A drug used since ancient times, marijuana started out as a
substance used for Chinese medicine. By 500 A.D. it reached places like Africa
and India and eventually made its way into the United States in the early late
1500s or early 1600s. Marijuana is considered a crop; grown with tobacco and
used as a source of fiber. Soon cotton took over in the US as the crop of
choice but medicinal marijuana stuck around for some time and was used for
things like nausea, conditions like rheumatism and labor pains.
Around 1920 the drug started to become a substance that was
widely abused. Songs were written about it and it even showed up in clubs and
was common with musicians. At first the
drug was not considered to be a major problem.
By 1930 marijuana addiction started to become more and more
of a problem was labeled a gateway drug and many who used it were considered
“hippies” or “rebels.” In 1970 the drug
was made illegal and was classified as a Schedule I substance.
Through the years smoking marijuana has become problem for
many being the number one most abused drug in history and the substances that
sends the highest numbers of people to rehab programs every year. And over the
last few years, despite this fact, and the fact that the THC levels in the drug
have only grown stronger, guidelines as far as legal use of the drug have
become more and more lax.
This started with the medical marijuana legalization in some
states where one could purchase the drug through dispensaries. And even though
the dispensaries became more and more dangerous, and a source or crime [even
causing ones in Los Angeles to close down] some states continued to approve of
its use.
This culminated when just recently some states legalized the
drug for recreational use even with reports on the effects of marijuana on the
brain as well as the fact that 9% of people who try the drug get hooked and 25
million are currently addicted
The Effects Of
Smoking On The Body
Anyone who has read the latest government reports on smoking
marijuana can see that the drug is not only addictive but dangerous. Mental effects
of smoking marijuana include lowered IQ, suppressed potential, depression,
anxiety and mood swings.
But Narconon reviews on the effects of smoking on the body
[through government studies] indicate much more. According to the latest information
from NIDA [the National Institute on Drug Abuse] marijuana use, especially when
used early in life can cause permanent physical damage. Some of the effects of
this include:
- An elevated risk of certain cancers, especially those of the lung and throat.
- A weakened immune system that gives one an inability to fight off disease.
- Burning and stinging of the mouth and throat
- Heavy and chronic coughing.
- Rapid Blood Pressure (or high blood pressure).
- Increased heart rate.
While these are just a few of the problems caused by the
drug, studies show that the younger a person uses marijuana and the amount of
the drug used can only complicate and make these issues worse. And the most
damaging fact about this is that many don’t know just how dangerous and addictive
smoking marijuana actually is.
If you are a parent, know the facts on this drug. Educate
your kids. Help those addicted to marijuana and spread a positive message about
abstinence from drugs.
Sources:
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