marijuana informative essay
Kevin Kogelman
Mrs. Turner
English 131.74
November 4, 2014
Marijuana in today’s society
In today’s society many people look at marijuana in both bad and good ways. There has been a long term controversy over the legalization of Marijuana in the United States. Even though marijuana is still medically illegal in some states because of its health risks, it has helped many people with diseases and disorders. Some may say that it should be legal to create a source of additional tax revenues, and also so police and courts could be freed up for more serious crimes. As of today’s society, Marijuana remains illegal due to many psychological and physical effects it has on its users along with harmful effects. Users of marijuana seek a euphoric feeling or as many know it as a “high” feeling caused by the drug. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the most notable cannabinoid that enters the body and creates this feeling users seek by stimulating brain cells to release dopamine, which is a chemical found in the brain. There is limited research on long term effects caused by marijuana, as for short term effects we have pretty much have covered. Short memory, attention, judgment, coordination, and balance are all acute effects, but are not limited to impairments. The heart rate of a user increases as well as their blood pressure. After inhaling marijuana smoke bronchial passages enlarge and relax just seconds after. Blood vessels in the eye expand, which usually makes the users eyes red and bloodshot. An increase in appetite occurs along with altered perception of time also happens when consuming marijuana. Wax, edibles, tinctures, hash, oils and topical medications are all forms of marijuana. Topical medications are lotions, salve, lip balms, and ointments. Tinctures are typically alcohol extractions of plant material, and in herbal medicine, alcoholic tinctures are made with various ethanol concentrations. Wax or also known as hash oil, BHO, full melt, honey oil, or budder is
Mrs. Turner
English 131.74
November 4, 2014
Marijuana in today’s society
In today’s society many people look at marijuana in both bad and good ways. There has been a long term controversy over the legalization of Marijuana in the United States. Even though marijuana is still medically illegal in some states because of its health risks, it has helped many people with diseases and disorders. Some may say that it should be legal to create a source of additional tax revenues, and also so police and courts could be freed up for more serious crimes. As of today’s society, Marijuana remains illegal due to many psychological and physical effects it has on its users along with harmful effects. Users of marijuana seek a euphoric feeling or as many know it as a “high” feeling caused by the drug. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the most notable cannabinoid that enters the body and creates this feeling users seek by stimulating brain cells to release dopamine, which is a chemical found in the brain. There is limited research on long term effects caused by marijuana, as for short term effects we have pretty much have covered. Short memory, attention, judgment, coordination, and balance are all acute effects, but are not limited to impairments. The heart rate of a user increases as well as their blood pressure. After inhaling marijuana smoke bronchial passages enlarge and relax just seconds after. Blood vessels in the eye expand, which usually makes the users eyes red and bloodshot. An increase in appetite occurs along with altered perception of time also happens when consuming marijuana. Wax, edibles, tinctures, hash, oils and topical medications are all forms of marijuana. Topical medications are lotions, salve, lip balms, and ointments. Tinctures are typically alcohol extractions of plant material, and in herbal medicine, alcoholic tinctures are made with various ethanol concentrations. Wax or also known as hash oil, BHO, full melt, honey oil, or budder is