“Marijuana Is The Most Widely Used Illicit Drug Among...

â€Å"Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug among adolescents in the United States† (Pardini et. al. 1204). Since it is so widely used, a large amount of money could be made if the government legalized and taxed it. Even though opponents argue that marijuana is a harmful drug that kills brain cells, the US should legalize it because of economic benefits, health benefits, research opportunities, and population control. Since Colorado legalized marijuana in November of 2012, the state experienced massive economic growth. Licensed dispensaries generated more than $14 million within the first month of sales. In total, about $69 million was collected from taxes on marijuana in 2015 (Borchardt). If marijuana were legal in all 50 states,†¦show more content†¦It can be used for muscle and joint aches caused by fibromyalgia and multiple sclerosis. It can also be used to treat migraines and irritable bowel syndrome (Women’s Health 156). Unlike pain killers, it i s not possible to overdose on marijuana. Many people prefer using marijuana over pain killers. With some, it is the only option to get relief. Plus, pain killers such as Valium and Vicodin are extremely easy to get addicted to. Smoking pot is also rumored to damage lung function, but according to a 2012 government funded study that followed more than 5,000 people for over 20 years, â€Å"There is no apparent correlation between occasionally inhaling marijuana and lung function† (Women’s Health 156). Some have even said that smoking pot allows them to breathe better than normal. Another health benefit of marijuana is its ability to fight disease. Medical marijuana is often used to treat glaucoma by lowering eye pressure (â€Å"Marijuana’s Moment† 42). Glaucoma is defined as a condition of increased pressure within the eyeball that causes the gradual loss of sight. It normally occurs in people 60 years of age and older. Taken by pill or injection, THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, can help keep eye pressure at a low level. Glaucoma cannot be cured, but blindness can be prevented through the use of eye drops and THC pills. Marijuana can also help people with anxiety, as it normally has a calming, relaxing effect (â€Å"Marijuana’s Moment† 42). However,Show MoreRelatedDrug Use Among Medical Marijuana Laws Get Their Pot From Other People s Prescriptions1039 Words   |  5 PagesIn 2013, more high school seniors regularly used marijuana than cigarettes as 22.7 percent smoked pot in the last month, compared to 16.3 percent who smoked cigarettes. Sixty percent of seniors don t see regular marijuana use as harmful, but THC (the active ingredient in the drug that causes addiction) is nearly five times stronger than it was 20 years ago. One-third of teenagers who live in States with medical marijuana laws get their pot from other people s prescriptions. The United States representsRead MoreNational Intelligence Analysis1 531 Words   |  7 Pagesin the early 2000s, Canadas heroin market was controlled by South and Southwest Asia, and these regions took Southeast Asias place. Since 2004, heroin seizures have been increasing even though heroin is allegedly one of the least commonly used illicit drugs in Canada (NIA et al., 2010). Asian, Latin American, and West African organized crime groups, functioning in Canada as well as in foreign countries, remained to be participants in smuggling and transporting heroin in Canada (NIA et al., 2010)Read MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized?911 Words   |  4 Pageswhether Marijuana should be legalized or kept illegal. Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug in America, of the nearly twenty million current drug users, 14.6 million are using marijuana (National 73) . Therefore, if marijuana is legalized in America, the number of users will skyrocket. Hence, marijuana should stay illegal in America for the reason that if it is legalized, more adolescents woul d acquire the drug easier, roads will become more dangerous and finally, more marijuana means higherRead MoreSubstance Abuse Among The Elderly1473 Words   |  6 Pagesincreasing numbers of substance abusers, and/or the increasing rates of substance abuse among the elderly population. A national public health concern is that the rate of elderly substance abuse will rise sharply as boomers enter older adulthood. This research is not intended to be an entire comprehensive and exhaustive review of all research findings but a review to highlight those findings concerning substance abuse among the elderly. Literature presented in this review reflects substance abuse withinRead MoreLegalize Marijuana Essay1333 Words   |  6 PagesCannabis sativa or Marijuana as is commonly known worldwide is a hard drug with adverse side effects to the users. With this reason it is an illegal drug in a majority of parts in the world. However according to research statistics, with this illegality there is still a high rise of both users as well as those initiated into the practice annually with the United Nations placing it first among the illicit substances widely used in the world (UNODC 198). Having worked previously in a number of facilitiesRead MoreThe Street Scene : Statistics And Impact Of Recreational Drug Use3332 Words   |  14 PagesStatistics and Impact of Recreational Drug use in the United States D’yana Conley Maria Laura Ituah Kelly Mulhern Coty Tunwar Doctor of Pharmacy Candidates, Class of 2016 Chicago State University College of Pharmacy D’Yana Conley Maria Laura Ituah Kelly Mulhern Coty Tunwar Topic: The Street Scene - Statistics and Impact of Recreational Drug use in the United States Abstract In present time, recreational drug use in the United States has become a widely recognized topic that has generatedRead MoreThe Psychological Effects Of Adolescent Substance Abuse1469 Words   |  6 PagesAdolescent substance abuse is one of the largest issues faced by our society today. According to Teenrehab.com, nearly 50% of all high school seniors have abused some form of illicit substance and according to National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism nearly 70% of 18 year olds have at the least tried alcohol. Many more adolescents are trying, and getting addicted to, drugs every year. In my opinion this is one of the most critical issues that we have to address as a society. Summary Response:Read MoreMarijuana Is The Most Common Drug Used By Australian Youth1469 Words   |  6 PagesDrugs- You’re a fool if you think they’re cool. Introduction: Adolescence is generally a period of experimentation, and is when most people will first use drugs. According to a report by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, published in 2015, cannabis is the most common drug used by Australian youth, despite countless campaigns by governments, schools and community groups to make Australian adolescents more aware of its devastating consequences. What is Cannabis? Cannabis is a depressant drugRead MoreDrug Use in Todays School System Has Become the Norm1267 Words   |  5 Pagesscreams muffled by the terrible silence of our ignorance. Drug usage in today’s school system has become a social norm. As a society we tend to stick to what we know, we tend to follow suit and fall into social pressure. This social pressure isn’t the enemy; it’s what we must rely on for change. With encouragement and the right knowledge we can all positively influence each other and all high school students to take a stance against drug use. I grew up with a kid named Jon. He was one of my bestRead MorePrescription Drug Abuse : Drug And Free World1508 Words   |  7 Pages(â€Å"Prescription Drug Abuse Statistics – Overdoes Deaths – Drug-Free World,†n.d.) A 2007 survey in the United States found that 3.3% of 12 to 17 years olds and 6% of 17 to 25 year olds had abused prescription drugs in the past month (â€Å"Prescription Drug Abuse Statistics – Overdoes Deaths – Drug-Free World,†n.d.) Prescription drug abuse causes the largest percentage of deaths from drug overdoses (â€Å"Prescription Drug Abuse Statistics – Overdoes Deaths – Drug-Free World,†n.d.) Of the 22,400 drug overdose