It is discussed that since there is so little evidence that shows that marijuana is dangerous that it is safe. According to Marty Nemko’s article ‘Legalize Pot? You Must Be High’, the intensive research that has been done to find out the harms that derive from the drug “may cause far greater damage than once thought” (Nemko 1). Studies have been conducted and found that marijuana can result in dependence in 9-10% of users. While this figure is low, and the validity can be questioned, it is still a potential harm. It may be the basis for something worse that scientists have not yet discovered. Other research suggests that marijuana negatively affects the ability too learn and remember new information, and can lead to “significant abnormalities in two key brain regions” (Nemko 1). Furthermore, users of marijuana can experience severe anxiety, panic, or distressful thoughts like nightmares. Nemko stresses the change in the world that …show more content…
The U.S. National Institutes OD Health found no lung function problem as a result of long time marijuana use in many studies. However this finding has an additional note: “as long as the use was not truly excessive or combined with other substances”. And here lies a big problem. While it is found that marijuana may not have fatally dangerous effects on users, it is known as a “gateway drug” because it opens doors to other potentially dangerous substances. While marijuana alone may not be dangerous all the time, combining it with tobacco smoking can have harmful effects on the lungs. Other combinations will have varying effects, and some can be fatal. One of the reasons it is so challenging to study marijuana’s effects is that the effects can vary so widely depending on the user and the condition in which it is being used. Because of the unknown factors and the riskiness playing a role in the use of marijuana, it should not be