Although marijuana does indeed have some harmful effects, it is no more harmful than legal substances like alcohol and tobacco. A research by the British Medical Association shows that nicotine is far more addictive than cannabis. In addition, the consumption of alcohol and the smoking of cigarettes cause more deaths per year than does the use of cannabis. The legalization of marijuana will remove an anomaly in the law whereby substances that are more dangerous than marijuana are legal whilst the possession and use of marijuana remains illegal. A Kaiser Permanente Center survey found that people who smoke marijuana-only on a daily basis have a 19% higher rate of respiratory complaints than non-smokers.
Rae Uddin (2011) however, lists the benefits. Stating that the use of medical marijuana improves the overall lives of sick patients. The author also conveys that the neurological pain level in HIV patients reduces by 30 percent with the use of marijuana. She agrees in her study, that it decreases appetite in patients. This is essential, due to patients that often loose appetite, not wanting to eat, are not getting the nutrients needed for the healing process.
This is also the reason many marijuana users tend to be paranoid. www.grasscity.com Another short- term effect of marijuana is memory-loss marijuana effects the hippocampus which is the part of that converts information into short –term memory. There is a decrease in the activity of the nerve cells in brain. This results in the brains inability to register new information. The process is prolonged because the brain is too relaxed.
Hookahs are marketed as being a safe alternative to cigarettes. This claim is false. The water does not filter out many of the toxins. In fact, hookah smoke has been shown to contain concentrations of toxins, such as carbon monoxide, nicotine, “tar,” and heavy metals, that are as high or higher than are seen with cigarette smoke. Several types of cancer, including lung cancer, have been linked to hookah smoking.
Meth does to the body what 20 cups of coffee in 5 minutes does. Today we know that having such a “caffeine-high” is not good for the body, and meth does more than just give a “caffeine-high.” Long-term effects are extreme weight loss, insomnia, and violent behavior. Cocaine is similar to meth as it aids in increased alertness, increased energy, and decreased appetite. The long-term side effects of cocaine use can cause restlessness, paranoia, and hearing things. While both are legal for medical use, they are highly addictive and susceptible to abuse.
(Zive, 2010) The most popular is marijuana. (Zive, 2010) Studies show that marijuana is not necessary addictive on its own, it is referred to as the gateway drug. (Zive, 2010) Meaning the use of marijuana is known to lead to the use of more dangerous and addictive drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. (Zive,
This is the idea that a person who uses Marijuana will become addicted to harsher drugs such as Heroin, Cocaine, Angel Dust, and other potentially deadly drugs. The reasoning behind this is that a person who usually buys Marijuana, buys it from a dealer who also sells other drugs as well. The dealer after a while will offer the buyer a newer drug, and supposedly the buyer would accept, thus the gateway theory. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. In 1944 “The LaGuardia Report” was released, this was a report that studied the gateway effects and other associated Marijuana myths.
A study done at UCLA indicated that heavy marijuana smokers showed less lung injury than tobacco smokers. The myth that one joint equals 10 cigarettes no longer holds up, as it has been proven wrong over and over
Running head: A comparison of marijuana and chronic tobacco use A comparison of the harmful health effects of chronic marijuana and chronic smoked tobacco use Name Course Date 1. Problem Statement There is a common myth that marijuana smoking is less harmful than cigarette smoking. However, many studies suggest that both these forms of smoking have similar detrimental effects on heath; while there are also contrary views that posit different degrees and types of health damage to each type of smoking. Many of these studies are based on variables that do not take into account chronic smoking of both tobacco and marijuana. One of the reasons for the disparity in findings is that cigarette smoking has received more research attention and has been publicly analyzed and debated more extensively than marijuana.
Smoking and drinking are both addictive and can have negative effects if used improperly, but smoking one cigarette is more harmful than drinking one beer. If they lowered the drinking age to 18, there would be a lot fewer problems related to alcohol. Lowering the drinking age would take away the excitement of teens drinking. People who are under the age and drink see drinking as a rebellious act. Under age teens will drink less than they did before since the thrill of is gone.