Pubdate: Wed, 09 Apr 2014
Source: Herald News, The (Fall River, MA)
Copyright: 2014 Ashley Farias
Contact:  http://www.heraldnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3604
Author: Ashley Farias

SINCE ALCOHOL IS LEGAL, MARIJUANA SHOULD BE LEGALIZED ...

There's been a huge controversy about the so-called dangers of
marijuana and its legalization. Some states have legalized it, some
have decriminalized it and others have made it entirely illegal to
carry. The problem I see is that marijuana is proven to be a great
stress and pain reliever, used medicinally for cancer patients, and
has no death-related records, but it's not fully legalized in
Massachusetts. However, alcohol is known to cause aggression, it's
toxic to the body, has been responsible for thousands of deaths, yet
its legal and found anywhere in stores and restaurants.

Why aren't these roles switched? I've heard about more fatalities and
problems caused from drinking too much alcohol than I have about
marijuana. Everyone claims that marijuana is the gateway drug, but is
it really? Society believes that young people get addicted to pot and
end up wanting more/other drugs, but that's not what happens. There
are many recreational and medicinal marijuana users among us who have
used the substance for many years and haven't touched anything other
than the plant itself. In comparison, alcohol is far more addictive
than marijuana is.

How about the after-effects? The long-term use? Well, let me inform
you that marijuana has been known to treat and/or alleviate painful
symptoms of cancer patients. Alcohol does not.

In fact, alcohol use has been linked to cancer. Alcohol use damages
brain cells. Studies show that marijuana usage has the ability to
protect brain cells.

Also, when people take in excessive amounts of alcohol, they become
drunk. When you are drunk you will tend to make risky decisions, cause
arguments and act violently or aggressive.

On the other hand, smoking (or consuming) excessive amounts of
marijuana will lead you to become high. When you are high, you will
tend to feel very laid-back, giddy or very hungry. This, in many
cases, is great for cancer patients who suffer from nausea or loss of
appetite. I'm not even close to kidding about the facts I've just
given you. Do the research and educate yourselves on controversies
like this before jumping to negative or biased conclusions.

I'm not saying alcohol is a terrible thing. A glass of red wine a day
is good for the heart. Some people find it a fun way to wind down with
friends on a Saturday night.

However, I believe that in comparison to one another, marijuana is
much more beneficial and should be legalized since something as
dangerous as alcohol is.

Ashley Farias

Fall River  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D