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Ali Simon
Professor Jannone
FY 101 HE03
17 November 2014
Marijuana
Marijuana, also known as Cannabis, is the most common illegal drug used in the United
States. Its use has drastically increased among young people and it does a significant amount of
damage to the brain. However, it is also used to treat illnesses, such as pain and nausea caused by
HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other conditions. Although it may be used as medicinal, it is mostly used
for recreational purposes and is known to have a severe effect on a person’s daily life. Marijuana
has caused several problems, including media influence, and ethical issues related to abuse.
Marijuana is native to Central and South Asia. The inhalation of cannabis smoke was first
seen in the 3rd millennium BCE and has also been found in Egyptian mummies from 950 BC.
Cannabis was also used by the ancient Assyrians, who came across its mental effects through the
Aryans. Marijuana has an ancient history of ritual use and is found in pharmacological cults
around the world. The instantaneous effects of taking marijuana include rapid heartbeat,
disorientation, lack of physical coordination, often followed by depression or sleepiness, and for
some users cause panic attacks or anxiety. The smoke in cannabis contains 50% to 70% more
cancerous substances than tobacco smoke. One specific study states that a single cannabis joint is
as damaging to the lungs as smoking up to five cigarettes. Marijuana is also known to affect the
brain. There has been research stating that the mentality of people who have smoked a great
amount of marijuana tend to be reduced. The THC in cannabis disturbs nerve cells in the brain,
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which has a significant effect on the memory. Also, marijuana has many effects if smoked while
pregnant. If a pregnant woman smokes marijuana daily, she may give birth prematurely to an
undersized, underweight baby. The smoke from Marijuana is fatal to the lungs and it can cause
heavy cannabis smokers to develop respiratory problems. Studies show that frequent marijuana
smokers have more health problems and get sick more often than non-smokers. Marijuana also
effects the heart by drastically raising heart rate, which causes cannabis smokers to be more
prone to heart attacks in the first hour of smoking (reference).
Marijuana is proven to be addictive. Estimates show that about 9 percent of users become
addicted to marijuana, which increases among those who start young. Addicted marijuana
smokers who try to quit tend to experience withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, loss
of appetite, anxiety, and drug craving, which makes quitting severely difficult. There are several
