Marijuana Use in Youth

Marijuana Use in Youth

Introduction

The impact of marijuana on youth is adverse and leads to negative consequences when consumed in a huge amount by the youth. Marijuana is a plant that contains a psychoactive chemical in its leaves, flowers and buds. It is the most common drug that is consumed by the youth in today's society. According to statistics, forty two percent of American adults have confirmed the use of marijuana. The impact of marijuana is not as deadly as compared to the other drugs, but it is banned. This paper will discuss the impact of marijuana on the youth and will also talk about its legalization.

As a Medicine

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) did a report the facts in its 1999, Marijuana and Medicine. Stating that cannabis reportedly helped with the symptoms of the illness or disease such as the five most prominent symptoms include, pain, nausea and vomiting, wasting syndrome and appetite stimulation, neurological symptoms (including muscle spasticity), and glaucoma.

By holding marijuana illicit, we are harming our nation far more than the pharmaceutical itself could ever dream of. If all regulations outlawing marijuana were to be retracted, several innovative changes would occur (Jackson, 1999). The first being that it would take away the “Forbidden crop” facet of the drug, making it less appealing to youth who are tempted by the considered of rebelling. Also, marijuana and its hardworking components would proceed through the same mainstream processing as other products such as cigarettes and alcohol (Wilsey et al. 2008). Filtered marijuana tobacco and THC laced, edibles would drastically improve the wellbeing associated facets of the drug. The real question at hand is not 'why should marijuana become legal', but 'why are we keeping it illegal?

Use of Marijuana

There is no evidence that prohibition lessens drug use and there are several theories that suggest prohibition increases drug use. The prohibition of alcohol also removed a significant source of tax revenue from the government and increased government spending to enforce to the laws. These are the same issues that are occurring currently due to the prohibition of marijuana use. Since marijuana is not legal, people must go to drug dealers to purchase the plant. The dealers do not care whom they sell it to, and they also sell other drugs. This is creating a large amount of underground black market much like the alcohol prohibition. Prohibition does not solve the problem of drug or marijuana use but rather increases it just like it did to alcohol in the 1920s. Marijuana should also be legalized for its medical use (Robins, 2003).

The marijuana industry has huge economical advantages such as the agricultural benefit for the society. Farmer's income would increase rapidly if they have the right to grow marijuana in their gardens. “A few marijuana plants can double my income and increase my net several times,” said a Wisconsin flower farmer. Furthermore, marijuana crops would guarantee jobs for many unemployed people in addition to the survival of little farms. Another economical advantage would ...