The Legalization of Marijuana

Sorry I forgot to include my source in the last post. It is http://serendip.brynmawr.edu... The problem with "just getting a high" is that it will become too common of a thing. If we legalize marijuana it is going to turn into people just inside all day on their couches getting stoned. These people don't know responsibility. The people who do this now, go out and drive right after, which is harming other people. "Long-term marijuana abusers trying to quit report withdrawal symptoms including: irritability, sleeplessness, decreased appetite, anxiety, and drug craving, all of which can make it difficult to remain abstinent. These symptoms begin within about 1 day following abstinence, peak at 2-3 days, and subside within 1 or 2 weeks following drug cessation." So what you are saying is that marijuana does have symptoms. I do not know how you can say these are mild, when it can lead to drug cravings and when it can cause anxiety. These are both very serious symptoms. Drug cravings can lead to other drugs. Marijuana is considered a gateway drug. It can lead to even more harmful drugs if addicted to it. http://www.acde.org... "Numerous studies have shown marijuana smoke to contain carcinogens and to be an irritant to the lungs. In fact, marijuana smoke contains 50-70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco smoke. Marijuana users usually inhale more deeply and hold their breath longer than tobacco smokers do, which further increase the lungs' exposure to carcinogenic smoke. Marijuana smokers show dysregulated growth of epithelial cells in their lung tissue, which could lead to cancer;6 however, a recent case-controlled study found no positive associations between marijuana use and lung, upper respiratory, or upper digestive tract cancers.7 Thus, the link between marijuana smoking and these cancers remains unsubstantiated at this time." This fact states that numerous studies show that "marijuana smoke contains carcinogens and is an irritant to the lungs," but then one case shoes otherwise. Would you believe a study that has been done multiple times or a study that has only been done once? Carcinogens are very harmful, so I don't understand why you say otherwise. Marijuana can cause people to hallucinate It can also cause bronchitis and chest colds in long time users. It also can reduce learning abilities. http://www.acde.org... "Long-term marijuana abuse can lead to addiction; that is, compulsive drug seeking and abuse despite the known harmful effects upon functioning in the context of family, school, work, and recreational activities. Estimates from research suggest that about 9 percent of users become addicted to marijuana; this number increases among those who start young (to about 17 percent) and among daily users (25-50 percent)." This just shows that marijuana is addictive. That many people who start marijuana continue to do it. We already know the negative effects that come with it. Why would we want more people to start by legalizing it. http://www.nida.nih.gov... The government should especially be trying to stop young people form using marijuana. Studies show bad outcomes of marijuana users that are young. "Chronic marijuana use, especially in a very young person, may also be a marker of risk for mental illnesses - including addiction - stemming from genetic or environmental vulnerabilities, such as early exposure to stress or violence. Currently, the strongest evidence links marijuana use and schizophrenia and/or related disorders. 4 High doses of marijuana can produce an acute psychotic reaction; in addition, use of the drug may trigger the onset or relapse of schizophrenia in vulnerable individuals." This just shows why we should be stopping the use of marijuana. Lastly I do not agree with your theory, of how legalizing marijuana would help the economy. Their is no way we could no this first of all. Secondly, just because it may stimulate the economy does not mean we should legalize it.. The harm that marijuana causes should be why it stays illegal.