Pubdate: Sun, 29 Apr 2012
Source: Arizona Daily Wildcat (AZ Edu)
Copyright: 2012 Arizona Daily Wildcat
Contact:  http://wildcat.arizona.edu/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/725
Author: Danielle Carpenter

RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA SMOKING UNIMPORTANT, SHOULD REMAIN ILLEGAL

Pushing for the legalization of recreational marijuana is a waste of time.

The Tucson Chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of 
Marijuana Laws held its annual protest on April 20. About 50 
protesters made their way to Cheba Hut for the seventh annual 
protest, where they held up signs to flash at traffic about 
legalizing marijuana. It's sad how badly those people want 
recreational marijuana legalized. Medical marijuana helps people, but 
recreational marijuana can be dangerous.

Marijuana is the most common illegal drug found in "impaired drivers 
and crash victims involved in 'drugged driving' accidents," according 
to the Alcohol Drug Abuse Help & Resource Center website. The drug 
interferes with the cerebellum, which is the part of the brain that 
controls coordination, according to the center's website. Legalizing 
this drug will do nothing more then increase the number of DUIs and 
fatal car accidents, as if Arizona needs higher numbers in that department.

A lot of people assume that marijuana does nothing bad for them. But 
the THC in marijuana -- the reason for its effects -- can interfere 
with the hippocampus, according to the center's website. The 
hippocampus is one of the most important parts of the brain, as it 
controls memory, judgment and learning.

In chronic users, the impact on memory and learning can last days or 
weeks after marijuana's effects seem to fade, according to a 2001 
study in the medical journal Archives of General Psychiatry.

Studies have shown that frequent use of the drug can actually lead to 
more anxiety and higher rates of mental illness like depression.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse, a division of the National 
Institutes of Health, notes that schizophrenia in particular seems to 
have a link to marijuana use, as a 2007 study found. This may be due 
to the fact that frequent use of marijuana case can cause a dire 
psychotic reaction in susceptible people, according to the NIDA, 
making it a possible factor in the onset or relapse of schizophrenia.

A 2006 survey by the Society for Human Resource Management found that 
84 percent of employers drug test new hires, and 39 percent will 
randomly test employees after they are hired. (Usually, those who 
meet the criteria for being able to have medical marijuana are excused.)

Most employers want mature, intelligent and dedicated employees who 
do not abuse drugs. Some employers, such as hospitals, are even 
starting to look at whether or not their applicants smoke cigarettes, 
not just marijuana or other controlled substances.

Smoking, marijuana or cigarettes, does not make one more appealing in 
any way, shape or form to a handful of careers or to other people. 
It's time for people to grow up, and figure out how to live life 
without depending on marijuana.

If even California of all states would not pass a bill legalizing 
weed for those 21 and older, it's clear that protesting Arizonans are 
fighting a hopeless cause. Arizonans should spend their time more 
wisely than trying to get something as pointless as recreational pot to happen.

The outcomes of keeping recreational marijuana use illegal will save 
Arizona from the increase of drug-related fatal car accidents, and 
protect the mental health of residents. Smoking weed recreationally 
should remain against the law.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart