Essay of Marijuana.

Ohkay, so. about two weeks ago was my second time getting caught stoned my parents so, they made me write an essay about the long-term effects of marijuana. Wondering if you guys this this'll satisfy their crazy needs.

The Effects of Marijuana

Marijuana is the common name of a drug made from a plant called Cannabis sativa. Within marijuana, there is a chemical called THC. The THC is what causes the mind-altering aspects of smoking marijuana. The part of the plant that is smoked is made up of dried particles from the plant. The amount of THC on the plant determines how strong the drug will be. Also, some other things that factor the strength of the drug are the type of plant, the weather, the soil, and the time of harvest. It can be argued that the marijuana today is much stronger then it was in the early 1970’s, although many studies show it to be true.
The earlier that people start using marijuana, the more damaging it can be to your body. First of all, for a young person to use marijuana, it is believed that is can be a “gateway” drug to other, more dangerous drugs such as crack cocaine, heroine, etc. Also, to a youth who is in school, marijuana, if used regularly, causes one to lose interest in other things that are important, such as schoolwork. It causes them to not care about school and it is quite noticeable when their grades drop. Studies show that anything that one learned during the time that they were high, they will not remember. When smoked regularly, marijuana can become addictive, which would also affect ones academics even more so. Not everyone who uses marijuana becomes addicted. In 1999, about 222,000 people entered drug treatment programs to help with their smoking of marijuana. Also, another danger for the youth, is that some marijuana can be laced with other, harder drugs such as acid, crack cocaine, and heroine. On top of the addiction part of it, the whole “smoking” part of it is very bad for your health. Smoking marijuana and cigarettes are known to cause heart disease and lung cancer. Studies indicate that a marijuana smoker who does five joints a week is taking in as many cancer-causing chemicals as someone who smokes a pack on cigarettes a day.
Along with all of the health matters of smoking marijuana, there are also many long-term affects from smoking it on a regular basis. When someone has been smoking it for a long time they are obviously dependant on the drug, and the drug can become the most important part of their life, putting their jobs and personnel life in the backseat. Also, one may need more of the drug to get the same affect after smoking it regularly, which is causing more smoke into their lungs. Even 24 hours after smoking marijuana one may still be intellectual impaired. For someone who has smoked marijuana regularly, if they stopped suddenly, they would become normal after four weeks. People who are trying to stop smoking marijuana often report irritability, sleeplessness and anxiety. Also, they notice increased aggression, being at its worst about one week after they last smoked marijuana. There is currently no medication to treat marijuana addiction, but it is believed that developing a medication that will block the effects of the THC is possible. Long term usage of marijuana can limit your body’s ability to fight infection. It can also increase the risk of developing certain mental illnesses.
Also, another danger with marijuana is driving while under the influence of the drug. Because marijuana affects your alertness, ability to concentrate, coordination, and abiltity to react quickly, driving is a major danger. In Memphis, TN, researchers found that, out of 150 reckless drives that they pulled over, 33 percent of them were under the influence of marijuana. And 12 percent of drivers tested positive for marijuana and cocaine. Data showed that while smoking marijuana, suspects showed the same lack of coordination as someone who had too much to drink. The percentage of young adults driving under the influence of marijuana incresed from 2000 to 2001. There are also mixed opinions on this topic. Some test results have showed that of accidents involving 7,934 drivers, none of the accidents could be blamed on marijuana abuse. They believe that marijuana causes the driver to slow down, and be very careful with their driving, so many, believe that driving under the incluence of the drug is not a hazard, but regardless, it still should not be done.
After doing all of this research on the topic of marijuana, I know understand the full effects of the drug and the dangers that it presents. Now that I know the full extent of the role that drug plays on your life as a long-term thing, I can now make better choices when offered the oppurtunity to use marijuana. Before now, I never knew all of the health issues that it brought to your life, and the addiction role it plays. I am glad that I wrote this essay, becasue marijuana is such a heavy part of our town's culture, it is good to understand how the drug works.



and yes. i highly doubt that you gusy will even read it. Thought I'd post it anyways.