Today, many debates about the idea of smoking marijuana (cannabis) are raised to identify its positive and negative aspects. According to the investigations offered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, approximately 24 million Americans aged 12 and older use marijuana regularly, and the increase is still observed. Globally, more than 11% of the European population (aged 15-34 years), 2.5% of Brazilians, and about 13% of South African students have the same habit (World Health Organization 10). Despite multiple preventive campaigns and recommendations, people do not find it necessary to quit using marijuana. This paper aims at discussing such negative outcomes of smoking marijuana like addiction, intellectual functioning, and productivity decrease to prove the necessity to pay attention to this social and health issue.
One of the first evident cons of smoking marijuana is addictive. Both men and women are eager to try marijuana just to experience something new, solve their problems, or follow the recommendations of other people. Although the use of this substance is illegal in the United States and many other countries, addicted people cannot control their behaviors and decision-making. There are many studies about why cannabis is one of the most addictive substances in the world, and Zehra et al., for example, explain addiction as the result of impaired memory and IQ deficit (449). In addition, marijuana addiction may result in an increased risk of using other illicit drugs and additional health problems. Cannabis dependence is a serious social and public health concern, and its solution bothers millions of people.
Another important disadvantage of smoking marijuana includes its impact on intellectual functioning. Evident deteriorations in cognition and coordination are observed in the population addicted to marijuana. People suffer from poor attention, lack of concentration, slow reaction time, and memory loss (World Health Organization 19). Zehra et al. proved the development of neurobiological changes and brain problems due to the acute and long-term effects of smoking marijuana and neuroinflammation (450). Brain development certain brain structures are challenged, and the prediction of further processes turns out to be impossible. People who believe that they improve their present by choosing marijuana cannot understand that they put their future in danger.
Finally, in addition to certain psychological and physiological changes, it is necessary to mention that smoking marijuana also has social outcomes, including productivity decrease. The topic of cannabis in the workplace has been poorly investigated at this period of time (World Health Organization 22). Still, it may be proposed that marijuana-addicted people can hardly recognize their dependence on this substance, as well as the fact that their productivity is decreased. However, organizational reports and personal observations may help to recognize this problem and raise existing concerns. For example, many employers do not trust and do not want to hire people who are cannabis-addicted. Employee relationships and communication are not stable, which results in productivity loss.
In fact, the list of disadvantages of smoking marijuana is long, and it is important to pay attention to each of the above-mentioned aspects. Cannabis is a well-known substance, but its fame should serve as the reason for trying it. Further research, open meetings, communication, and the participation of healthcare experts are required to continue proving the threats of marijuana to protect future generations and avoid such outcomes like additional, intellectual dysfunction, and poor productivity.
Works Cited
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.” SAMHSA, 2017, Web.
World Health Organization. The Health and Social Effects of Nonmedical Cannabis Use. 2016, Web.
Zehra, Amna, et al. “Cannabis Addiction and the Brain: A Review.” Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, vol. 13, no. 4, 2018, pp. 438-452.