Keller
Parker Keller
Robin Haggerty
English 102
2/25/15
Rebual Essay
In 1937, the United States passed thee Marihuana Tax Act and prohibited the
production of hemp in addition to cannabis. The reasons that hemp was also included in
this law are controversial. Several scholars have claimed that the act was passed in order
to destroy the US hemp industry with the primary involvement of businessmen Andrew
Mellon, Randolph Hearst, and the Du Pont family.
The next generation is going to grow up into a completely di$erent world as we
did, at least in The United States of America. The legalization of marijuana is rapidly
gaining political support throughout our nation. In “ Marijuana Legalization is not a Risk
Worth Taking” by Dr. Stuart Gitlow, he gives his reasoning for which marijuana should
not be legalized.
Dr. Gitlow begins his article talking about how people would smoke tobacco left
and right no when he was a medical school because they didn’t know how bad tobacco
really was for you. He then explains that how America is going to screw up again by
legalizing a harmful substance, marijuana. Dr. Gitlow then tells us that that the IQ’s of
marijuana smokers drop, the economy would be worse off, and those try it will become
heavily addicted.
Marijuana is a preparation of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a
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Keller
psychoactive drug and as medicine. The principal psychoactive constituent of marijuana
is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Cannabis is often consumed for its psychoactive and
physiological effects, which can include heightened mood or euphoria, relaxation, and an
increase in appetite. Possible side effects include a decrease in short-term memory, dry
mouth, impaired motor skills, reddening of the eyes, and feelings of paranoia or anxiety.
The reality is, Marijuana isn’t nearly as harmful as Dr. Stuart Gitlow makes it
seem. There are risks associated with literally anything you put in your body. Eat too
much sugar and you’re on the fast track to ro8ng teeth and diabetes. Take in too much
salt and you’re looking at increased odds of a stroke.
The 9rst mistake Dr. Gitlow makes is comparing marijuana to tobacco. As
tobacco can cause cancer, marijuana can be prescribed to people with cancer and other
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