Pro Marijuana Debate

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Parliament Debate: Opposition to the Legalization of Marijuana I argue in opposition to the statement that Texas should legalize marijuana and reject the proposal that would change the status quo by recognizing smokable marijuana as an accepted drug. I argue this because marijuana is not a safe or healthy alternative to other drugs and has not been scientifically tested with the results that classify it as useful for medicinal purposes. (TAB) According to Mark Kraus, a physician in Waterbury, Connecticut, and a member of the board of directors of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, “smoked marijuana contains many of the same toxic or carcinogenic compounds that have been linked to lung cancer and emphysema” (Kraus). Kraus also states…show more content…
Permitting "medicalization" of crude marijuana would result in many negative consequences that the Federal drug laws are designed to prevent. Medicalization changes society's attitudes toward the perceived dangerousness of illicit drug use, and particularly children's attitudes. Smoking marijuana is especially dangerous for teens. The drug can impair short term memory, ability to concentrate, and motor skills at a time when these are particularly important to children developing and learning in school. Marijuana can stunt the intellectual, emotional and psychological development of adolescents. The British Medical Journal reported that, statistically speaking, marijuana stands convicted as a gateway drug. Twelve- to 17-year-olds who smoke marijuana are 85 times more likely to use cocaine than those who do not, and decriminalization of the drug will increase use by adolescents (Califano). From what I have presented today, it is easy to see why I argue in opposition to the legalization of marijuana in the state of Texas and urge you to accept and understand the reasoning behind the current status quo. You can make a difference. Speak out against the false claims of legalizers and put this issue to rest. Enough is enough, America, and it's time that you stood your ground and said so.…show more content…
Johnson, ed. Medical Marijuana and Marijuana Use. New York: Nova Science, 2009. Kraus, Mark L. "Legalizing Medical Marijuana Is Not a Good Idea." Medical Marijuana. Ed. Noël Merino. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2011. Current Controversies. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 25 July 2011. Joseph A. Califano Jr. "Should Drugs Be Decriminalised? No," British Medical Journal (BMJ), November 10, 2007. Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. Marijuana: Weeding Out the Hype! Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
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