References.

Bibliography

Cannabis Effects. (2012, 01 25).
Retrieved 05 14, 2012, from Drug Info:
http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/drug-facts/cannabis?gclid=CMvj0sXkgbACFURypAodYBMJFg

How Marijuana Works. (n.d.). Retrieved 05 13, 2012, from howstuffworks:
http://science.howstuffworks.com/marijuana3.htm

Medical Marijuana. (2009, 05 28). Retrieved 05 14, 2012, from procon.org: http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=000228

Ministry of Youth Development. (n.d.). Drug use amongst Young New Zealanders.
Retrieved 05 15, 2012, from Ministry of Youth Development:
 http://www.myd.govt.nz/policy-and-research/drug-use.html

NORML. (2011, 04 29). Gov't Stats Reveal Demographics of Adult Marijuana Users .
Retrieved 05 13, 2012, from OPPOSINGVIEWS:
 http://www.opposingviews.com/i/gov-t-stats-reveal-demographics-of-adult-marijuana-users

T, B. (2011, 03 05). The Health Effects of Marijuana.
Retrieved 04 14, 2012, from about.com:
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Conclusion

In conclusion, legalizing Marijuana would have a huge negative impact on not only our peoples individual health, but also our nation as a whole.The effects and points I have argued through my blog should be reason enough to persuade any person who has their best interests at heart. Marijuana from personal experience is fun, but I have experienced the negative effects - So I believe that my opinion on this subject is valid. A fragile and still growing economy as such as ours needs the support of an able motivated work force to push our nation into the forefront of the world. We are known for our ingenuity and nack for creativity, legalising Marijuana would be nothing less than an insult to our nation.

Costs and Dangers of Marijuana abuse. (if legalised)

The hidden costs and dangers of Marijuana use are always overlooked. Dangers such as;

•  Insurance costs would surely go up as Marijuana is as bad or arguably worse than tobacco to peoples health.
• Health costs of treating addicts and Marijuana abusers would soar. 
• The number of users would greatly increase, consequently increasing the number of abusers. 
• In a nation where the majority of youths are known to struggle against drug use (Ministry of Youth Development) and peer pressure legalising marijuana would only further hinder the youth.
• Marijuana breeds lazy and unmotivated people, the drug slows the mind and creates illusions of euphoria. New Zealand is still growing as an economy and a nation, where a large percentage of the population already are active marijuana users. Legalising this would only obstruct our nations fragile economy.
• Marijuana abuse has a great effect on fertility, our nation has a population of 4,414,400 (2011) to grow as  nation we no doubt need a larger population to fuel our ever growing economy.
• New Zealand already has a reputation of having "laid back" people and a "she'll be right" attitude. Marijuana legalization would truly confirm this reputation.

Effects of Marijuana on Society (if legalised)

Over the last 40 years, the legal status of marijuana has been an endless debate. Many have argued policies that would permit individual possession of small amounts of marijuana, their main argument being that it is a safe drug and that "criminal sanctions against personal use and possession represent at worst excessively harsh and at best unnecessary penalties". Although many of this is true and in my opinion marijuana is not a bad drug, many do not notice the long term effects it can have on society.If legalized people will smoke marijuana openly and no doubt statistics of users will increase greatly. Marijuana breeds a society of lazy people, after smoking the drug for the next few hours your mind is greatly impaired and the cannabinoid stays in your system for days, creating slight feelings of haziness and affects the hippocampus (How Marijuana Works) in your brain. This effects the transition of short term memory into long term.

Marijuana is currently the leading cause of substance dependence other than alcohol in the U.S. In 2008, marijuana use accounted for 4.2 million of the 7 million people aged 12 or older classified with dependence on or abuse of an illicit drug. This means that about two thirds of Americans suffering from any substance use are suffering from marijuana abuse or marijuana dependence.

If the U.S. were to legalize marijuana, the number of users would surely increase. Today there are 15 million current marijuana users compared to 129 million alcohol users and 70.9 million tobacco users. Though the number of marijuana users might not quickly climb to the current numbers for alcohol and tobacco, if marijuana was legalized, the increase in users would be rapid with subsequent increases in addiction.

Legalized gambling has not reduced illegal gambling in the United States; rather, it has increased it. This is particularly evident in sports gambling, most of which is illegal. Legal gambling is taxed and regulated and illegal gambling is not. Legal gambling sets the stage for illegal gambling just the way legal marijuana would set the stage for illegal marijuana trafficking.

There are not as many statistics for New Zealand marijuana use but our statistics would no doubt reflect those of America, just on a smaller scale. Legalizing marijuana would have the same effects here as it would in the U.S. however New Zealand has still a fragile and small economy, legalizing marijuana would only hinder our growth as a nation.

Effects of Marijuana on the Body

There is an endless debate about whether Marijuana use is beneficial or detrimental ones health.

To discuss this topic we must start from the base; Why do people smoke Marijuana?

The the majority of pot smokers are recreational users, the Friday night and lazy Sunday afternoon stoners. This demographic (NORML, 2011) In my opinion isnt a harm to society or themselves, but drug use turns into drug abuse.
Many users start by smoking casually as a social activity, then become used to the feeling and almost rely on it. This changes the casually tokers into regular smokers. I know from experience how easy it is to "blaze" everyday, however users will slowly feel the effects (T, 2011) of marijuana use.

Many users also suffer from depression (Medical Marijuana, 2009) after regular use of the marijuana. The feeling of euphoria (Cannabis Effects, 2012) that marijuana use gives you is the main factor in building addiction to the drug, this is similar with all drug effects.  Users begin to crave the feelings of euphoria while being sober, soon reality isn't enough to satisfy many users that become reliant on marijuana - Thus bridging the gap from casual smokers, to addicted tokers.

Many argue that marijuana use can counter depression through the effects of euphoria, but as the feelings of euphoria only are existent whilst under the influence of marijuana the user will need to be constantly under the influence of weed to avoid depression. Thus creating a dependency on the drug and consequently an addiction.

Marijuana - Good or Bad?

Introduction

Weed, Cannabis, Pot, Kronic, Bud, Mary Jane, Ganja, Sticky Icky, Dak, Dope, Dro, Hash, Skunk.. the list is infinite. This blog will and argue; the negative effects of marijuana on society and the human body also the disadvantages and dangers of marijuana use. I will include factual information about marijuana use as well as reviews by users. Personally I believe that although marijuana use is so wide spread and almost as common as owning an ipod the drug should remain illegal.