I have chosen to write about a drug called marijuana and it's advantages and disadvantages. The two main authors whose work will be cited and debated in this essay are Eric A. Voth and Ethan A. Nadelmann. Many of those who believe illicit drugs are a major problem in America however are usually referring to hard drugs, such as cocaine and heroin. Soft drugs like marijuana, though not legal, are not often perceived as a major threat to the safety and well being of citizens. Millions of America have tried marijuana and did not become addicted. The drug has also been used illegally by those suffering from AIDS, glaucoma, and cancer to alleviate their symptoms and to stimulate their appetites. Should marijuana be legalized as a medicine, or is it too addictive and dangerous? In California, Proposition 215 passed in the November 1996 ballot and a similar one was passed in Arizona. These initiatives convinced voters to relax current laws against marijuana use for medical and humane reasons. Opponents of these recent measures argue that marijuana use has been steadily rising among teenagers and that this may lead to experimentation with hard drugs. There is concern that if marijuana is legal via doctor's prescription, the drug will be more readily available. There is also concern that the health benefits of smoking marijuana are overrated. For instance, among glaucoma sufferers, in order to achieve benefits from the drug, patients would literally have to be stoned all the time. Unfortunately, the "efficacy" of marijuana is unclear because as an illicit drug studies to adequately test it have been thwarted by drug control agencies.
Scientist say that marijuana can negatively affect cognition and motor function. It also affects short term memory and can interfere with perception and learning. Physical health effects include lung damage. .
One person who is against the legalization of marijuana as medicine is Eric A.
