Argumentative Essay: The Legalization Of Marijuana

Marijuana, also known as weed and as cannabis, is a green, brown, and gray mixture of dried shredded leaves, stems, seeds and flowers of the hemp plant Cannabis Sativa. It is the most common illicit drug, and the third most used recreational drug, behind alcohol and tobacco (Steffens). Marijuana is a very popular drug with both physical effects and psychological effects, and it should be legalized. There are many physical effects of using marijuana, several of which are beneficial to users. Therefore, marijuana should not be an illegal drug. Use of the drug can cause bloodshot eyes and dry throat and mouth. It can also cause a slight heart rate increase. When marijuana is smoked, it can cause tightness in the chest. It can also cause tiredness,

“Psychological effects tend to predominate, with the user commonly experiencing a mild euphoria” (“Marijuana”). Psychological effects of using the drug are generally stronger than physical effects. Happiness is often one of these effects. “Alterations in vision and judgment result in distortions of time and space. Acute intoxication may occasionally induce visual hallucinations, anxiety, depression, extreme variability of mood, paranoid reactions, and psychoses lasting four to six hours” (“Marijuana”). Users may also experience impaired judgement and vision. This can result in misinterpretation of time and of space. Consuming large amounts of marijuana can also cause anxiety, depression, moodiness, paranoia, detachment from reality, and rarely hallucinations. "Others, such as the Rastafari, use it in religious ceremonies as an aid to meditation" (“Marijuana”). Marijuana is used in religious ceremonies to help with meditating. One example of a religious group that uses it is the Rastafari group. Religious groups should be able to continue their traditional, long-standing use of the drug. Marijuana affects its users in many psychological

“Many people see nothing wrong with using marijuana for enjoyment and have campaigned for years to have the drug legalized. Others, however, believe marijuana use has personal and social costs that outweigh its recreational value” (Steffens). Although many people have no issue with marijuana and think it should be legalized, some think its personal and social costs outweigh the recreational value. “Between 2.7 percent and 4.9 percent of the world population, making marijuana the world's most widely consumed illicit drug and the third most used recreational drug, after alcohol and tobacco... In addition, the number of marijuana users continues to grow worldwide” (Steffens). Marijuana is the most widely used illegal drug and the third most used recreational drug, while continuing to grow in popularity. “There are 225 million people who take drugs without problems, mostly marijuana. They prefer it to alcohol, and it's possibly less damaging. A very high proportion who take it are not addicts” (Saner). Many people use drugs without experiencing any issues. This is especially true for marijuana, which could be better for users than alcohol. Most people who use marijuana are not addicted to the drug. If marijuana is less damaging than alcohol, it should be legal as well. According to a National Survey, fifty-three percent of teens use illicit drugs and thirty-seven percent of teens use marijuana (Marijuana and Illicit).