Astonishing Statistics of Marijuana Use in Minors

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In 2009, 29 million Americans ages 12 and over have reported to using marijuana at least once within the previous year. That number alone is an astonishing statistic on marijuana users. Although marijuana has been a drug with increasing popularity especially throughout the past couple of years due to the legalization in some states. In November of 2012 history was made when Washington and Colorado both legalized marijuana for recreational use. Although marijuana is considered to be a Schedule 1 drug, which means it has a high potential for drug abuse and addictive properties, it is still considered by many that it is not harmful and is in fact the #1 most used illegal drug in the United States. Approximately half of the American population believe that marijuana should be legalized for recreational use. So I ask you should marijuana be legal or illegal? How about for recreational or medicinal use?

Why should marijuana be legal? Marijuana is a controversial topic due to it being considered a Schedule 1 drug on the Controlled Substances Act in 1972. The pros of marijuana include many such as; the use for health benefits, increased job opportunities and more money, and also reduced crime rates. Firstly, marijuana was thought to have absolutely “no accepted medical use”, as of today medical marijuana is used for treatment for symptoms of AIDS, cancer, MS, glaucoma, and many other conditions. Medical marijuana is now considered to be a safe and also effective treatment allowing those who are suffering to experience some relief and comfort. Research has focused on only two cannabinoids which are THC and CBD. Most people have heard of THC and what it does to your body. THC has currently been made available in pill form. This pill is u...

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...ist of pros and cons to the legalization of marijuana. We need to take a step back as a country and go over what makes something legal and what makes something illegal. As time has gone by the definition of legal has become somewhat irrelevant and arbitrary constantly changing definition. Legalization of marijuana is an arbitrary argument in which the government will decide what is legal. As I have stated above the legalization of marijuana as of right now is inevitable. Maybe within the next couple of years there will be more studies done to know the harmful and addictive properties of marijuana and how it affects the body in many different ways. So my question to you is, do you believe marijuana should be legal or illegal? Should it be used for recreational or medicinal use? The answer depends on personal preferences and what you choose to believe or disbelieve.

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