana is despair, which they would frequently experience. They would seek the 

substance out at the time without understanding the negative effects it has on a 

Person.

                 Because it is so simple to obtain marijuana for those whose brains aren’t 

even developed enough to use it, and because legalizing the drug would make it 

even simpler for those without the necessary knowledge of the effects of pod 

smoking to use, teenagers are the ones who would be most affected by its 

Legalization. In addition to marijuana use, there is peer pressure to smoke other 

forms of cigarettes and nicotine. Outside of school, teenagers can often find their 

peers on playgrounds, in their neighborhoods, at shopping centers, and in other 

open areas. The argument is that a lot of them don’t understand why they develop 

drug addictions because they either believe smoking is cool or because the people 

they hang out with influence them to believe smoking is fine because it is a typical 

aspect of high school life. If their peers are incorrect, they might even bully them for 

being stupid, boring, uninteresting, or out of date, or they might make fun of them for 

not smoking. Peer pressure doesn’t always mean that you would have to force 

someone to do anything; it may also involve doing something frequently that is 

tempting again, similar to how secondhand smoking affects people even if they don’t 

smoke. Peer pressure need not be coerced; family members who consume 

marijuana frequently may also contribute significantly to young people’s addiction to 

the drug. Therefore, marijuana shouldn’t  be legalized.

A contentious issue has been whether or not marijuana should be 

legalized.The cannabis plant is a substance that enters your body and reaches the 

brain.The larger part of clients of weed do so on the grounds that the high it 

produces causes them to feel satisfied, quiet, or far off from the real world.It contains 

THc, a chemical that makes people feel happy. Additionally, using marijuana can 

have a negative impact on one’s mental and emotional well-being.These side effects 

typically subside after a few hours of taking the medication. Patients undergoing 

chemotherapy receive the majority of marijuana recommendations from 

physicians. However, this does not give people permission to use marijuana to get 

high or to take it without a prescription from a doctor or specialist.Cannabis can be 

applied topically in the form of creams, ointments, or sprays by doctors.Since 

marijuana is safer than smoking it and becoming addicted, it should not be legalized 

because it contains harmful substances like THC.

                   Due to the harm it causes to the brain and cells of the human body, 

marijuana should not be legalized.The smoke from marijuana irritates the lungs, and 

regular users may experience breathing issues similar to those experienced by 

tobacco smokers. Daily cough phlegm, more frequent lung ailments, and a larger 

chance of lung infections are some of these issues.  As stated from Stepahnie 

Watson, “Is Marijuana safe?”, “Marijuana smoke is also filled with many of the same 

chemicals such as tobacco smoke, including ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, and 

formaldehyde. Some of these chemicals are known to cause cancer.” Marijuana can 

harm small blood vessels, cause scarring, and destroy lung tissues. Similar to 

tobacco smoke, marijuana smoke contains a number of harmful chemicals that can 

irritate your lungs, such as hydrogen cyanide and ammonia. An individual can 

likewise develop malignant growth because of cell harm and it be undetected for 

quite a while. It also states, “But people who smoke pot do show signs of damage 

and Precancerous changes in their lungs, especially if they also smoke cigarettes.” 

Cannabis and some of its substances alter the immune system and the body’s 

capacity to fight against infections, A healthy existence might be very challenging 

due to bacteria and fungi.

                    When the chemical THC is inhaled into human lungs, it travels into the 

bloodstream and enters the brain it can lead to behavioural change in a person. 

Some strains of marijuana – especially those with lots of THC – can trigger panicky 

“fight or flight” responses in our brains. These reactions seem to be worse in certain 

people and after using certain high-THC, low-CBD strains. The heritage Foundation 

argues that ” clinical studies reveal that long-term, moderate consumption of the drug 

impairs short-term memory, slows reaction time, increases the risk of heart attack, 

and can result in birth defects, strokes, and damage to the respiratory system and 

brain.” Heritage foundations put a light onto my thesis why marijuana should not be 

legalized not only does it have long term effect but also short term effects such as 

Due to the usage of marijuana crimes rates get higher. 

                  It makes sense to assume that marijuana use would harm physical health 

in a similar way to cigarette use. Despite the absence of nicotine, marijuana smoke 

still irritates the lungs. Additionally, it makes reason to be concerned about the 

prospect that smoking marijuana could be just as detrimental given the fact that 

smoking tobacco has been connected to lung injury, cancer, emphysema, heart 

disease, pregnancy problems, and low birth weight, among other conditions. In the 

text Marijuana As Medicine, Alison may, Janet joy states “marijuana joints have been 

shown to deliver at least four times as much tar to the lungs as tobacco cigarettes of 

equivalent weight. This difference is due to the lack of filters on joints and because 

marijuana smokers typically inhale a larger volume of smoke and take it more deeply 

into the lungs than tobacco smokers do. Marijuana smokers also tend to hold smoke 

in for a time before exhaling, exposing the lungs to even greater levels of 

cancer-causing agents.” Alison May and janet Joy came across very valuable health 

factors during their research about Marijuan as Medicine, how the mrijuana smoke is 

4 times more harmful than tobacco smoking, because it takes more intense pull and 

longer lung capability to feel “high”(A marijuana high is associated with feelings of 

relaxation and contentment) . Even though it has many side effects but often people 

are lured into the temptation of being away from the world, because once a person is 

high it changes how they react and see things , its usually last for a couple of hours 

but the temptation of the happiness people find in it makes them come back to it 

more and more. Main reasons for people smoking marijuana is usually to hide from 

problems people don’t want to face even if its for a couple of hours but, they don’t 

realize about the circumstances and problems that come with the usage of 

Marijuana. Another example from Janet joy and Alison May in Marijuana as Medicine 

“Habitual smoking of either marijuana or tobacco damages the lining of the bronchial 

airways. After continuous exposure to smoke, the delicate tissues along these 

passageways become red and swollen. Smoking also transforms the cells of the 

bronchial airways. These passages are normally lined with ciliated cells, whose 

hairlike projections move rapidly to sweep mucus toward the mouth. But when 

people smoke, these cells are replaced by others that secrete copious amounts of 

thick mucus, which can only be expelled by the notorious “smoker’s cough.” Due to 

heavy smoking of marijuana smoke the damage it causes to human bronchial airway 

and cells are unbelievable, it brings out an outrageous smokers cough which never   

ends good because it starts with a normal cough slowly leading to  blood cough 

ripping through nerves and tissues making very hard for a person to breathe and 

leading to even worse health issues. When it comes to Marijuana and if it should be 

legalized my beliefs stays it should not be legalized because there’s way more harm 

in it being legalized then benefits, both physically and mentally it is such an addictive 

drug that it is almost impossible to get rid off once a person starts the use of it 

Regularly, so in hence marijuana shouldn’t be legalized.

                 Teenage marijuana use is a far greater controversy than marijuana use 

among adults. It would be lovely if there was a single, obvious reason why kids and 

young adolescents start using marijuana, but there are actually a variety of reasons 

why teenagers decide to start doing it. Teenagers are less likely to smoke marijuana 

if they live in a safe neighborhood, especially in high school, when most students are 

first introduced to the substance. It is crucial to inform teenagers about marijuana 

use and the damage it does to brain development because high school is a setting 

where people frequently interact with a diverse range of people from various 

communities and backgrounds. In the article why marijuana use in teens is harmful,

Buddy T states “ if they live in a neighborhood where they see drug activity going on, 

teens are less likely to express disapproval of drug use and become more likely to 

try drugs themselves.” A safe community, as described in the essay, is important in 

preventing teens from using marijuana. Teenagers who are frequently exposed to the 

substance at a young age typically begin using marijuana at some point during their 

high school careers, and it is an addiction that doesn’t go away easily, it hinders 

students’ concentration in their studies, causes students to miss class, and it is a 

drug that, if one becomes addicted, very easily kills one’s potential. In the essay 

Buddy also states “Peer pressure to smoke pot remains a strong influence as well. If 

they have friends who are using marijuana, they are more likely to try it themselves. 

There’s a tendency to adopt the attitude that “everyone is doing it” and it’s part of the 

normal teenage experience.” peer pressure to smoke applies to other types of 

cigarette and nicotine use as well as marijuana use. Teens frequently find peers 

outside of school, including on playgrounds, in neighborhoods, malls, and other 

public places. The point is that many of them don’t realize why they become addicted 

to drugs because they either think smoking is cool or because the peers they hang 

out with lead them to believe that smoking is acceptable because it is a normal part 

of high school life. If the peers are wrong, they may even make fun of them for not 

being a member of the smoking group, or they may even experience bullying for 

being lame, dull, uninteresting, or out of date. This is another excellent argument 

why marijuana should not be legalized because if it were, it would be much simpler 

for teenagers to get and use on a regular basis due to peer pressure and emotional 

manipulation. Peer pressure doesn’t always need to come from outside of world it 

could come from family as well , As with secondhand smoking, where a person 

doesn’t have to smoke in order to be impacted by it, peer pressure doesn’t always 

mean that you would have to compel someone to do anything; it may also involve 

doing something frequently that is enticing repeatedly. Peer pressure doesn’t have to 

be coerced; if family members smoke marijuana frequently, this may play a 

significant role in why young people become addicted to marijuana use. In the same 

essay Buddy T also states “ Children who have family members who smoke or express 

approval of marijuana are much more likely to begin using marijuana than those with 

no family involvement with the drug.” As said in the remark, family members also 

play a part in introducing youngsters to marijuana use and smoking. Parents and 

other family members need to be aware of the role models they provide for the 

teenagers and children in their care. If they don’t, they may start smoking marijuana 

out of curiosity and become addicted, which could lead to a variety of other issues 

like stealing from their parents’ wallets to buy marijuana or even smoking their 

parents’ weed behind their back. Consequently, legalizing marijuana is not a good 

idea.         

                   Cannabis’ supporters may claim that it helps with chemotherapy-related 

discomfort, nausea, and muscle spasms. Many people think marijuana helps 

alleviate despair and anxiety. According to Salomeh Keyhani and other authors 

report, “Risks and Advantage of Marijuana Use: A National Survey of U.S. People, 

“About 81% of U.S. adults believe marijuana has at least 1 benefit. The most 

common benefit cited was pain management(66%). And relief from anxiety, stress, 

and depression(47%).” But this isn’t a good enough justification for legalizing it. 

Given that marijuana is an addictive narcotic, legalizing it could lead to an increase in 

violence in society. Legalization of marijuana can be harmful to both the user and 

others around them. In society, legal medicines are most frequently consumed. 

People adore the feeling that marijuana produces and assert that it relieves their 

anxiety and solves all of their issues since marijuana contains compounds that make 

one feel relaxed and make them euphoric. For a brief period of time, marijuana use 

might serve as a diversion from reality, but continued use can impair memory and 

reasoning abilities.  

                   Usually, the first thing that comes to mind when we hear the word 

marijuana or cannabis is that it’s a substance with only possible risks and damages; 

Nobody ever talks about the benefits it offers. Cannabis has a variety of potential 

advantages, including the ability to stimulate appetite and weight gain in persons 

with AIDS, cancer, and anorexia nervosa, as well as other conditions that are painful 

or incurable but can be temporarily relieved by marijuana use. In a research “ 61 

Potential Benefits of Marijuana and Its Cannabinoids that Are Backed By Scientific 

Research” by Winston Peki states  “Many studies show marijuana use is directly 

correlated with increased appetite and weight. The exact mechanism is still unclear. 

But we do know there’s a high concentration of cannabinoid receptors in brain parts 

controlling food intake.” Ingesting marijuana aids in weight gain because the 

brain-controlling ingredient causes a person to feel extremely hungry. Once a person 

has smoked marijuana, their appetite increases and it helps many people who have 

a very tiny appetite acquires weight more quickly. Another example by Winston Peki 

“A 1988 experimental study found that smoked marijuana increased total daily 

caloric intake by 40%” In light of this, it is safe to say that marijuana is a very 

effective treatment for people who are depressed or anxious about their weight or 

appetite. Marijuana may help these people overcome their weight insecurities, so 

legalizing marijuana would be very beneficial to those who frequently worry about 

their appearance due to their weight.

                For ages, people have utilized marijuana as a form of medicine. 

Pain, inflammation, anxiety, and nausea are just a few of the disorders and 

diseases that the plant has been used to cure. Cannabis alters a person’s 

mood in a matter of seconds after getting high; it changes a person’s 

viewpoint and makes them happy because they feel as though they are in a 

completely different world. People who are depressed frequently use 

marijuana to escape reality and ease the inner demons they fight. In an article “ The 

Benefits And Uses Of Marijuana As A Medical Treatment ” by Samuel he states

“The active ingredient in marijuana, THC, is absorbed into the bloodstream and 

produces a variety of effects, including relaxation, euphoria, and increased appetite. 

THC also has a number of medical benefits, including pain relief and 

anti-inflammatory properties. “ The THC and CBD in marijuana help a person to not 

focus on their pain and be in a completely different world, as stated, so legalizing 

marijuana is a big help to those with these problems and should be done. Marijuana 

is very consistent when it comes to helping people with the issues associated with 

depression and physical pain.

                  As a result, this drug should not be legalized, Not only because it’s bad for 

health but, It also affects a person’s mood and leads them to have behavioral 

differences. It can be a harmful addiction which can affect a person’s educational life 

and social life. Making this Drug legalization can hurt a lot of the population’s health. 

Marijuana leads to harming not only adults but also youngers, harming their brain 

growth and bad influences due to the peer they are usually with and leading them to 

get addicted to a drug that leads to many destruction of a person physical and 

mental health .So therefore Marijuana shouldn’t be legalized .

                                                 RESOURCES

1.How Pot Affects Your Mind and Body . Effects of Marijuana Use: How Weed Affects Your Mind & Body (webmd.com)

2.Why We Shouldn’t Legalize Marijuana. Why We Shouldn’t Legalize Marijuana | The Heritage Foundation

3. Marijuana as Medicine by janet joy and Alison May. HOW HARMFUL IS MARIJUANA? – Marijuana as Medicine? – NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov)

4. Why Marijuana Use in Teens Is Harmful. Why Marijuana Use in Teens Is Harmful (verywellmind.com)

5. Risks and Benefits of Marijuana Use

A National Survey of U.S. Adults. 

6. 61 Potential Benefits of Marijuana and Its Cannabinoids that Are Backed By Scientific Research. 61 Potential Benefits of Marijuana that Are Backed By Science (herbonaut.com)

7. The Benefits And Uses Of Marijuana As A Medical Treatment – excel-medical.com