Comm_220_Final

Recently there has been a lot of talk about marijuana. Some doctors have made claims that marijuana can be used as medicine. There are also individuals that say that marijuana use is safer than alcohol consumption. Could this be true' Is marijuana usage safer than alcohol consumption' Could marijuana be a natural wonder substance to treat patients' If marijuana is safer than alcohol, than why is it not legal' Most importantly, why haven’t doctors been using this for patients' Marijuana would be much more affordable for patients in today’s economy. In addition, the legalization of marijuana could reduce crime rates, (Page, 2005). Moreover, many pot activists compare the side effects of marijuana to alcohol, (Page, 2005). Many of people around the world die from alcohol related deaths everyday. In fact, according to alcoholalert.com, 37% of auto accidents in 2007 were alcohol related. This brings up what could be a valid point for the pot activist. So why isn’t marijuana legal' Is it because the government cannot make a profit from it' Marijuana is a natural plant that can be grown in any ones basement and backyard. How would the government tax such a substance' In this paper, one will address the following questions. One will also evaluate the pros and cons of marijuana and alcohol. Arguably, the most popular consumed illegal substance today is marijuana. It is not difficult to purchase the drug. Whether one lives in an urban or suburban community the use and availability of marijuana is available. Many of reasons why this is possible is because it can be grown easily. If one does not have an idea on how to produce it there are websites and magazines that can instruct you. The most popular magazine that can be found at some local corner stores is High Times. Teenagers are among the populous who indulge in the use of marijuana. One of the many concerns of teen marijuana use is the negative health effects of consumption. Reports have shown that the potency of THC has grown from below 4% in 1983 to 10.1% in 2008, (J. Meserve, Mike Ahlers, 2009). This can raise a threat for those who are new to the drug or uneducated teenagers. Overindulging in the substance has said to cause some individuals to be in need of medical assistance, ( J. Meserve, 2009) Recent studies have proven that long-term use of marijuana can cause lung infection,( National institute of drug abuse, 2008). Lung cancer is also associated with the consumption of marijuana, (National institute of drug abuse, 2008). Studies have also shown that long-term use of marijuana can cause dysphoria, paranoia, irritability, and schizophrenia, (J. Meserve, 2009). Many teenagers are unaware of the side effects marijuana has on the body. It has often been viewed as a safe drug. Some teens in this day in age compare alcohol to marijuana, and look at them as being one in the same,( Biernson, 2002).One side effect that is even known by users is memory impairment. Marijuana usage impairs the memory, which in some cases can cause brain damage, (Biernson, 2002). In addition, users are unaware of the fact that during consumption the individual’s heart rate elevates. The elevation of the heart can increase the risk of heart attack, (M. Williams, 2003). This is a fatal side effect that can be life threatening. Moreover, can marijuana be a gateway drug to other illegal substances. The substance THC is found in marijuana and it is highly addictive, unlike alcohol, THC is not stored in the blood stream. THC is stored in body fat. That means that traces of marijuana stores in the body for a long period. Sometimes one can become immune to a certain kind of marijuana. Consequently, they do not get the same type of high they once had. In this circumstance, the user is likely to try different stronger variations of marijuana. Sometimes users mix marijuana with other drugs to enhance the experience. This technique is called lacing the joint. This practice opens the door for many other different types of health dangers. Another practice of obtaining a better buzz is drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana. Again, this is not a safe practice. However, not every one seeks to try stronger variations of marijuana. Some users are content with the high they currently are obtaining. Another reason why marijuana users might not try other drugs is that the other substances just cost a lot more. Not to mention most people are aware of the negative side effects of cocaine and heroin. Now a fair argument is the fact that marijuana is not the only substance that has negative side effects. Alcohol has many negative side effects also. However, it is beneficial for one to know how alcohol makes its effect on the body. When one consumes alcohol, it travels through the blood stream and is easily absorbed. Alcohol is absorbed faster when it is consumed on an empty stomach, because it absorbs into the intestinal lining, (National council on alcohol and drug dependence, 2009). The side effect that is most common is alcohols ability to impair judgment. This alone has been the reason why many alcohol related auto accidents have taken place. Between the years of 2002 and 2007, nearly half of auto related deaths were associated with drunk drivers. Below is a pie graph that gives the actual percentages of deaths per year. Note. From alcoholalert.com According to the Greater dallas council of alcohol and drug abuse, (2006) “Alcohol abuse can also be linked to over 100,000 deaths of Americans” (alcohol para.13). Alcohols ability to impair judgment does not only cause auto related deaths. Alcohol abuse can also be toxic to the liver. Some individuals who abuse the use of alcohol actually get sclerosis of the liver. Sclerosis of the liver is caused by the bodies inability to metabolize an over abundance of alcohol, (National council on alcohol and drug dependence, 2009). Consequently, fat is stored in the liver and if it is not treated it can clog the liver. Long term abuse can result to liver failure. Another organ of the body that is directly affected by alcohol abuse is the kidneys. Alcohol abuse can enlarge the kidney and lead to kidney failure, (National council on alcohol and drug dependence, 2009). Various types of cancer can be associated to the long-term use and abuse of alcohol. The most common forms of cancer associated with the abuse of alcohol are liver, pancreas, rectal, breast, mouth, and the esophagus, (National council on alcohol and drug dependence, 2009). Alcohol abuse has also been proven to kill brain cells. Just after moments of consumption, the effects that alcohol has on the brain are present. This is because the cerebellum is the first organ that is affected. The cerebellum is responsible for the controlling of actions and emotions, ( Merino, 2008). That is why intoxicated individuals have trouble speaking, walking, coordinating, and seeing. An individual’s ability to make a proper judgment is revoked also. One might wonder why alcohol is legal if so many tragedies and illnesses are associated with it. It can only take one night of irresponsible drinking for one to become a statistic. Besides how many commercials has one seen on high driving' Most of the commercials are public service announcements on drunk driving. How can marijuana consumption pose a threat to others in the users’ environment' Well some of the tragedies and illnesses that were given are linked to alcohol abuse not moderate consumption, with the exception of auto related accidents Moreover, the real question is which substance is safer between the two. Well let us look at the side effects once more. There are negative effects associated with alcohol and marijuana, below are some of the many side effects. Marijuana Alcohol Impairs short term memory Sclerosis of the liver Can promote Cancer in lungs Damage to brain cells Causes paranoia Domestic violence and child abuse Causes schizophrenia in some cases Auto related deaths Promotes lung infection Alcohol poisoning Increases the risk of heart attack Can promote Cancer The negative effects of alcohol and marijuana As you can see, both substances have some similar effects. Alcohol and marijuana are both associated with forming some sort of cancer in the body. They are also both associated with the damaging of the brain. However, there can be of some good use for both of the substances. For example, studies have proven that one cup of red wine a day can benefit the circulatory system. The wine clears the walls of veins of plaque and harmful residue that can cause vein blockage, (National council on alcohol and drug dependence, 2009). In this case, moderate use of alcohol can be of a healthy practice. However, if one were to access which one is safer than the two substances would have to be compared on the same scale. The question must be, does one glass of wine harbor the same effects of one joint' For most individuals the answer would be no. An average adult male or female would notice that there would be a difference between the two substances. However, one might ask would one shot of Bacardi 151 harbor the same effects as one joint' The answer might be yes. Alcohol is produced in various types of proofs, which means that not all alcohol contains the same amount of potency. Furthermore, marijuana has been used to treat some patients medically. Patients who suffer from glaucoma are prescribed marijuana to treat there illness. Although there is not any evidence to support the claim, some researchers are claiming that marijuana can cure many illnesses. Since the medicinal usage and treatment of marijuana is legal now in some states maybe we will finally receive some closure on the subject. Could marijuana be more than a drug that is used by some to get high' Could it be a wonder drug that cures all' Nevertheless, would the long-term effects make it worth the risk taking' In conclusion, both substances have there negative effects. Could marijuana be illegal because it harbors more long-term side effects than alcohol' Could alcohol be safer because it comes in various forms and potencies' If one were to drink a wine cooler than they would not become drunk instantly. However, can one smoke one joint and not become high' The possibility of that is not possible. Moderate alcohol consumption with low volumes and proof does not result in liver failure. However, not all drinkers are moderate drinkers. Some people have addictive habits, which can lead to alcoholism. Not everyone has the will power to just drink moderately. People have a motive for every action they make. Some may have intent to get drunk by drinking. On the other hand, the main reason people smoke pot is to get high. So should consumption be based on the motive of the user' Regardless of the motive of the user, people are dying and are suffering from illnesses frequently because of the side effects of both drugs. Moderate intake of marijuana does have long-term side effects associated with it. However, the choice is yours to make. I hope that after reviewing this information you will make the right choice.