Social Effects Of Marijuana

Effects of Marijuana on the Human Condition Marijuana use has become a prevalent topic among society and legalization has become a popular issue in domestic policy. It is commonly referred to as the “gateway drug” and is proven to have a plethora of short-term effects on the body. Recently, research has begun to show that a chronic use of marijuana affects the body in a larger scope as well. While there are many arguments advocating the legalization of marijuana; the harmful effects of marijuana outweigh the possible positive uses. These harmful effects are not only physically detrimental to the human respiratory system as well as cardiovascular health, but socially inhibiting in the workplace, and emotionally damaging to one’s emotional growth.
Kristen Weir wrote about these issues in her article, Marijuana on the developing brain when she said, “Heavy marijuana use in adolescence or early adulthood has been associated with a dismal set of life outcomes including poor school performance, higher dropout rates, increased welfare dependence, greater unemployment and lower life satisfaction,” (Weir). With more and more states starting to consider legalizing recreational marijuana while others have already done so, another predicament has arisen; does marijuana having a lasting social effect on its users? One social problem associated with doing any drug is the stereotype that comes along with it. People can look at a user differently knowing that they are a “stoner” or think that a person is less respectable or appropriate because of the fact that they do drugs. Another issue is that currently many work places have started to drug test their employees. There are many reasons for why an employer would choose to drug test their employees, the most important reasons include “Deter employees from abusing alcohol and drugs, prevent hiring individuals who use illegal drugs and provide a safe workplace for employees” (Smith). If an employee is using marijuana and fail a drug test at work, they can be fired and it may be hard to find another job. Drug tests are also used by the
One concern associated with the emotional side effects of using marijuana is the inability of users trying to empathize with other’s emotions. A study done at Colorado State University showed that, when connected to an electroencephalogram (EEG), on average “cannabis users scored lower in a task that asked them to focus on the sex of the face and then to identify the emotion. This suggests a reduced ability to ‘implicitly’ identify emotions and to empathize on a deeper emotional level,” (Brazier). This led researchers to conclude that marijuana affects the brains aptitude to process implied emotions. Another possible side effect of long term marijuana use is, “depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among teens,” (“Marijuana”). Those side effects are due to the fact that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the ingredient in marijuana that causes the “high,” can bind to many different neurotransmitters which interferes and inhibits the brains normal function. After an extended period of using marijuana, the brain can get used to THC binding to the many different neurotransmitters and, in turn, mess with the chemical balances in the brain. Many people who smoke do not think that there are any long term emotional effects associated with marijuana, but many studies have found evidence that, “Long-term use can have a depressant effect and reduce motivation,” (“Cannabis and mental health”).