Marijuana 4 Essay, Research Paper

Should marijuana in Canada be legalized? The answer is no, marijuana is not a medicine, it is a health deterrent that has harmful effects. Explaining what marijuana is and how it is used is beneficial in understanding the effects. Marijuana is made up of many chemicals that as a result prove marijuana is not safe and could kill. Marijuana should and must stay illegal or our country of Canada will feel the terrible effects nationally such as sickness, injury, and death.

Marijuana, used by an estimated 200,000,000 persons worldwide, is a resin producing variety of the hemp plant and is cultivated worldwide (Facts). The plant has glands which produce a resinous substance that contains compounds called cannabinoids, the most psychoactive and prevalent of which is commonly referred to as THC or tetrahydrocannabinol. Many people argue that marijuana is a pure substance, but in truth it is not. It is an unstable, varying complex mixture of over 400 chemicals, many of which are harmful substances, which have not been well studied either alone or in combination with each other. New harmful chemical compounds of marijuana are still being discovered. When soaked, marijuana produces over 2,000 chemicals including hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, carbon monoxide, acetaldehyde, acetone, pleure, creosol, naphtalene and well known carcinogen such as benzapyrene, benzoamthrocae, benzene and nitrosanite (Facts). Many more of these cancer causing substances are present in marijuana smoke than tobacco smoke. Obviously if Canada legalized marijuana, more deaths of cancer could result and would make the number one killing disease a greater problem, which as a result could be destructive to the future of Canada.

Effects of marijuana use at low doses are relatively non-specific and are very much influenced by individual and environmental factors. The effects of marijuana usually seem pleasant, and in low to moderate doses, induce feelings of well being, relaxation, un-coordination and sensory distortion. At higher doses, perceptual distortion, common to hallucinations can occur. Adverse effects are frequent and can occur unexpectedly even for experienced users. Adverse effects can include toxic psychosis, panic reactions, and flashbacks phenomena (Adams). If legalized, people will have less reaction time, which could cause some life threatening injuries.

Marijuana can impair motor activity, impair memory, alter time senses and reflex response time, and limit attention span. Many people feel that legalization of marijuana would be entirely safe. The available data suggested this is not so, as it occasionally produces panic reactions or even transient psychosis. Furthermore, a person driving under the influence of marijuana is a danger to themselves and others (Snyder). One study estimates that alcohol plays a part in 55% of fatal highway crashes (Marijuana). Marijuana has similar risks, but at present there is no reliable data on its importance in accidents. If smoked, mental breakdown could occur, criminal acts, and constructive activity as well. Marijuana use is also associated with a motivational syndrome where the user becomes extremely apathetic unmotivated, and unable to perform tasks which are complex or require some time to complete. Canada already has thousands of people killed by drunk drivers, why have more killed by marijuana users? It is not apparent exactly how many are killed by marijuana users because the driver is usually impaired by alcohol as well, although many people are injured as a result of marijuana use.

Cannabis users become more sensitive to the drug after several administrations and may require less of the drug to achieve desired effects. Studies of heavy frequent users have demonstrated that some tolerance can occur, where increasing larger doses of the drug are needed to maintain the desired intensity. If the user abstains for a few days, their original sensitivity to the drug effect will return. Psychological departure and craving show to occur with regular users. As a result, this leads to the use of more harmful drugs that are even more serious such as cocaine. If marijuana is legalized, does that mean other drugs that are used as a result of marijuana usage should be legalized, where does it stop? Bad decisions such as legalization result in bad occurrences such as injury and death.

Marijuana continues to be available for research. Over 12,000 scientific studies on marijuana have been published, and the drug has never been shown to be safe or effective for the treatment of any condition (Mann). As a result, scientists have proven that there are better, safer drugs available for all conditions considered. So if a drug is not proven beneficial, then why legalize it?

The sex and reproductive system is one of the most complex of any in the body. Since marijuana is such a complex drug, the difficulty of establishing which cannabinoid does what to which part, has made researchers work long days and nights. They are and have solved the puzzle that leads to terrifying results. They have found that, unlike other drugs, the unrelated routes, either directly on the organs themselves, or through the brain. Perhaps the most important structure in the brain (site of sexual responsiveness, appetite, emotions, pleasure, etc.), is a small lump of tissue in the centre of the brain, called the hypothalamus. Connected to this is still a smaller lump, the pituitary gland. As tiny an amount as a billionth of a gram affects the hypothalamus, which in turn affects the pituitary, which regulates endocrine functions and hormones controlling the sex organs such as the testes, ovaries, placenta, and other parts of the reproductive system. Marijuana produces deteriorated effects in all levels considered in the system.

Scientists have shown these abnormalities of babies as a result of THC and marijuana use included in the following (Lorimer):

+ internal hydrocephalus (water on the brain)

+ degenerative changes in cardiovascular structures, including the heart and umbilical vessels

+ renal tubular necrosis. (Renal kidney. The tubular part of the kidney structure is where the necessary parts of the nutrients and so forth in the blood are recycled, leaving only the wastes. Necrosis is degenerative leading to death).

+ Unilateral inguinal hernia. (Unilateral means one side. The inguinal is the canal through which the testes descend. A hernia is an out of place loop, which can cause blockage).

+ Major placental infraction (dead tissue).

+ Depletion of hematopoiesis in lymphoid organs and the bone marrow. (Hemato means “blood”, poiesis means “production”).

+ Hepatocellular degeneration (large in appearance of the liver cells, indicating that an insult has happened to these cells. The liver metabolizes most nutrients, makes and recycles blood protein, and has other vital functions).

+ Mild phlebitis (destructive inflammation of the brain. This means the veins could be leaky, letting toxic waste into the brain, which would harm the functions of the neurons).

+ Ectopic pancreatic tissue in the duodenal wall. (ectopic nerves in a site other than the usual. Pancreas destroyed).

+ Mild acute nephrosis (a harmful kidney condition).

These abnormalities happen as a result of marijuana usage in babies and the mother. If this can happen to them then it is obvious that marijuana cannot be beneficial to any one. Isn t this enough proof to stop legalization? Basic results of babies who are contracted with marijuana usage are small in size, microcephaly ( small head size), small eye openings, and multiple dysmorphic features. If marijuana is legalized some mothers will feel it is okay to use and the innocent baby will be affected for life.

The Constitution Act was made for every citizen in Canada to have the right to life,

liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Bill of Rights was for the process of making specific guarantees to citizens. They forbid the government to make unwarranted entry into dwelling places, personal property, except when very clear reasons are approved by the courts. These rights are made to make people feel safe, secure, and sheltered from public view in the privacy of his or her home and in the public. As a result, if marijuana is legalized this will go against the Bill as alcohol already has. Marijuana is not a drug to play around with. Decisions must be made for the betterment of the society. Marijuana is addictive, it adversely affects the immune system, and leads to the use of other drugs, such as cocaine. Marijuana has also been proven to cause cancer, including cancer of the lungs, mouth, lip and tongue. Studies show that someone who smokes five joints per week may be taking in as many cancer causing chemicals as someone who smokes a full pack of cigarettes every day. Marijuana also causes respiratory diseases and mental disorders such as schizophrenia and other psychoses, depression, panic attacks, hallucinations, paranoia, hostility, depersonalization, flashbacks, decreased cognitive performance, disconnected thoughts, delusions, and impaired memory. Since marijuana impairs coordination and judgment, 15% of those engaged in accidents are under the influence of marijuana and 17% are under both marijuana and alcohol, which leads to a major cause of accidents. Babies born to women who smoke marijuana during pregnancy have an increased incidence of leukemia, low birth weight and other abnormalities. Obviously marijuana cannot be legalized and if it is, people s lives will deteriorate dramatically.

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