Decriminalizing recreational marijuana.

I am going to bold important words/phrases in my arguments. Let's get started: I am going to make my first argument in this round: Health I realize that the United States is a country that supports freedom of choice. I acknowledge the fact that everyone should be able of choosing their own path. However, I will not allow my country to decriminalize recreational marijuana, which is hurting our children and is damaging our security. "The active ingredient in marijuana is THC. That's short for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. THC is rapidly absorbed after smoking pot. Within minutes, THC and the other substances in marijuana smoke cause short-term medical effects. Signs of using marijuana include: Rapid heart rate Increased blood pressure Increased rate of breathing Red eyes Dry mouth Increased appetite, or "the munchies" Slowed reaction time These effects are reduced after three or four hours. However, marijuana hangs around in your system for as long as a month after smoking. The lingering effects mean you're impaired for several days to weeks after the high wears off. Psychological Effects of Marijuana According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the main effects of marijuana on mood vary and may include euphoria, calmness, anxiety, or paranoia. Getting high or "stoned" is the reason most pot smokers use marijuana. Other short-term psychological effects of pot include: Distorted sense of time Paranoia Magical or "random" thinking Short-term memory loss Anxiety and depression These psychological signs of using pot also generally ease after a few hours. But residual effects can last for days. Risks of Marijuana Use The risks of smoking marijuana go up with heavy use. Although the link has never been proven, many experts believe heavy pot smokers are at increased risk for lung cancer. Heavy marijuana use lowers men's testosterone levels and sperm count and quality. Pot could decrease libido and fertility in some heavy-smoking men. Contrary to what many pot smokers may tell you, marijuana is addictive, at least psychologically. Even among occasional users, one in 12 can feel withdrawal symptoms if they can't get high when they want to. Among heavy pot smokers, the rates of dependence are higher. Many experts also believe that marijuana is physically addictive. Symptoms of withdrawal from pot might include: Aggression Anxiety Depressed mood Decreased appetite Is pot a "gateway" drug? In other words, does smoking marijuana make someone more likely to try cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, and other "hard" drugs? The jury is still out on this one. It's true that pot smokers are more likely to use other drugs after trying marijuana. What's not clear is whether smoking pot causes further drug use or if people who start smoking pot are just more likely to try drugs in general. If you're wondering how long marijuana stays in your system after smoking, it depends on how often you smoke. Light users -- those who smoke pot once in a while -- will have a negative drug screen after a marijuana-free week. Heavy users -- sometimes called "stoners" -- may continue testing positive for a month after last smoking pot." [1] According to this article, marijuana has many health issues. Would you support decriminalizing a deadly drug for RECREATIONAL PURPOSES? I understand decriminalizing marijuana for medical purposes, but I cannot understand why you would legalize marijuana, which could lead to the illness and death of millions of children and adults. The adults can make their own choice, but children cannot. Children are suffering because of marijuana. Will you allow this to occur? My friend, I must say, I will not let this pass. References [1] http://www.webmd.com...