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Michael Bryant

Dr. Early

Composition 104

4/4/12

Marijuana

“Few Americans today can say they're complete strangers to marijuana; they either had

stoner friends in high school, or they got a contact high at a Guns N' Roses concert, or they

themselves have inhaled. Marijuana use among Americans increased 8 percent last year, with

16.7 million people smoking pot in the past month alone.”(Conant and Maloney par. 8)

Marijuana is the dried leaves and female flowers of the hemp plant, used in cigarette

form as a narcotic or hallucinogen. The drug is easy to obtain and is illegally distributed

nationwide; the popular opinion of most citizens is that it should be legalized and put into the

nation’s economic system.

In a recently conducted survey at Morris College students who don’t smoke marijuana

were asked “What is their true reason for not trying the drug?” They then had to pick one of

three answers, either logos (logical), ethos (ethics and morals), and pathos (emotions) the reason

I asked them this question was to check the feelings of non-smokers and their personal reason for

not smoking. This question was only asked to 33 people and out of the 33, 12 people equally

claimed they do not smoke because of ethics and morals, and also because of emotions. In many

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opinions of people in the U.S. the immorality of marijuana causes a sudden popularity of the

drug and the influence to try it.

I did a survey here, at Morris College, to see how people feel about marijuana.

Age: _______

Male Female

1. Have you ever smoked marijuana? Yes 27 No 6

If yes did you have a positive experience? Yes 20 No 13

2. Are you around the drug frequently? Yes 29 No 4

3. Do you feel as if your perception of life changed after you experienced the drug? Yes 31

No 2

If yes, better 32 worse 1

4. Do you consider Marijuana a gateway drug? Yes 12 No 21

5. To NON smokers what is your reason for not trying?

Logos (logical) 9 Ethos (ethics and morals) 12 Pathos (emotions)12

6. Do you feel marijuana should be legalized? Yes 21 No 12

If yes should there be an age restriction? Age: ____

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Comments:

______________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

(Example of survey)

The legalization of marijuana has been an issue for many years now. Due to the fact that

it is illegal now there are a lot of problems concerning crime rates, the protection of children, and

even financial stability of the American economy. “According to the much-discussed study,

legalizing all illicit drugs would save the government $41.3 billion a year in law-enforcement

costs and generate some $46.7 billion in tax revenue; marijuana would account for $8.7 billion of

the savings, and another $8.7 billion in taxes.” (Conant and Maloney par. 5)

According to Dr. Walter Butler, a Religion professor here at Morris College, stated in the

lecture that the U.S. National Debt is $15,582,078,681,189 as of today. After subtracting the

profits marijuana legalization would bring in, numbers given by Conant and Maloney above, it is

about $15,471,378,681,189 left in the U.S. debt. The estimated profits marijuana would bring in

are about $ 110.7 billion dollars a year and can slowly help minimize the U.S. national debt.

(Conant and Maloney)

The crime rate of youth as it pertains to marijuana has been increasing dramatically. ''It's

completely out of control,'' Mr. Robertson said. ''Prisons are being overcrowded with juvenile

offenders having to do with drugs. And the penalties, the maximums, some of them could get 10

years for possession of a joint of marijuana. It makes no sense at all.''(McKinley) Within the

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general population of Americans using marijuana the youth are the main concern, from the ages

of 14-21 marijuana use would be at its highest. Most smokers stop once they reach career and

employment opportunities due to the fact that it is illegal and most of the jobs in America today

require drug tests.

Most people try marijuana due to stress; they have been stressed out and tried to calm

down, to no avail, and it leads them to the drug. It is a relaxing drug because it calms the muscles

down and puts the body in a sleep like state. Imagine the relaxation that the body feels from an

eight hour sleep, but instead of being sleep the user is up doing all different types of activities

and productive events.

While being high a normal user can do everything he can do sober. They can conduct all

normal body activities and functions at normal paces. For example there are some people who

smoke then go play sports such as basketball. They do this because marijuana causes them to

focus honestly causing a self-high. They then focus on the game and really tune into the purpose

of the game causing a sudden confidence boost encouraging them to win. While being a normal

user a lot of information is processed and used in daily life. Users learn that marijuana is a brain

drug and they are as high as they imagine.

When inhaled Marijuana is absorbed into the blood and carried throughout the body.

Increase in heart rate and the expansion of blood vessels cause for the red eyes of a smoker. The

active ingredient THC is also absorbed in the brain causing euphoria. (Duncan par. 7)

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When high the users brain functions differently in the areas that control, feeling, balance,

coordination and senses. Memories for smokers are often vague due to THC being absorbed

most in the brain where short term memory is involved. (Elwood par. 8) Frequent smokers often

admit to having difficulty remembering only when they beginners.

After marijuana is entered into the body and bloodstream all 5 senses are affected, and

the amount of usage determines whether the senses are increased or decreased. For example a

beginning smoker senses may dwindle down after experimenting with the drug due to the body

experiencing THC for the first time. For normal users of the drug the senses are technically

heightened for the time period of being high. The touch of everything is softer, food and drink

taste different, hearing and sense of smell increases, eyesight is expanded to a wider view. A user

under the influence eyes will be very low causing a common reason to look down, but as they are

looking down they can still see what is in front of them. Users often tend to smoke and walk

around looking down texting a lot and they will never fall or trip because their eyesight is

increased.

Many smokers of marijuana get what is called the “Munchies”. The “Munchies” is the

excessive need for food. When under the influence smokers consume massive amounts of food

due to the fact that THC is absorbed by fat cells in the body. When this happens the user gets a

very strong urge for food. One problem with The “Munchies” is that it may cause sudden weight

gain. This happens due to the fact that when the TCH runs out the fat cells are now back and they

take on the food.

There are different types of marijuana causing different highs and effects on the body.

Used in the life of youth is recreational marijuana, it is a dried out version that is grown

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differently. Recreational users are looking for a state of pleasure and self-actualization while

being under the influence. Another type of marijuana is Medical marijuana, a version of

marijuana legal in 9 states, and it is frequently used when prescribed. “Medical marijuana users

seek varieties that either modify conditions such as nausea or glaucoma, or act as analgesics or as

pain separators. People who use it for psychological reasons look for qualities that relieve their

gnawing symptoms.”(Joffe and Yancy par.10)

Often, patients of Medical marijuana seek milder varieties than recreational users, since

they aren't interested in the same type of potency. They may prefer a variety that is potent in its

treatment of their symptoms but delivers a milder psychoactive experience. Medical marijuana

can be distributed to ages 18-up because all the conditions it can help, such as nausea and

glaucoma, can be diagnosed at all ages.

Marijuana, less addictive and dangerous , than Alcohol , which by the way kills a lot

more people and cost the government for more cost and rehab and otherwise. Also, Gambling,

which is legal in the U.S., has been known to cause many to end their lives, and ruin their lives. I

doubt Marijuana has been the downfall of that many. (Joffe and Yancy par.18) Marijuana is not

really an addicting drug but it is not for everyone.

I interviewed Tyler Darden esquire, a black lawyer in New Jersey who graduated college

and the law school of Virginia State University. The reason I interviewed him because he is a

former marijuana smoker. He admits that he smoked marijuana in college and he did it a lot.

When asked how he felt about the drug in college he responded “I loved Mary! She was good to

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me. I looked at her as the women she was and she was the main women in my life at the time,

smiles and laughs. He was then asked other questions such as

Q: Where you ever addicted?

A: No, I personally feel that you cannot be addicted to marijuana. Marijuana is not a

desirable drug, it should not be a priority in someone’s life it should be a side event. You still put

everything you need first and then when you are complete you have extra time for marijuana.

When you are addicted to anything it primarily is your number 1 priority and you put all your

time into your addiction. Someone can overuse it and it can lead to other drugs. But, I sincerely

believe a person can use marijuana and still function as a coherent person. I would smoke

marijuana in college after a full day of completing task working hard. After my friends and I

were done all of our work would relax after smoking.

Q: Is Marijuana good for everyone?

A: NO, why because it will and can make you lethargic lazy and careless, or carefree,

and alter your sense of reality, which in the long term can cause, you to forget to attend to certain

things. In other words, you become so caught up in being stoned all the time you never get

anything done. Some people are genetically prone to substance abuse so of course they should

avoid all substances. Also people who are emotionally disturbed should also avoid marijuana

because marijuana can intensify negative emotions as it does positive emotions.

Q: Do you think marijuana should be legalized?

A: Plants should be legal, natural remedies should be legal. If marijuana was legal there

would be a string of crime eliminated from our social systems as well as help the government

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manage and profit off of marijuana. If extremely harmful and highly taxed substances such as

liquor and tobacco are incorporated in the United States economic system so should marijuana.

Q: If legalized, what age should marijuana be able to be purchased?

A: 19 years of age.

Q: What was your reason to stop smoking?

A: It was a personal choice for me. I really do not have the time anymore the

excess time I spoke of earlier now goes to my career and my family.

Q: How would you feel if your children did marijuana?

A: I would sit down with them and explain the dangers of it on a social level, but

if my child is anything like me they will make their own decisions no matter how much I

police them. Hopefully I raised them to be responsible and make the correct decisions

that better them in life.

A field observation was then conducted in Hamilton New Jersey. The field observation

consisted of a teenage male smoking a whole blunt of marijuana by himself. This in the street is

known as taking a blunt to the face.

I had a field observation of my friend smoking a whole blunt by himself for the first time

to witness his actions when he was under the influence of marijuana. It was his first time

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smoking a whole blunt by himself; he only has been smoking a couple of months. As we went to

the store to pick up a swisher sweet cigar he seemed excited because all of our friends have done

it before and he was the last one to try. After he purchased the cigar he rolled it up and started to

smoke it. The time was around 3 pm and it took him roughly 15 minutes to finish. He says he is

very high but he looks fine. We then held a conversation

Me- how do you feel?

Friend- it’s its it’s a great feeling. I am so high but yet I feel so functional (he stands up

and starts to dance)

Me- you’re dancing like always I see. Do you feel any different than normal?

Friend- no actually I feel a lot better. I feel more focus and intact with my body and

movements. I feel like instead of just hearing the beat through my ears. I can feel it in my entire

body it is a warming feeling and it makes you feel good.

*he then played a song and started to dance for a video*

Friend- I feel like my body weight is at 100 lbs. right now and I am not a small guy.

Me- so do you like this feeling of when you face a whole blunt?

Friend- yes and if I did not have track and football to worry about I would do it a lot more

Me- being high right now do you feel like weed should be legal?

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Friend- yes, for most adults I feel it should be legal. Weed is a plant and it can help in

different ways that I do not know, but I look into it all the time and it seems to do more good

than bad.

In about an hour his high started to wear off. As he was coming down he did the same

things he did while being high but a tad slower this time. According to him he could not focus as

much because he was not high. Once he came down he said he felt good and wanted to do it

again for the simple fact that he said it was one of the best feelings in his life.

Is there a down side of Marijuana?

The risks of smoking marijuana go up with heavy use. Although it has never been

proven, many experts believe heavy pot smokers are at increased risk for lung cancer. “Heavy

marijuana use lowers men's testosterone levels and sperm count and quality.” (Houston par. 15)

Pot could decrease libido and fertility in some heavy-smoking men. Among heavy pot smokers,

the rates of dependence are higher.

In a recently conducted personal interview with Sarah Howard, a Narcotics officer in

New Jersey, she stated that the use of marijuana should remain illegal because of the health

issue. Being a narcotics officer she seen firsthand the dangers and effects of marijuana. She was

asked if she ever tried the drug, and she responded “a couple of times when I was in college

nothing major, but who hasn’t tried marijuana. The drug is influenced around teenagers all the

time.”

Q: Do you feel marijuana is a gateway Drug?

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A: Is pot a "gateway" drug? The jury is still out on this one. It's true that pot

smokers are more likely to use other drugs after trying marijuana. What's not clear is

whether smoking pot causes further drug use or if people who start smoking pot are just

more likely to try drugs in general.

Q: Do you feel Marijuana is addicting and what are some symptoms and effects of

heavy Marijuana smoking?

A: Many experts also believe that marijuana is physically addictive. Me

personally I don’t feel like its addicting, but I have seen some people who put marijuana

over everything. Those are the people with problems. Symptoms from heavy pot might

include:

Aggression

Anxiety

Depressed mood

Decreased appetite

Q: Does Marijuana stay in your system, if yes how long does Marijuana stay in

your system?

A: Marijuana does stay in your system after smoking it depends on how often you

smoke. Light users who smoke pot will have a negative drug screen after a marijuana-

free week. Heavy users sometimes called "stoners" may continue testing positive for a

month after last smoking pot.

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Q: Do you have any close family members who are considered as stoners, and if

they are what do you feel about them and do you feel that they are a threat to society?

A: Unfortunately I do, my younger brother was considered a stoner. He started at

a young age and smoked just about every day for a solid 2 year. Once he left college he

became an engineer and retired from heavy marijuana use. I love my little brother! He

means the world to me. No was not a threat, he never was in trouble with the law, he

never flunked out of school, he always passed his classes with high grades, and he didn’t

let marijuana run his life.

In conclusion, marijuana is the dried leaves and female flowers of the hemp plant, used in

cigarette form as a narcotic or hallucinogen. It is a highly popular drug is banned in several

countries including the United States. Many people, including myself, believe that marijuana

should be legal because it is a lot less harmful than other legalized substances such as alcohol

and tobacco. It has several positive medical attributes and has been used to treat diseases such as

glaucoma, cancer and HIV/AIDS. If legalized it could help stimulate the American economic

system by creating a new product to be taxed. It would also cut down the amount of crime the

United States has that is marijuana related as well as help the government control and contain

marijuana.

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Works Cited

Butler, Walter. Lecture. Morris College. 10 Apr. 2012.

Conant, Eve. Maloney, Kate. "Pot And The GOP." Newsweek 156.18 (2010): 30-35. Readers'

Guide Full Text Mega (H.W. Wilson). Web. 12 Apr. 2012.

Darden, Tyler. Personal Interview. 5 Apr. 2012

Duncan, Cynthia S., student author. "The Need For Change: An Economic Analysis Of

Marijuana Policy." Connecticut Law Review 41.5 (2009): 1701-1740. OmniFile Full Text Mega

(H.W. Wilson). Web. 15 Apr. 2012.

Elwood, James. "Marijuana - Marijuana Use and Effects of Marijuana." WebMD. WebMD, 02

Mar. 0001. Web. 15 Apr. 2012. <http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/marijuana-use-and-its-

effects>.

Howard, Sarah. Personal Interview. 7 Apr. 2012

Houston, Aaron. "Budding Prospects." Nation 291.26 (2010): 22-25. OmniFile Full Text Mega

(H.W. Wilson). Web. 16 Apr. 2012.

Joffe, Alain, and W. Samuel Yancy. "Legalization Of Marijuana: Potential Impact On Youth."

Pediatrics 113.6 (2004): e632-e638. Academic Search Premier. Web. 13 Apr. 2012.

McKINLEY, JESSE. "Pat Robertson Says Marijuana Use Should be Legal." New York Times

08 Mar. 2012: 14. OmniFile Full Text Mega (H.W. Wilson). Web. 13 Apr. 2012.

Rochman, Bonnie, Maia Szalavitz, and Alice Park. "Is Marijuana Addictive? It Depends How You Define Addiction | Healthland | TIME.com." Time. Time. Web. 13 Apr. 2012.

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<http://healthland.time.com/2010/10/19/is-marijuana-addictive-it-depends-how-you-define-addiction/>.