In recent years in Belize, decriminalization of 10 grams or less of Marijuana is one of the most controversial subjects. Marijuana is one of the most commonly used illicit drug in Belize. Marijuana, since its discovery, has been used as a recreational drug by many individuals. Although Marijuana is an illegal drug in Belize, “it is very much a part of many Belizean’s lifestyles and it is use mainly by young people” (NIH, 2017). With the new amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Act, an adult will now be able to possess and smoke up to 10 grams of marijuana in the privacy of his/her home and in someone’s house or in a hotel room with the consent of the owner. Even though many people feels as though Marijuana is legal, The Government of Belize is only decriminalizing a small amount of Marijuana. “Decriminalization of cannabis is defined as removing or reducing the criminal classification or status of cannabis use” (Oxford, 1969). “Marijuana also called weed, herb, pot, grass, bud, ganja, Mary Jane, and a vast number of other slang terms is a greenish-gray mixture of the dried flowers of Cannabis Sativa” (NIH, 2017). The Government of Belize should not decriminalize 10 grams or less of Marijuana because it is harmful to the body, it can become an addiction and increased chances of marijuana falling into the hands of children. For many years scientists have conducted studies about marijuana and the different effects that it has on the mind and body. “Marijuana smoke can cause many
In Marc Lewis’s novel Memoirs of an Addicted Brain (2012), his experience with marijuana was notably a rollercoaster ride. His first ordeal with the drug occurred when he was a teenager and decided to purchase marijuana from a friend. He began to use it at a period of stress induced by his friends, school and his parents. The first time he decided to take the drug, he dealt with coughing fits until he finally started to feel its effects. His description of his “high”, included the the drug placing him in a more imaginative, creative and happier state.
In the past decade, a number of movements to legalize the use of marijuana has been gaining momentum. According to the 2016 Gallup survey, a record high 60% of Americans say that marijuana should be legalized and this figure marks a 9% increase compared to 2014. Support for legalizing marijuana was 31% in 2000, 50% in 2016 before reaching 60% last year. This shows that despite government efforts to eliminate its use, marijuana is becoming more popular. It is clear that
Everyday patients are visiting their doctors in a desperate search for help with their problems, some physical and some psychological. Far too often in today’s troubled society a doctor is quick to hand their patient a prescription for a powerful and potentially harmful substance. The prescriptions could include drugs such as benzodiazepines for psychological problems and epilepsy, or opioids for pain. Both of those substances can have substantially dangerous and adverse effects and could lead to addiction and even death. Marijuana is a much safer and more naturally occurring substance that can be used for all of the previously listed purposes.
Legalizing Marijuana in Canada Student Name Subject Information Lecturer’s name Date Here The legalization of Marijuana has become a prominent and controversial debate in the society. Various practical and moral arguments have helped to put in perspective the issues surrounding the legalization and decriminalization of marijuana. “Those for ratification have debated for the medicinal purposes, employment, and prospective tax revenue, and crime decrease, failure of the existing prohibition laws and the burden of offenders in our state prison as the stirring factors to validate the drug.”
Sorting Through the Science on Marijuana, written by Itai Danovitch, touches on what marijuana is, the innocuous and detrimental effects it can have on a body, and how the legalization of this drug would affect the rates of marijuana use. Throughout the piece, Danovitch speaks from an unbiased point of view; he is neither for the legalization and use of this drug nor against it. Itai Danovitch not only establishes a dependable and impartial article, he also connects to the reader, both, emotionally and logically through statements validated by facts. Itai Danovitch, M.D. receives his credibility from his profession as a doctor. Not only does Danovitch state facts, he also, provides an adequate amount of information along with the citations
One of the most well designed studies on marijuana and intelligence, released in 2012, found that persistent, heavy use of marijuana by adolescents reduces IQ by as much as eight points, when tested well into adulthood. Other studies have found that marijuana use is linked with dropping out of school, and subsequent unemployment, social welfare dependence, and a lower self-reported quality of life than non-marijuana abusing people. According to the U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health, youth with poor academic results were more than four times as likely to have used marijuana in the past year as youth with an average of higher grades. This is consistent with an exhaustive meta-analysis examining forty-eight different studies by Macleod and colleagues, published by Lancet, who found that marijuana use is consistently associated with reduced grades and a reduced chance of graduating from school. In addition, studies have linked employee marijuana use with “increased absences, tardiness, accidents, workers’ compensation claims, and job turnover.”
As a nation we have come to point where we must take a unified stand on the issue of marijuana. Since 1937 the drug has been deemed illegal by the U.S. government but over the best decade, people have been pushing for the decriminalization of the cannabis plant. As a non drug user, i have researched the internet in search of unbiased information regarding the drugs health, economic, and crime influences on society. The fruits of my labor have brought me to the undisputable conclusion that our continued restriction on possession and use of the drug not only violates the liberties of U.S. citizens, but it also is costing Americans Billions of dollars, and something, our lives.
10. It can cause the increase in heart rate which can lead to arrhythmia, heart palpitation or heart attack. 11. Marijuana can increase the risk of developing mental illnesses such as is depression and schizophrenia.
Today the demands are changing in different states. In States such as Colorado and Washington, marijuana has been legalized for recreational use. This move raised several questions as far as decriminalization of marijuana is concerned. Besides portraying the US in a bad light, legalization of marijuana for recreation increases the risk of developing mental problems, increases government expenditure on public health, jeopardizes the future of children, and is a gateway to other dangerous drugs. Increased health problems and public health expenditure-
[Accessed 08 January 15]. It can have many side effects and the longer you use the drug the more damage it can cause. It contains THC which is the ingredient in the drug that makes you feel ‘high’. Effects caused by marijuana consist of: anxiety, moodiness, depression, paranoia, memory loss (short term), an increase in heart rate, dilated pupils, an increase in appetite and also it causes a slower reaction time for users. Although not all users get addicted to marijuana, studies have shown that almost 10% of users do get addicted.
The article describes the two main compounds of marijuana, THC and CBD, and the few synthetic varieties available in the United States and Canada. Cavalet proves the different conditions that have evidence for marijuana treatment and the conditions that do not. The purpose of this article is to present the real risks and benefits associated with marijuana. The intended audience for this article is medical personnel or those with knowledge on the
Why Marijuana Should be Legal Marijuana is a very prominent issue in society today. Many false and slanderous things have been said about marijuana in recent times. But the truth about marijuana continues to reveal itself. Sadly these truths are being criticised because of the stereotypical view that many people call the typical “pot smoker”.
Marijuana, also known as Cannabis, is derived from the Cannabis plant and is used commonly for either recreational or medical purposes. Marijuana is composed of chemicals such as tetrahydrocannabinol (HTC, and over eighty cannabinoids. Marijuana is acknowledged for providing smokers with a “high” feeling. Since the twentieth century, this illicit drug has been banned across the world. However, over the past few years studies have been conducted on marijuana and the results show that it can actually be helpful in many different areas of society.
The National Institute of Drug Abuse states, “Many people who use marijuana long term . . . may begin to have symptoms such as grouchiness, sleepiness, decreased appetite, anxiety, and cravings.” Harvard Health publishing: Harvard Medical School stated: Marijuana is used to manage nausea and weight loss, and can be used to treat glaucoma. Many veterans and their therapists report drastic improvement and clamor for more studies, and for a loosening of governmental restrictions on its study. Medical marijuana is also reported to help patients suffering from pain and wasting syndrome associated with HIV, as well as irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease.
In the last twenty years, marijuana has become more effective and addictive. Overusing marijuana for a long term has increased the number of crimes, such as smuggling and drugs; which are considered as negative impacts for the society. Based on the data, the marijuana addicts in the world reached 27 million people in 2012. Moreover, The UN said if 5% of the world’s population have been using marijuana, so it is not wrong if the number of marijuana case always increasing. Simply put, it appears that society has already experienced the negative effect of marijuana and had already set a perception of it; it is shown by the severe punishment given to citizens who uses marijuana.