Made from parts of the cannabis plant, it’s a naturally occurring drug. It is a mild sedative which can often cause a chilled out feeling or actual sleepiness and it’s also a mild hallucinogen which means that you may experience a state where you see objects and reality in a distorted way and may even hallucinate. The main active compound in cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
There are many risks to your health involved with the use of cannabis. The most damaging effect is the fact that it can raise your blood pressure and heart rate so for anybody with a heart problem it could result in death. More commonly there is a strong link between cannabis use and mental health issues such as schizophrenia, paranoia and severe anxiety. Frequent use of cannabis can cut a man’s sperm count and suppress ovulation in women. If you are pregnant smoking cannabis may harm your unborn baby. It is possible babies may be lower in birth weight and have developmental problems.
In contrast cannabis can actually be prescribed in extreme cases by your GP for its pain relieving properties. Many people see these benefits out way the negatives associated with the drug including doctors. A recent survey reveals that 90% of doctors in California secretly advise patients with illnesses such as glaucoma and asthma to smoke cannabis to relieve the symptoms. It is their belief that cannabis is two to three times more effective than any legal drug with less toxic side affects.
The government of Great Britain reclassified cannabis from a Class B to Class C drug on 29th January 2004. Reclassification means that they are acknowledging the fact that cannabis is not as harmful as other Class B drugs. People are constantly campaigning for the legalisation of cannabis and this motion by the government is an indication that not only medical advice is taken notice into consideration but also that of public opinion. Modern society is such a pressurised way of life that some people find more ways to relax and chill out so the instead of turning to alcohol they turn to less addictive and in some ways less harmful cannabis. There are some European countries such as Holland where cannabis is perfectly legal and readily available to the general public. In other countries such as Ethiopia it is part of the religion of Rastafarianism to smoke cannabis and is therefore also accepted as a norm within their daily lives.
The argument against the legalisation of cannabis is it may be psychologically addictive. Heavy users can display aggressive impulses if their supply suddenly stops. Cannabis can affect your co-ordination so your driving skills will be impaired increasing the risk of accidents, so you are not only a danger to yourself but also people around you. Cannabis can be a “gateway” drug to more harmful drugs such as heroin and cocaine. Also cannabis has higher tar content than tobacco so the same health problems are heightened such as bronchitis, lung cancer and emphysema. Cannabis also can disrupt the control of blood pressure increasing the risk of fainting.
On the other hand it can be argued that cannabis is less addictive than tobacco or alcohol and it also does less harm to the body. A government report found that high use of cannabis isn’t associated with major health problems or sociological problems, unlike other harder drugs. Some reports claim that cannabis has an effect on the heart similar to those of exercise, so it may be just as good for you as going to the gym.
In conclusion, after studying many sources of information arguing for and against the legalisation of cannabis, I feel that cannabis should remain an illegal drug as it affects the mind and body in quite serious ways even if it is only used in moderation. The facts and figures prove that the use of cannabis can increase the risk of occurrence of certain illnesses such as lung cancer and schizophrenia. Also there is the cost issue of smoking cannabis, depending on the amount used cannabis can cost a lot of money and for those prone to an addictive nature can get them into financial trouble such as debts with a dealer. The more you use the more you need to get the same and desired effect.
