Gateway Effect of Marijuana Essay - 1405 Words

Marijuana has been used by people over many centuries for medical uses. It is a natural pain killer used today as a recreational drug by people all over the world. According to Noel Merino in, â€Å"Introduction to Gateway Drugs: Opposing Viewpoints†, â€Å"a drug is something other than food intended to affect the structure or function of the body†. Marijuana is a very controversial drug and has been outlawed in many countries for its affect on the function of the body. â€Å"Effects may involve hallucinations, impaired judgment, and mood swings.† Describes the effects of marijuana in â€Å"Marijuana† Current Issues Macmillian social science library. During the past century Marijuana has been legal, made illegal, strictly enforced, decriminalized,†¦show more content†¦Even though it is illegal if the drug abusers have not been caught they will continue to use the drug and use others. Many adolescences experiment with marijuana due to curios ity and peer pressure studies have shown that the use of marijuana at a young age causes the adolescences to want to try more dangerous narcotics such as cocaine and heroin. An article titled â€Å"Evidence That Marijuana Is a Gateway to other Illicit Drug Use† by Joseph Gfoerer, Li-Tzy Wu, and Michael Penne states that, â€Å"the highest prevalence of use of heroin, cocaine, and psychotherapeutics in the lifetime was noted among those who initiated marijuana before they were 15 years old. With many young people trying strong narcotics illegally it is no surprise that other young people will also become more apt to try these heavier drugs. The article, â€Å"Marijuana is a Dangerous Drug for Teens† by Joseph Calfifano discuses why marijuana is so dangerous for teens and how the gateway effect plays part in this problem. The article states that marijuana use is a â€Å"signal of trouble†, the troubles include lack of growth, focus, and motor skills. He also brings up the gateway effect in the article the statistics he uses include, â€Å"Twelve to seventeen year olds who smoke marijuana are eighty five times more likely to use cocaine than those who would not.† These statists are very strong inShow MoreRelatedJaclyn Larsen. Mr. Gregory. Period 2. February 12, 2017.1749 Words   |  7 PagesGregory Period 2 February 12, 2017 The Gateway Theory: On Marijuana Within the last few years there has been a nation wide drive towards the legalization of marijuana. This year, it has finally been taken off the list of gateway drugs. A number of states have seen the legalization of marijuana as a gateway to medical benefits. Whereas other states are still skeptical of some of the unknown factors of marijuana. So how was the decision made that marijuana is not a gateway drug? It simply came to the endRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized?849 Words   |  4 Pageswhether marijuana should be legalized. Around 23 states have legalized marijuana for medical and recreational use. In the state of Illinois, medicinal use of marijuana has been passed on April 17, 2013. Since January 2014, patients are able to obtain marijuana with a doctor s recommendation. The new debate is whether marijuana should be legalized for the general public as a recreational drug. Although some believe that marijuana is harmless, and that it has beneficial medicinal uses, marij uana shouldRead MoreWeed Be Better Off Without Marijuana1728 Words   |  7 PagesBetter Off Without Marijuana Dope, Mary Jane, Pot, Grass, Weed, Blunt, Joint, and Nuggets are only a few of the countless names for marijuana, a narcotic drug used for recreational and sometimes medicinal uses across the world. Recently growing enough popularity among younger generations due to the glamorization of media, and the overwhelming financial gains through taxes and fees seen in Colorado, have caused Ohio legislators and citizens to consider the idea of legalizing marijuana for both recreationalRead MoreThe Benefits Of Decriminalization Of Marijuana948 Words   |  4 PagesMarijuana is a widespread drug all over the world. A few countries, such as Netherlands, Australia and some U.S.   jurisdictions, have decriminalized the use of marijuana. Some people support the legalization of marijuana for medical and entertainment purposes because they believe that it can solve a number of problems. However, it should keep the illegal state for any purpose because legalizing marijuana will create more potenti al problems. This essay will talk about two important reasons for keepingRead More†¢Legalizing Marijuana Is Beneficial For A Person’S Mental717 Words   |  3 Pages†¢ Legalizing marijuana is beneficial for a person’s mental and emotional health Marijuana should be legalized because it is beneficial for a person’s mental and emotional health. Marijuana is beneficial for a person’s mental and emotional health because it helps decrease anxiety, relieve stress and it provides a mental break from pain for those who are suffering physically. Firstly, marijuana is beneficial to one’s mental and emotional health because it helps decrease anxiety. Anxiety affects 12%Read MoreEssay on Marijuana vs. Cigarettes1012 Words   |  5 Pagesthat everyone can smoke them. Marijuana on the other hand is nowhere nearly as harmful as cigarettes but is illegal and looked at as if it were far worse than cigarettes. It is long overdue that society recognizes the fact that marijuana is better for people than cigarettes by a mile. Cigarettes are extremely more addictive than marijuana, the usage patterns for marijuana cannot compare to cigarettes, and dozens of lethal chemicals are put into cigarettes whereas marijuana is a natu ral plant and doesn’tRead MoreLegalize Marjuana: Lots of Benefits for the People Essay771 Words   |  4 Pages15 million people recreationally use marijuana at least once a month. In fact, a national survey done in 2009 states more than 104 million Americans over the age of twelve have tried marijuana at least once. These are overwhelming numbers that cannot be ignored. If every one of those people were put in jail it would be more people than in four large states combined! The thought of arresting that many citizens for something so harmless is ridiculous. Marijuana should be legalized because it wouldRead MoreTeenage Marijuana Use Essay854 Words   |  4 PagesIntro: Teenage marijuana use is at an all time high, it has been found that today’s teen marijuana smokers are doing so at extreme amounts, some even do so daily. What are the factors that cause them to start experimenting and smoking marijuana? The amounts of marijuana being smoked by today’s teenagers must have an effect on the developing teens. The minds and bodies of the teens who smoke must be facing some sort of developing issues. Marijuana is a mild drug compared to harsher drugs like cocaineRead MoreEssay on Pros and Cons of Legalizing Marijuana557 Words   |  3 Pageslegalization of marijuana is a very debatable subject, some people think it is bad and should be illegal, and some people think it is good in some ways if used properly. It should be legal because it has few negative effects, it serves other purposes than getting people stoned, and it is better than other drugs. Many advocates say â€Å" Marijuana is a common drug used by many people.†(Sandra) A lot of people think marijuana has numerous amounts of negative effects on the body. Marijuana helps the bodyRead MoreLegalize It1104 Words   |  5 PagesLegalize It In 2000, George Bierson’s â€Å"Marijuana, the Deceptive Drug†, was published by the Massachusetts News. Bierson concludes that marijuana is harmful in many ways, including brain damage, damage to the reproductive system, and weakening of the immune system. He also attempts to convince the reader that marijuana is a â€Å"gateway drug† that leads users to venture into much harder drugs. I believe that research to support anything can be found if one is looking hard enough, but that the fallacy