Marijuana is a plant that causes a lot of controversy. While society is divided in its feelings towards legal consumption of it, there are other safety and health issues associated with marijuana use to consider. A main issue at the root of this division is assessing the potential dangers of this drug.

An active ingredient in marijuana is THC which is a chemical that causes alterations in the mind. Upon consumption it immediately goes straight into the bloodstream and then to the brain and other body organs. The effects of marijuana are varied; there are many short and long term effects which cause bodily harm to the user (Nida website, retrieved 2007). The plant itself doesn't present the only danger in usage; unless a trusted source grows, cultivates and processes it, marijuana may have other drugs and additives supplemented, which makes it even more harmful.

Whether marijuana usage is recreational, habitual or an addiction, it has some kind of impact on the body. Inhalation can lead to cancer, respiratory problems, short-term memory loss and depression. Other effects are an increased risk of heart attack, deterioration of coordination, impaired balance and it contributes to lung ailments such as chronic bronchitis. All of these ailments and reactions are pretty hazardous side effects.

Marijuana usage doesn't just cause physical bodily harm. In looking at the dangers of this plant there are several other issues to consider, such as the social problems associated with inhalation of this drug. Danger can rear it's head in many circumstances; other ways marijuana leads to dangerous conditions is the impacts it has on families, social settings and the workplace.

Not only does the user experience adverse effects on their own body, but it affects other people too. Since marijuana usage alters the senses, causing euphoric feelings and delayed reactions, it impairs judgment. This can directly impact others in the vicinity of the person using, especially if the user experiencing a "high" is taking part in activities such as driving, caring for children, or is at work. Aside from the physical complications that a marijuana user brings to their own body, the impairments it causes put others in their vicinity in a state of risk; another reason why this drug is dangerous.

Supporters of marijuana argue that it's a freedom issue and it should be treated the same as alcohol. They state it's just a plant that grows in a natural environment and how can that be dangerous? Granted, it grows without human interference, but does that mean everything that comes naturally from the earth is safe for ingestion? Would anyone drink crude oil as a beverage? Or use the oils of poison ivy, another natural plant, as bath oil? Clearly not all of the earth's natural resources are nontoxic and safe for human usage.

Whatever the stance on marijuana, one can hardly argue that the plant is not dangerous when inhaled or ingested. It's not hard to understand the personal choice arguments that supporters make, even if you don't agree with them, however even supporters can't dispute the fact there are risks associated with its usage. There is too much medical and social evidence to prove otherwise.

Reference:
http://www.nida.nih.gov/Resear chReports/Marijuana/Marijuana2 .html#what

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