Do marijuana defenders really know how healthy it is?

This one after people in my Leadership class. I swear people can be so ignorant -.-


Not long ago, my Leadership class had a little discussion about marijuana. One individual said "_weed cures cancer_," another said "_you cannot become addicted to weed_" and a few other absurd defenses. This lead me to wonder if people actually know about marijuana and how "healthy" is really is.

First, marijuana does not cure cancer, it gives people cancer just like cigarettes. Marijuana is known to help the pain associated with cancer but smoking anything can give you cancer, especially marijuana because you're putting smoke into your lungs, holding it for as long as possible, letting it get into the lung tissue and destroy it before finally exhaling. It also can cause oral cancers like cigarettes.

Marijuana is a drug and you can become addicted just like any other drug. People believe because marijuana doesn't have addictive chemicals such as nicotine that you cannot become addicted but it's not the marijuana, it's the person. They develop a dependence on the drug so they need more and more to support their habit no matter who they hurt.

It is also possibly linked to childhood problems if a pregnant mother smokes marijuana such as: problems with decision making, memory and the ability to remain attentive. It is unsure if these problems will persist through adulthood but it is possible that more problems will occur while the brain develops.

Although I am not a marijuana defender I do believe it should be decriminalized and treated like alcohol; do it at home or special bars and don't drive while under the influence. I doubt this will ever be the case unless a pro-weed party gets into government but I doubt that will even happen.

Your thoughts? Arguments? Feel free to write a comment on your opinion on weed and the effects and legal status.