The Effects of Marijuana on the Brain

There are many drugs, legal and illegal, that are used on a daily basis all over the world. Currently, drugs remain high on the lists of concerns of Americans and are considered one of the major problems facing our country today. We see stories on the news about people being killed on the street every day over drugs. To many people drugs are only an inner-city problem, but in reality they affect all of us – users and non-users. I believe that the negative affects we associate with drugs would be greatly reduced if the United States adopted a policy towards the total decriminalization of marijuana. The current drug policy of our government is obviously failing. Drug laws have created corruption, violence, increased street crime, and disrespect for the criminal justice system. Current drug legislation has failed to reduce demand. It’s just too hard to monitor illegal substances when a significant portion of the population is committed to using drugs, especially when all of these drugs affect the brain, just in different ways. The most commonly used illegal drug is the drug known as marijuana or cannabis.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main, active ingredient in marijuana, temporarily alters brain functioning that affects sensory perception, reflexes, and coordination. If a drug interferes with its production and causes too much to be produced the result is extremely pleasurable and can lead to severe abuse and addiction. The average marijuana plant contains over 400 chemicals and when the plant is smoked or vaporized the heat produces many more chemicals. However, it is said that marijuana is an illegal drug that has many beneficial uses. The marijuana experience itself does not miraculously cure. Instead, it allows the body a breathing space from the tensions of imbalance, while exposing the mental confusion of the mind. The marijuana experience of balance becomes a learned and, over time, somewhat permanent response as the essential human tendency to homeostasis...