Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Question 2


As I'm sure you all know, question 2 passed on the Massachusetts voting ballot this year. This new law decriminalizes marijuana. Although it does not make the drug legal, the punishments for it are mush less harsh. I'm sure this new law encourages some people to use marijuana even more. But a lot of us are forgetting that there are health risks involved, as there are with any drug. Marijuana is very high in carcinogens, or cancer causing agents. Its moke contains many of the same, and somtimes more, of the dangerous, cancer-causing chemicals that are found in tobacco smoke. It can also lead to breathing problems, very similar to the problems cigarette smokers have. This includes coughing and weezing. Marijuana smokers are more prone to chest colds and have a much higher risk of pneumonia and other chest infections. It also negatively affects the immune system. It has been proven to impair the ability of T-cells in the lungs' immune system which fight off infections. Heavy or daily use of marijuana affects the brain. It may damage the parts that control memory, learning, and attention.

In addition, Marijuana impairs your ablility to drive a car. It affects your alertness, concentration, and coordination. It decreases reaction time and can make it difficult to judge distances. Studies have shown that people using marijuana have the same lack of coordination as people who are drunk when given the standard drunk driving test. So think twice before you use this drug, especially if you are going to drive. It is more harmful than you may have thought.

3 comments:

Josh Lamb said...

To me the passing of question two is going to turn out worse then anyone thought it would. Now with it being a lesser punishment, a bunch of these pot smokers are going to not be as afraid of being caught. Instead of it be a punishable crime it is just going to be a slap on the wrist. And I don’t think nearly enough people know that it is as bad as you explained it to be, especially the damage it does on the brain and reaction time. Now not only do people have to be careful of drunk drivers, everyone now has to be aware of pot smoker drivers. Car accidents will raise a great amount due to this and just like drunk driving there is even going to be deaths due to this.

Ian Hunter said...

I disagree, personally i dont smoke myself but i feel that by having question two passed isn't going to make a non smoker become smokers or smokers smoke more. I do feel that the punishment for smoking weed was far to harsh before and now is much more reasonable. If you think about it many of us drink, we are using a drug that impares us and yet we are free to do this whenever we want and at bars. neither is good for you and i know that but is weed really that much worse? I dont think so.

Unknown said...

horseshit!
obviously huffing tar is bad for your lungs, but your
missing the point.