Health Impact of Legalized Marijuana in California

According to the Los Angeles Times, the California legislation will vote on November, 2011 for the legalization and sale of marijuana. The vote, if passed, will allow persons 21-years of age or older to legally purchase and possess up to one ounce of marijuana. Syndicates of the bill claim that the current law, a misdemeanor and fine of up to $100 for possession of one-ounce of marijuana, does not curb use and is taking away valuable potential revenue from the state. The bill would bring in taxes from the taxation of the drug, which would help reduce the alarming budget deficit. However, critics of the bill are worried about the potential health side effects of legalized marijuana use.

Side Effects of Marijuana Smoking

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, marijuana use inhibits nerve cells in the brain, affects self control (similar to that of alcohol use), negatively affects lungs and can be laced with other harder drugs, such as crack, cocaine and PCP. Because marijuana has similar side effects to that of alcohol use in terms of operating machinery or driving, it is touted as not being a safe drug. Marijuana causes impaired judgment, lack of motivation (stimulant) and can make users feel anxious. However, according to the Harvard University, recreational marijuana use provides some benefits with less health risks than that of cigarette smoking.

Safety

Recreational marijuana use has been linked to the damaging of cells in the bronchial passages and can lower the immune system, according to the Harvard University. Although additional research is needed to determine the pros and cons of marijuana use, the Harvard University states that marijuana use is among the safest of recreational drugs. The major health side effects from the same study suggest that smoking of cannabis or marijuana is the leading cause of the negative health related issues. However, under the medical marijuana distribution in California has also spawned recipes with included THC, an active chemical that causes the "high" that marijuana user's experience. The extracting of THC and cooking with the chemical is safer than smoking the substance as the user does not have to inhale harmful smoke. However, it should be noted that not enough tests have been done to determine the safety of moderate THC use in comparison to smoking to the substance.

Unlaced State Sale

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that marijuana sold on the street may contain many harmful drug additives. The additives are included to addict users into harder and more expensive drugs. The legalization and state grown sale of marijuana in California would effectively eliminate laced marijuana sale to the general public, which could be a great outcome for both the users' health and the war on drugs.

What do you think?

If you live in California and are being affected by this new proposal we would love to hear what you think. Would the legalization of marijuana be positive or negative for the state?

*The writer of this article is in no way in support or opposition of this bill and the information presented here is for educational and entertainment purposes only.

Sources:

http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/govpubs/phd641/http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/evidence99/marijuana/Health_1.html