Young Writers Society

Note: Since many heated persuasive essays have been written on abortion, gay marriage, (reproductive rights), and religion, I thought I'd switch it up a bit. In this essay I'm going to talk about a problem that is just as big as the ones listed above... the legalization of marijuana. I also wanted to note that there is a paragraph on the opposing side of my opinion to keep it unbiased.

Twenty states in the USA have legalized the use of medical marijuana, and two states in the USA have legalized the use of marijuana whether with a medical license or without. In the rest of the country, the buying, selling, smoking, possession and other uses of marijuana are still illegal. Marijuana is the most used drug in the United States. Should recreational marijuana be made legal in the USA? Definitely not. Marijuana should not be made legal in the USA because it is harmful to your health, it can be harmful to your brain and it can harm others around you. In general, it just does more bad than good.

There are many ways in which you can use marijuana, however, most people prefer to smoke it. Studies show that the smoke from this harmful drug actually has 50% to 70% more cancer causing substances and chemicals than cigarette smoke. One joint can do as much damage to your lungs as five regular cigarettes that are chain smoked. It can also be harmful to the growth of your body as well as cause harm to your immune system. Getting high is not worth these health problems. Treat your body right, and your body will in turn treat you right.

One way in which marijuana can impact you in major ways is harm your brain. Studies show that teens that used marijuana on a regular basis showed five to ten points decrease in their IQ. It can also cause anxiety disorders, increase your chances of having panic attacks, reduce your ability to hold information and reduce sexual capacity. In order to keep yourself happy and healthy, you need to keep your brain healthy as well. If your goal is to do this, marijuana is definitely not something you should be using for recreational use.

While you may not think about this, using marijuana doesn't just impact you. It also impacts others around you. Marijuana is the second most frequently found substance in the bloodstream of drivers involved in fatal car accidents. It's also fairly common knowledge that while marijuana is known to create a relaxing high, it can also cause fear, paranoia and aggression in those that use it. These side effects can impact the way you behave and make you irritable which can lead to abusive behaviors towards others. When you choose to smoke marijuana, any number of people can be affected. Not just you.

While it's important to know that marijuana is not a safe drug to use for recreational uses, there also are a few benefits of using marijuana legally under the guidance of your doctor for legitimate health reasons. If used properly, marijuana has been known to slow the spread of cancer cells in certain aggressive cancers, as well as slow the progression of Alzheimer's. It is also known to be a pain reliever for cancer patients and automobile accident victims. However, just like any other drug you would put in your body, marijuana has pros and cons. You've read the cons listed above, and you've seen a short list of the pros. Now, the hard part. Decision time.

My decision has always been clear. Marijuana should not be made legal in the United States. However, in some cases, medical marijuana has been proven helpful in diseases like HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer's, and cancer. Medical marijuana can provide amazing benefits, and should be made legal throughout the United States. Recreational marijuana does not provide any long term benefits and is responsible for many deaths and accidents in the US. Whether or not you will put this deadly drug in your body is your choice, but the legalization of the drug will just make it easier for youths and for adults everywhere to ruin their lives with a single hit of what is becoming the most popular drug in the US.