Dangers of Marijuana Use and Posession

Running Header : THE DANGERS OF MARIJUANA

The Dangers of Marijuana Use and Possession

Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States . It is known by many different street names but whether it is called pot , weed , herb or any other name , the effects are the same

Marijuana is usually smoked , eaten or brewed in a tea . Research has shown that marijuana baked into brownies or cake will take longer to have an effect but the effect usually lasts longer than smoking it . The effects on the human body

are the same regardless of the method used

Short term effects are

Distorted perception

Problems with memory or learning

Loss of coordination

Trouble with thinking and problem solving

Increased heart rate , reduced blood pressure

Cannabis produces it 's psychological and behavioral effects by acting on specific cannabinoid receptors in the brain . Cannabis (Marijuana ) has been used medicinally since around 2737 B .C . in China and spread to other parts of the world . Even when used medicinally cannabis carried a warning against using large quantities due negative side effects . It was several centuries later that marijuana began to be used for its psychotropic effects

Research regarding health effects has shown that marijuana use increased the risk of major depression and in Sweden researchers may have found a link between marijuana use and the development of schizophrenia

Some experts think that marijuana does not have the ability to produce withdrawal , tolerance and dependence (Earlywine , 2002 ) Others state that Drug craving and withdrawal symptoms can make it hard for long-term marijuana smokers to stop abusing the drug . People trying to quit report irritability , sleeplessness , and anxiety . They also display increased aggression on psychological tests , peaking approximately one week after the last use of the drug (niaid , 2007

One of the biggest problem areas regarding marijuana use and health issues is the smoking effect . Tobacco contains carcinogenic hydrocarbons and is known to cause lung cancer . Marijuana contains 50 to 70 more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco but has not been linked directly to a case of lung cancer . Researchers agree that heavy marijuana smokers have the same respiratory problems as tobacco smokers . They can develop a chronic cough , respiratory infections , shortness of breathe and impaired airways

Another danger of marijuana use is impaired driving performance Marijuana slows down the reflexes , which can be dangerous to both driver and passengers . Statistics show that 15 of all trauma victims who were injured in traffic accidents had THC in their system and that roughly 36 million people drive while under the influence of marijuana , alcohol or other drug each year . An extensive study in 2001-2002 showed that even smoking a small amount of marijuana before driving impaired the person enough to double the chances of a fatal accident

Long term effects of marijuana use is still being studied but the most recent research indicates that there are long term effects contrary to previous beliefs

Long term effects include

Inhibited immune systems by impairing the T-cells in...