Marijuana is a subject of intense debate not only in the United States but to the world as a whole on whether it poses any risk to the body. Marijuana is a type of plant that contains components that alter the mind. Interestingly, Marijuana is the most common drug used in the United States, especially among the youth, and its use has steadily been on the rise since the late 1990s (National Library on Medicine, 2017). A survey was conducted in 2021, and its findings were that about 11.8 million youths aged between 18 and 25 use Marijuana (National Institute on Health, 2022). However, the fact that the drug can be used for medical purposes and its recreational use is harmful to the body.
Marijuana has a negative impact on mental health. Heavy users of cannabis suffer from depression and anxiety disorder and are more likely to think of committing suicide than a person who does not use Marijuana. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration surveyed in 2014 and found that 20.2 million people in America were suffering from substance disorders (Mason et al.,2017). Moreover, 7.9 individuals from this group had mental health disorders. Depression, which is highly linked to Marijuana, can make a young adult drop out of school, miss out on employment opportunities and also struggle in their relationship (Lewis & Srinivasan, 2024). Most people who take marijuana end up being a liability to society since they are unproductive.
Smoking Marijuana causes respiratory diseases. Compared to tobacco, Marijuana contains irritants that are harmful to the throat and lungs, which may result in throat cancer and lung cancer, respectively. Unfortunately, people who smoke Marijuana are more likely to visit the hospital due to respiratory problems than those who do not (Ribeiro & Ind, 2018). Also, cannabis does not only affect the respiratory organs, but it weakens the immunity system, which is the body’s ability to fight diseases (National et al. (US), 2017). People who are HIV positive and smoke marijuana are at higher risk of contracting opportunistic diseases such as tuberculosis. Much debate has risen as to whether Marijuana causes lung cancer like the smoke of tobacco.
Despite these concerns, Marijuana has some benefits. Marijuana is made up of many components, and the most notable are THC and CBD. THC is the substance that is responsible for people feeling “high” in Marijuana. At the same time, CBD is a non-intoxicating component that is found in the form of drinks and other products used for medicinal purposes (Johnson &Wales University, 2021). Marijuana is the most commonly used drug for pain relief in the United States, and it is estimated that 85% of support the legalization of Marijuana in America (Grinspoon, 2020). A study by the Rockefeller Institute of Medical Research shows that the CBD component in Marijuana can reduce inflammation and the neuropathic pain it causes.
Marijuana holds the promise of medical application in the near future, but its harmful effect on the human body due to its use for recreational purposes cannot be ignored. Different studies have shown that there is a direct relationship between heavy intake of Marijuana and mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety disorder. Additionally, cognitive impairment and an increase in respiratory diseases such as pneumonia have greatly underscored the benefits of marijuana consumption. However, the positive impact of Marijuana should not be overlooked, especially in the world of science. Nevertheless, proper regulation should be enacted in the United States to prevent its harmful effects on the body, and the youth should be educated against its use for recreation purposes. Interestingly, Marijuana is the most common drug used in the United States, especially among the youth, and its use has steadily been on the rise since the late 1990s.
Reference
National Library of Medicine (2017). The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research. National Academies Press (US)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425748/
National Institute on Health (2022). Marijuana DrugFacts. National Institute on Drug Abuse https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/cannabis-marijuana
Rebecca D Crean, Natania A. Crane, Barbara J. Mason (2017). An Evidence-Based Review of Acute and Long-Term Effects of Cannabis. National Library of Medicine, volume 5, pp 1-8
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3037578/#:~:text=THC%20intoxication%20has%20been%20shown,and%20control%20emotions%20and%20behavior.
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