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About Itza

Born and raised in Edinburg, TX Social Worker in the making
by | July 16, 2015 · 1:18 AM

Adolescent and Marijuana

Marcus, Ruth. “Ruth Marcus: The perils of legalized pot” washingtonpost.com. The Washington Post, 02 Jan. 2014, Web. 15 Jul. 2015.

Ruth Marcus is an American journalist and editorial writer for The Post, specializing in American politics and domestic policy. She studied at Yale University where she wrote for the college newspaper. Later she wrote for the National Law Journal,before attending Harvard Law School. Marcus uses this article to not argue about how marijuana is the worst legal substance but her main concern about teenagers obtaining marijuana. She discusses how easily it is for teenagers to gain illegal substance disorders.

Marcus starts by addressing other basic reasons about why it is not a good idea to legalize marijuana but does not go into detail. She uses a conclusion of the American Medical Association about how cannabis is commonly involved in drugged driving with drivers being under the age 21. Marcus states, “…our kids will not be better off with another legal mind-altering substance.”  In other words, Marcus believes that legal marijuana should not be something teenagers have their hands on.

According to Marcus, a 2012 study of more than 1,000 New Zealanders from birth to age 38 found that cannabis use was associated with neuropsychological decline broadly across domains of functioning.  Proving as she herself writes that,” the decrease in IQ was linked only to those with adolescent marijuana use, not those who started in adulthood.”  She then reflects on how even though those who “started as teens, stopping didn’t fully restore functioning.” Particularly aiming for the effects of marijuana on an adolescent brain.

As a mother herself, Marcus claims “minors will use it.” Referring the legalization of marijuana would be “more widely available” for the youth.  Her bias is clear when she mentions about a majority of Americans supporting legalization the previous year and disagrees when she writes, “If this doesn’t make you nervous, you are smoking something. Maybe even legally.”

This article gives an input of teenagers which was interesting because marijuana is mostly used in that age group. It is contended that the danger of legalized marijuana will greatly effect the adolescent in a negative way. This controversy will remain ” a trend that reveals itself in the course of the year obvious and inexorable.”

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by | July 14, 2015 · 9:54 PM

You Choose Your Choice

Hola! My name is Itzayana Ramos and I am from Edinburg, TX.  Honestly, I have no experience with the use of marijuana and I’m not really heartfelt about the legalization of it. Though recently I was informed that my older sister tried it during her freshman year in college (She’s an aggie…..ewww). At first when I  learned about this I was in shock and thought she had just done it to be cool, ya know? But then I started to think. Yes, she is my sister. I care for her well-being and all but I am not responsible for the choices she makes in life because it is not mine. People are not forced to do marijuana, they choose to do it.

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Literally the exact words I would hear in school, at home, on TV and pretty much anywhere I would be reminded about the dangers of drugs and marijuana. My mind was set on not smoking marijuana because it would ruin my life. I even remember in middle school when I took a health class and they showed us the consequences we would have to face if we chose the wrong path of marijuana.

IMG_0811[1]That’s what we are taught, the rights and the wrongs in life. What if some people were born in a situation where marijuana was used daily in their presence? Wouldn’t they be used to that environment and believe marijuana isn’t all that bad as the outside world says? Or would they feel like they have to do marijuana because of this? No, this is not an excuse because you have a choice just like everyone else. So if you decide to do it then it was your choice and no one else’s.

Talks regarding the decriminalization of marijuana have been around for many years but recently the question has arisen again: Should marijuana be legalized? The reality of this question is that it will remain a disputable question. Everyone has their own beliefs the legalization of marijuana. According to Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States of America, “…smoking even one marijuana cigarette is equal in brain damage to being on Bikini Island during an H-bomb blast.” Basically, Reagan is warning that marijuana can kill you. On the other hand,  Bill Hicks, an American comedian and social critic says otherwise “They lie about marijuana. Tell you pot-smoking makes you unmotivated. Lie! when you’re high, you can do everything you normally do just as well…” So it all really depends on each individuals perspective of what is the right option for them. You choose your choice.

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