Marijuana consumption and addiction are increasing around the world despite being an illegal drug. The youths are affected by its addiction due to their vulnerability. The frequent use of marijuana is as a result of the legalization of the drug and its availability among the students. Marijuana is an addictive drug that has severe consequences on the brain and heart including psychiatric and cardiac disorders. Some states have legalized the use of marijuana, but others have made laws to fight against its abuse. The laws that were made have no significant effect on the abuse of marijuana because the numbers of the consumers are increasing. Marijuana has effects on the lives of its users including low educational attainment and engaging in criminal activities. The abuse of marijuana results in adverse effects on the users which should be reduced to the save lives of the next and existing generations.
Individual and Social Implications of Marijuana
Studies indicate that marijuana has negative consequences on memory, understanding along with keenness which lasts for days or weeks after its consumption. Frequent use of marijuana results in reduced intellectual capacity for prolonged periods (Arria et al., 2015) . An increase in school dropout is attributed to the high use of marijuana among students. The research was carried out in some states, and it was found that most marijuana users do not complete their education. Marijuana users are exposed to its dependence and development of suicidal thoughts. In the family setup, the use of marijuana results in low income, increased dependence on welfare, criminal activities along with the loss of employment (Arria et al., 2015) .
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Marijuana has long-term consequences for the user. Youths who abuse the drug develop brain disorders which result in reduced communication along with verbal skills. The main component of marijuana that brings brain disorder is Tetrahydrocannabinol. THC brings slow growth and development of the brain. THC reduces the learning capacity and keenness on the daily activities (Arria et al., 2015) . Marijuana has long-term consequences on the user’s health because it contains carcinogenic hydrocarbon that is approximately 50 to 70 % higher than that of tobacco. Carcinogenic hydrocarbon exposes the user to the risk of getting lung and throat cancer. Other health problems are heart diseases along with damage to the central nervous system.
Marijuana has social effects on the user in the society they live. The drug is believed to have an impact on increased public insecurity, criminal activities and other anti-social practices. Individuals in the society have a perception that marijuana consumers lack self-control, mentally ill, are offensive, engage in criminal activities (Klofas & Letteney, 2012). The idea that marijuana has adverse effects and the perception that it is used by mentally ill individuals contribute to public insecurity. Studies indicate a cause-effect relationship between the consumption of marijuana and anti-social practices. Several conclusions from the studies indicate that the use of marijuana is the cause of aggressive practices and criminal cases including murder, onslaught along with rape. Researchers argue that the practices are brought by relaxation of normal inhibitions which weaken the impulsive controls and increase intrusive habits ("National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)," n.d.).
The use of marijuana can lead to non- violent practices including burglary or lewdness (Hall & Solowij, 2008). Other social indications on the consumption of marijuana include distortion of reality, insanity, temporary or long-term reduction in personal along with social obligations. Long-term use of the drug leads to the interference of the user’s moral and psychosocial integrity. These consequences affect the families and the societies of the users. The users of marijuana partly participate in daily and income generating tasks as a result of its social consequences and disorders (Hall & Solowij, 2008). Poverty levels rise among the marijuana users who increase the dependency rate on their families, state and other agencies responsible for their health.
Researchers’ Views
Colorado and Washington have made rules that permit the use of marijuana, but the remaining 21 states have legalized its consumption for healthcare purposes (Ghosh et al., 2016). This move attracted researchers from social and medical fields. Researchers claim that one out of every six teenagers has high chances of getting schizophrenia as a result of continuous consumption of the drug. Excessive use of marijuana reduces the intellectual potential and development among teenagers. People who drive after consuming marijuana have chances of causing accidents.
Cannabis sativa has no effects on the user's life, but the drug has consequences on the user’s school work, activities in the society and interrelationships. Moreover, long-term consumption of the drug affects the user’s cognitive function (Ghosh et al., 2016). Medical researchers claim that young people are vulnerable to the effects of cannabis sativa because parts of their brains are still developing. Teenagers who start taking the drug at an early stage have the risk of having a low IQ because their brain development is disrupted. Other health challenges in adults include stroke, heart attacks for those with heart problems and acute psychosis to individuals who have a history of schizophrenia.
Social Reactions and Public Policies
A body such as the American Society of Addictive Medicine supports the regulation of marijuana consumption and penalties on individuals found with the drug (Beckett & Herbert, 2013). The agency also focuses on the clinical analysis of the drug addicts and giving education along with counseling to the users. Many societies do not support laws that have permitted the use of cannabis. Citizens claim that the regulations should cover their security and health processes to prevent harmful effects of the drug.
Public policies and informal approaches to reducing the consumption of marijuana have brought positive effects on the members of the society. These methods increase positivity and knowledge on drugs among the individuals in the society. The society inculcates discipline among the young people, which helps them to be responsible for their actions within and outside their surroundings. The informal methods include the provision of education on the social and health effects of marijuana. As a result, individuals will make an effort to preserve their social life and health.
Alternative Recommendations
There are better solutions and methods besides legalization of marijuana. Legislations need to be formulated to protect the interest of citizens by reducing the consequences and risks associated with the consumption of cannabis. Laws should be formulated to regulate and monitor the cultivation along with the production of the drug. Agencies should be established to monitor and restrict the use of marijuana. The existing laws should be adjusted to license, register and control the production of the drug. Marijuana clubs need to be licensed, controlled and registered with a standard membership code. The clubs are restricted to have a certain amount of the drug and supply among the members. Public awareness on health and consumption of the drug should be done consistently to increase people’s understanding of it. Advertisements on marijuana should be banned to reduce its consumption.
The recommendations will be practical if they are incorporated accordingly and subject to the concerns of the people. The marijuana clubs will unite the consumers who will make it easier to monitor their reaction to the drug and formulate measures to reduce its severe consequences.
In conclusion, marijuana is still a common drug that is widely consumed in America primarily by the young people. The authorization of cannabis sativa leads to reducing its price, increasing the availability and accessibility. Many people will consume the drug resulting in a rise in poverty levels, health, and social consequences. The individual and social implications of the drug should be taken into account along with the necessary measures to control its consumption. There are better measures that can be used besides legalizing marijuana.
References
Arria, A. M., Caldeira, K. M., Bugbee, B. A., Vincent, K. B., & O’Grady, K. E. (2015). The academic consequences of marijuana use during college. Psychology Of Addictive Behaviors, 29 (3), 564-575.
Beckett, K., & Herbert, S. (2013). The Consequences and Costs of Marijuana Prohibition. International Review of Law and Economics , 77-100.
Ghosh, T., Van Dyke, M., Maffey, A., Whitley, E., Gillim-Ross, L., & Wolk, L. (2016). The Public Health Framework of Legalized Marijuana in Colorado. American Journal Of Public Health, 106 (1), 21-27.
Hall, W., & Solowij, N. (2012). Adverse effects of cannabis. The Lancet , 1611-1614.
Klofas, J., & Letteney, K. (2012). The Social and Legal Effects of Medical Marijuana: State Legislation and Rules. Washington DC: Centre for Public Safety Initiatives.
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) . Drugabuse.gov . Retrieved 22 March 2018, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/
