Effects of marijuana Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Effects of marijuana - Research Paper Example Thus, the paper looks at these effects as they occur on the individuals and society as a whole. Marijuana, popularly known as pot, weed or cannabis, Mary Jane, Indian hemp, pot, grass, herb, dope, and ganja ranks third in the most popularly recreational drug in America. It is ranked after alcohol and tobacco respectively. It is, however, the most used of the illegal drugs in America. Cannabis sativa, from whose dried leaves marijuana is made, grows naturally in many humid and tropical parts of the world. Interestingly, its use as a mind-altering drug has also been tied to the pre-historic societies in Africa and Euro-Asia by archeological evidence. In recent times, marijuana usage statistics has been seen to escalate (Mehling 8-11). Nevertheless, as popular as it is, there are several effects of marijuana such as health and social effects. What are these health and social effects? The paper will examine these effects to answer this question. According to the United States government surveys, more than 25 million Americans have smoked marijuana during the past year. Over 14 million doing so regularly in spite of the harsh laws against its use. According to Hanson et al., (403), 10.1 out of 18.1 million illicit drug users in the United States used only marijuana in the past month making a significant 64.3 percent. In 2011, 38% of 8th graders, 82 % of the 12th graders and 68 % of the 10th graders reported marijuana as among the drugs that are fairly easy or very easy to get. It shows how highly accessible marijuana is (Maisto, Galizio and Connors 24-26). Perhaps, this is fueled by the fact that, while it grows wildly in some states, thus, is easily accessible to the populace, in some states it ranks among the largest cash-generating crops. California produces an estimated 40% of the marijuana consumed in the United States and generates nearly $18.8 billion in revenue. Marijuana is traditionally smoked in hand-rolled joints, in pipes,