Marijuana Should Remain Illegal

Marijuana is the most commonly abused illegal drug in the United States and around the World. As of 2010, Marijuana was the leading cause of substance dependence other than alcohol in the U.S. In 2008, marijuana use accounted for 4.2 million of the 7 million people aged 12 or older classified with dependence on or abuse of an illicit drug. This means that about two thirds of Americans suffering from any substance use disorder are suffering from marijuana abuse or marijuana dependence. If the U.S. were to legalize marijuana, the number of marijuana users would increase. In 2010 there were 15.2 million marijuana users in comparison to 129 million alcohol users and 70.9 million tobacco users. Though the number of marijuana users might not quickly climb to the current numbers for alcohol and tobacco, if marijuana was legalized, the increase in users would be both large and rapid with subsequent increases in addiction.

Resources:
Why We Should Not Legalize Marijuana

Marijuana is Bad for Your Mental Health

Marijuana's recent popularity may be largely based on the perception that it is safer than cigarettes and alcohol, according to an editorial in the British Medical Journal. But studies show marijuana is not the harmless drug many believe it is, it can have a negative impact on your mental health. A recent study found that marijuana users have abnormal brain structure and poor memory and that chronic marijuana abuse may lead to brain changes resembling schizophrenia. In a study of 50,000 Swedish military draftees, the use of marijuana during adolescence was associated with a 30% increase in risk of developing schizophrenia. This same study also showed that more frequent marijuana use gives a higher risk of schizophrenia. A separate study by Northwestern University reported that the younger the person starts using marijuana, the worse the effects are. By legalizing Marijuana in Pennsylvania the government is only encouraging Marijuana use and the risk for poor mental health and schizophrenia increases.

  

                           

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Resources:
5 Reasons Marijuana Should Remain Illegal
Marijuana use may be harmful to mental health

Marijuana is Bad for Your Physical Health

Marijuana should remain illegal in Pennsylvania because marijuana use is terrible for your physical health. It is even more toxic than cigarette smoke. According to Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, smoking a single marijuana joint is equivalent to smoking 2.5 to 5 cigarettes in terms of damage to the lungs, largely due to differences in how pot and cigarette users smoke. The Guardian reported July 31 of a study done by researchers at the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand. The study consisted of 339 adult volunteers dived into four groups: marijuana-only smokers, tobacco-only smokers, marijuana and tobacco smokers, and nonsmokers. The researchers found that the deep drag taken by marijuana users, along with their preference for holding smoke in before exhaling can cause problems in the lungs. These problems consist of obstructed airways and hyperinflation of the lungs. The lack of filters on marijuana joints also contributes to lung problems. Regular users are hit with devastating lung problems as much as 20 years earlier than cigarette smokers.. Even small amounts of marijuana can cause temporary sterility and it has a terrible impact on the babies of women who smoke including: birth defects, mental abnormalities and increased risk of leukemia in children.

Marijuana is 50-70% more cancer-causing than cigarettes.

Inflamed bronchus can be a result of marijuana use.

Resources:
5 Reasons Marijuana Should Remain Illegal
Study Says Smoking Marijuana Worse for Lungs than Cigarettes