Dangerous Aspects of Marijuana

Marijuana
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Marijuana
Drug abuse, especially among the youths, is one of the significant challenges that nations across the globe are facing. Marijuana, also known as ganja, weed, or herb, is among the drugs highly abused. The drug is made from the Cannabis Sativa plant dried leaves, stems, and seeds. Research has indicated that the plant has some mind-altering chemicals, THC, in addition to other chemical elements (NIDA, 2019). The drug has also been recognized as the most often used addictive drug after tobacco and alcohol. Folks usually smoke the drug on hand-rolled cigarettes. Also, the drug is mixed with edibles such as cookies and brownies. Reports published in 2018 indicated that not less than 11.8 million youths consumed the drug in the previous year (NIDA, 2019). However, many states have continued pressure to legalize marijuana for adult recreational and medical purposes. This essay explains the dangers associated with the consumption of marijuana and the long-term effects the drug has on the body and mind of teenagers.
Consumption of marijuana is associated with deterioration of heart health. The drug fastens an individual’s heartbeat after consumption hence immediately increasing the blood pressure. It also leads to heart diseases, increased chances of strokes, and other vascular illnesses. A significant number of scientific studies that link marijuana to heart attacks and strokes involve people who smoke the drug (CDC, 2021b). THC and other cannabinoids are released into the body upon smoking marijuana. Also, researchers have deduced that smoking marijuana releases additional substances present in tobacco smoke which are detrimental to the lungs and the cardiovascular system. In general, damages caused by marijuana on the cardiovascular system are attributable to a high risk of death to individuals who smoke the drug due to the effects on the system.
Additionally, marijuana consumption by expectant mothers results in child development issues during and after pregnancy. The use of marijuana during pregnancy is connected to lower birth of children. Also, the probability for brain and behavioral challenges for children whose parent consumed marijuana during pregnancy are high. Smoking marijuana affects the fetus’s brain development in the womb. Kids exposed to marijuana during pregnancy experience challenges in problem-solving, attention, and memory compared to never exposed children (SAMHSA, 2019). Also, reasonable THC elements are released into the breast milk of breastfeeding mothers. Continous use of marijuana leads to high THC in breast milk which affects brain growth for the breastfeeding child (NIDA, 2019). As expressed, marijuana consumption during pregnancy results in baby growth complications both in the womb and after birth.
Another dangerous aspect of marijuana consumption is addiction. Folks using marijuana might develop marijuana disorder where they cannot quit marijuana usage despite the...