Pubdate: Fri, 06 Mar 2015
Source: Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, SD)
Copyright: 2015 Argus Leader
Contact:  http://www.argusleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/842
Author: Meshal Alrashed

PROS AND CONS OF ALCOHOL VS. MARIJUANA

Marijuana is an illegal substance in U.S., used by college students 
to get "high." It has become a recent debate over whether it is right 
to legalize marijuana or to keep it as an illegal substance. There 
are several articles that say smoking marijuana is healthier for our 
body compared to drinking alcohol.

As an international student, I think that smoking weed is safer than 
drinking alcohol. My research found that 70 percent of the accidents 
recorded in the U.S. were because of driving and driving. On the 
other hand, smoking weed is less dangerous. I found out that from 
1999 to 2010, just 12 percent of the accidents recorded in the U.S. 
were because of driving high. For example: Marijuana and alcohol are 
used in social activities to have fun. Marijuana and alcohol share 
some health effects. Both marijuana and alcohol affect the cognitive 
abilities of the brain during use and affect the brain and motor 
skills of the user. Marijuana has long-term effects when compared to 
alcohol. When consumed in a large amount, alcohol will destroy 
irreplaceable cells in the brain. Also, drinking too much can make 
the user violent, pass-out and unable to remember what has happened. 
The next day they will feel sick and will get a headache. Smoking a 
lot of marijuana will never make someone violent. Marijuana will help 
you to relieve pain if you have cancer, and the doctors can recommend 
it to the patient to smoke medical marijuana. It is impossible for 
you to find a doctor that will recommend alcohol to their patient.

Finally, how can a society allow the consuming of alcohol, which 
kills thousands every year in traffic fatalities and causes 
addictions and medical problems. Today, people all around the U.S. 
are against legalizing marijuana because they say it is a dangerous 
drug. As a reader, what do you think will be more harmful, smoking 
marijuana or drinking alcohol?

Meshal Alrashed, Aberdeen
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