MARIJUANA'S HARMFUL EFFECTS IGNORED BY DRUG'S ADVOCATES

This is a response to "Legalizing marijuana can help economy." Even
though both writers make some plausible arguments for legalization, I
would like to refute some of their claims.

Both articles argue that marijuana is a harmless substance. Mr. White
goes as far as stating that: "[Marijuana] has never killed a single
person." Perhaps I should point out that THC, the main ingredient in
marijuana, is both addictive and harmful. A simple examination of its
pathway in the body can confirm this principle: After its
consumption, THC doesn't reach the brain significantly, but a large
amount is stored in the fat tissues and is gradually secreted into
the blood over the course of several weeks. As a result of this
property, THC has a more damaging effect than alcohol, which is
excreted quickly from the body due to its water-solubility
characteristic. There have also been reports that marijuana contains
around 60 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco,
increasing the risk of emphysema as well as various forms of cancer.

Let me carry on by mentioning some other harmful effects of marijuana
both on its users and on the other member of the society. According
to the Mosby's Dictionary of Medicine, "marijuana use affects
alertness, concentration, perception, and reaction time," all
critical to the safe operation of automobiles. According to the
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration,
approximately 6 to 11 percent of fatal-accident victims tested
positive for THC and the emergency department episodes involving
marijuana has almost tripled in the last decade. Thus, just looking
at the abovementioned facts should provide enough evidence to dispute
the notion that marijuana use "has not killed a single person."

In closing, I believe there are healthier ways of restoring the economy.

Mehrdad Ghahramani

senior-pre-medicine