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Impact of Marijuana

Addiction: Marijuana dependance is not chemical, and withdrawal symptoms are considered very mild compared to narcotics. Still, over 150,000 Americans will enter rehabilitation programs this year, in an effort to break from their reliance upon marijuana. Because marijuana is the first, and most frequently used, illicit drug tried by young people, it is not rare for this dependance to begin in high school, or even middle school. As one of the premier “Gateway Drugs”, marijuana also holds the distinction of graduating most of the worlds future drug addicts. Very few people ever try cocaine or heroine without first gaining confidence, connections and social comfort by way of their marijuana use. A study funded by the (N.I.D.A.) found that those who use marijuana are 104 times more likely to try cocaine than are those who never try marijuana.

Personal Loss: According to the F.B.I.’s Uniform Crime Report, over 872,000 marijuana offenses resulted in arrest in 2007. In 2008, 22,486 patients entered American emergency rooms with an injury or ailment associated with marijuana use (D.A.W.N.). Indirect personal losses include the degradation of school, sport and employment performance, a common side-effect of drug use in general. Additional personal losses have been inferred, but require additional research. In 2008, for example, 11,955 persons attempted suicide after having ingested marijuana, a raw statistic which has not been explored further (D.A.W.N.). Though national crash data is not available, studies have shown marijuana users to be twice as likely to be involved in fatal car crashes, and more than three times as likely to be responsible for a fatal crash (french).

Cancer: Over 400,000 Americans will lose their lives this year due to tobacco related illnesses. Just like tobacco, marijuana contains several notorious carcinogens. It contains and delivers them at higher potency levels than tobacco products, however. Smoking one marijuana joint deposits approximately four times as much tar as does a filtered tobacco cigarette. A person who smokes five joints a week inhales the same harmful chemicals as a “pack-a-day” cigarette smoker.

Crime & Victimization: Crime is inextricably linked to marijuana. According to the U.S.D.O.J., the D.E.A. seized over 5,000 weapons associated with marijuana offenses in 2008. Heavy users often support their habit by way of property crime. The transportation and distribution of marijuana involves individuals who rely upon corruption and violence to achieve their goals. Gangs and independant criminals use marijuana sales as means of funding their illicit activities. Struggles over territories and unpaid debts often spill over to affect innocent parties. A recent rash of drug related kidnappings in the western United States has also been attributed to this type of crime.

Marijuana Tutorial: Page 2 of 22