Pablo Cipres

Ms. Figueroa

English

1 November 2018 Commented [PC1]:

Commented [PC2]: I put this in and changed font

The Future of Cannabis

For decades now Cannabis has been demonized by many and deemed a schedule one

drug in the United States. While many see it as a harmful drug, others take delight in using

cannabis and continue to fight for legalization with some success in a few states. Cannabis is

made up of two chemicals, tetrahydrocannabinol the term THC which is the psycho active part of

the drug. Cannabidiol, also known is as CBD is the second chemical that makes up cannabis and

is the non- psychoactive part of the drug. Cannabis gained popularity in the early 1900’s brought

by the Mexicans who flooded the U.S after the Mexican Revolution. Fear spreaded throughout

U.S with Cannabis being associated with immigrants. Anti- Drug campaigns began to surface to

sway citizen’s opinions and criminalize those who used it. Cannabis was widely and mostly used

by lower class citizens; black and Mexicans, and were often targeted and associated with crime

and violence. Cannabis to this day remains controversial even with more open acceptance to it.

While some citizens are still in agreements with the outlaw of cannabis, others believe it not to

only to a medicine for patients but a safer vice to use in comparison to alcohol.

There are many medical benefits towards legal recreational cannabis. Cannabis is a great

substitution instead of all of their prescribed narcotics that come from these pharmacy.

“Scientific study of the chemical in cannabis called cannabinoids, has led to two FDA-approved

medications that contain cannabinoids chemicals in pill form”. The FDA takes the chemical out

of cannabis and puts it in pill form to treat patients in need. “One of the mokmst celebrated
health benefits of cbd oil is its analgesic (pain relieving) effects”. Cannabis can benefit victims of

anxiety, diabetes, insomnia and many more sicknesses. It’s also mind-blowing how two

chemicals can make up this medicine for the people in need.

The country is going to see an increase in the economy and also a gross in income.

One way cannabis can boost the economy is giving the community jobs. “Meanwhile

fully legalizing cannabis today would add 654,000 jobs and up to 1 million jobs by 2025”.

According to Forbes magazine fully legalizing cannabis would boost the economy in a major

way. Cannabis is helping the economy by funding scholarships in the state of Colorado. “Last

year the country dedicated 420,000 to scholarships for 210 students”. Colorado is one of the first

states to legalize cannabis and it has been showing many positive benefits. If Colorado by itself

impacts there state in a positive way, the rest of the country should follow. Overall, legalizing

cannabis would bring money to the country.

In America there are many illegal drugs going through coming from the border of Mexico

ran by the cartels. If cannabis was legal all over the .U.S It would cut down cartels drug profits.”

among u.s. States bordering Mexico that have medical marijuana laws (MMLs) they found that

California saw the highest overall reduction in violent crime, at 15% and Arizona the lowest with

a 7% drop”. My quote is providing data about how the states bordering Mexico have medical

marijuana laws, which reduces overall violent crimes. When states do not have legal cannabis the

consumers are forced to buy cannabis of the black market. “Researchers suggest that he drop can

be attributed to cannabis users no longer having to rely on black market products from Mexico

which has been providing the bulk of cannabis product consumed in the .U.S for decades”. The

Mexican cartel have been in control the cannabis products for nearly a decade, until legal

competition came to play.

 Clinical data shows concerns with teens using cannabis. When teens use cannabis it will

slow down the growth of their frontal lobe. “A study published by northwestern university in the

journal hippocampus showed through MRIs, an oddly shaped hippocampus in adolescent who’d

used marijuana heavily at ages 16 or 17 for a period of three years”. My quote is backing up my

claim in the sense of children and teen should not be consuming cannabis because it can slow

down their thought process. It is very difficult to determine the THC level when stopped by law

enforcement. “Nevertheless, there is no set level of THC the psychoactive component of

cannabis that determines whether you’re over or under the limit for being impaired”. This quote

makes sense because the cannabis level can stay in our system up to day’s even weeks and there

is no telling when it was first consumed. In conclusion, the lack of proper regulations and

parameters are enough evidence to keep cannabis illegal.

Marijuana may be addictive and is also known to be a gateway drug. Avid cannabis

consumers may steer their way towards other drugs to explore and be curious. “Rat previously Commented [PC3]: Change the there to their

administered THC showed heightened behavioral response not only when further exposed to

THC but also when exposed to other drugs such as morphine a phenomenon called cross

sensitization”. These findings are consistent with the idea of cannabis as a gateway drug”.

Marijuana use can lead to the development of problem use, also known as marijuana use disorder

than adults”. Marijuana use disorders are often associated with dependence in which a person

feels withdrawal symptoms when not taking the drug. In conclusion, cannabis may be addictive

towards certain individuals and a gateway to the consumers that get curious.

In my response to my counterclaims I believe that marijuana can affect teens developed,

but the argument is to legalize marijuana to twenty one and up. Also many people mindset are

different than others. Most consumers are satisfied with the high cannabis gives them, they do
not have to go out and explore other drugs. Medical cannabis should be legal throughout the

country.my initial argument is about the many medical benefits that supports patience’s. For my

second argument I briefly mentioned how cannabis will fund scholarships and also the tax from

dispensaries fund schools. My third paragraph is focused on the cartel and black market taking

over the cannabis market if cannabis is not legalized. My first action I would do is gain a group

of supporters that believe and are interested in the same movement.my action will help because it

essentially planting a seed to start a bigger movement and it will lead toward opening ballets so

cannabis will be legalized throughout the United States.