The Truth of Marijuana

Marijuana (also known as cannabis) is a common street and recreational drug that comes from the marijuana plant: the hemp plant cannabis sativa. The pharmacologically active ingredient in marijuana is tetra-hydro-cannabinol (THC). Marijuana is used to heighten perception, affect mood, and relax. In America the two greatest debates are: the legalizing of marijuana and the harmfulness of the drug.
Should marijuana be legalized or not? In few countries, they have already legalized this drug. Why? Some may say that limiting the use of the drug is denying one of their personal freedom; yet another would argue that illegal use of drugs was (is) not a freedom because it’s against the law. Legalization would give the economy another way of making money, taxing and selling of the drug and related paraphernalia. However, the sale of paraphernalia is already happening. Small cigars (wrapping of cigar papers), pipes and bongs are sold daily; also a pharmaceutical product, Marinol, that contains synthetic THC, is available as a prescription medication. It comes in the form of a pill (eliminating the harmful and cancer-causing chemicals present when marijuana is smoked) legal distribution of such items makes people believe that the economy has made it acceptable for people the sell and indulge in drugs such as marijuana. Yet the legalization of marijuana would put many drug dealers out of business. Economy would have control over the situation, the FDA or others could regulate the quality and safety of drugs. Aside from recreational drug use, Cannabis has several industrial and commercial uses, many many products can be made from the crop. Unfortunately, many cons are: Marijuana is often used as a stepping-stone drug, which can lead to heroin, cocaine, or other harder drugs. The side effects include red eyes, lethargy, and uncoordinated body movements; stoned driving and other dangers would be increased. More widespread use would increase the dangers of secondhand smoke-damage to bystanders. Legalization of marijuana could eventually lead to the legalization of harder drugs or all drugs altogether.
The second great debate of marijuana is health and medical issues. Not aware of the long and short term effects of their uses, many people smoke, eat, and even inhale marijuana consistently throughout their entire day. Many make jokes about the use of marijuana, saying things like “If u nervous, hit the blunt” or “My day is normal when I’m high, I couldn't function if i don’t smoke”. A recent study of marijuana users who began using in adolescence revealed a profound deficit in connections between brain areas responsible for learning and memory. The lost cognitive abilities were not restored in those who quit smoking marijuana as adults. Asking a user, their response is normally no health issues. Surprisingly many say they smoke before school and their performance is better than going sober. Marijuana raises heart rate by 20-100 percent shortly after smoking; this effect can last up to 3 hours increasing the risk of a heart attack in the first hour after smoking the drug. This may be due to increased heart rate as well as the effects of marijuana on heart rhythms, causing palpitations and arrhythmias. Marijuana smoke is an irritant to the lungs, and frequent marijuana