Get Active Subscribe Support Us

TIME FOR STATE TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA

To the Editor:

Marijuana.  It is a very touchy subject, and it is not generally accepted among most people.  It's taboo.  Why is that? It's because it is illegal, so there is a fear placed among the people.  Why is a plant so hated in our society?

I'm writing this to voice my opinion and try to make a change.  I've seen and heard too many people who are on my side say, "They should just legalize pot, man." That is not the answer.  These people just break the law and expect things to change.  That is not how it works.  If you simply rebel and disobey the law, you will not have a voice.  If you abide and peacefully protest, then you may be heard by the people who have the power to make this change.  There is a vast majority of people who want it legalized but do not make a stand and fight for what they believe in reasonably.  I'm going to discuss some vital points, rumors and misconceptions of marijuana.

Marijuana is not as scary as society has made it.  One rumor is that marijuana kills brain cells.  According to mit.edu, marijuana does not kill brain cells.  There was a test done on monkeys where the government pumped the equivalent of 60 marijuana cigarettes into the monkeys' lungs via gas mask over the course of five minutes every day for a month.  Let's reflect on this, shall we? There is consistent smoke being pumped into their lungs and, with that amount of smoke, there is very little oxygen flowing to their brains.  Lack of oxygen will kill brain cells, although the scientists simply put that blame on the marijuana not the primates' lack of oxygen.

Also, according to drugpolicy.org, marijuana can be good for your mental health.  It is an antidepressant that has the effect of chemicals such as dopamine being released into your brain, which causes heightened senses of happiness and pleasure.  Another thing that marijuana may be used to help treat is anorexia.This is an eating disorder.  Smoking marijuana allegedly gives people the "munchies," and that is a good thing for treating the disorder.

Marijuana is a natural painkiller that is not physically addictive, unlike all of these other drugs out there such as Vicodin, Percocet, morphine etc.  There is a natural chemical in marijuana known as CBD, which is a natural painkiller.  Marijuana is not addictive physically, which means you can not form a dependency on the drug in comparison to addictive properties of other drugs such as heroin, cocaine and prescription painkillers.  Mentally you can become addicted to it, just like you can become mentally addicted to even good things, such as exercise.

There are quite a lot of positive effects of marijuana on our bodies and society.  Also, marijuana cannot kill you! You cannot overdose on marijuana.  It is physically impossible.  In order to overdose you must smoke the amount of a telephone pole on one sitting.  It's time for a change, America.

Every voice matters, and can make a difference.  I hope I have persuaded you into perhaps looking further into marijuana.  I'm not accepted for this opinion, but that is something I could care less about.  Nothing anyone can do or say at this point can change my views on the subject, and I shall always fight for what I believe in.  I am who I am.  You say marijuana is bad and should stay illegal? I welcome that opinion and argument.  I say it is good, can have positive effects and should be legal, please accept my opinion.

This is an ongoing fight that is nowhere close to being over.  Twenty states and Washington, D.C., have legalized marijuana for medical use and two have for recreational use.  Let's make Pennsylvania next on the list.  Also, Gov.  Tom Corbett says that he will veto the bill if it makes it to him.  I hope that we can change his mind.

I am 16 years old trying to make a difference.  Join the ongoing fight in marijuana legalization.  Mr.  Corbett, make your decision on what the people want, not what you want.

Isaiah Thompson

Saint Clair