The Different Harmful Effects of Smoking Marijuana

Marijuana use negatively affects academic performance and personal achievement. Studies conducted on schools show that one of the reasons why students drop out of school is marijuana addiction (Kalivas & Volkow 5). About 6.5% of student included in the study admitted to taking marijuana every day (Kalivas & Volkow 5). One of the effects of marijuana use is impairment of cognitive functions which can happen shortly after consumption or days after that. That means that some students function at a lower cognitive level than their actual ability when the effects of marijuana have not have worn off (Kalivas & Volkow 5). For daily consumers of marijuana, this makes up a significant period. The severe effects usually wear off after some time.

However, it is still not advisable to take marijuana because frequent use may lead to long-term cognitive problems especially for those who started using it as teenagers (Kalivas & Volkow 5). When a student is not in a situation to learn, even if it is temporarily, it eventually affects their grades and may prevent them from achieving the goals they wanted. Marijuana consumption is closely related to poor grades. Some studies suggest that one cannot reverse the long-term cognitive impairment effects of marijuana even when they stop using it (Kalivas & Volkow 5). These effects can only become subtle. The fact that marijuana use affects brain interferes with memory and attention may contribute to the poor academic grades. When marijuana use and addiction continues, one may have lower or no source of income, lower socioeconomic status, criminal acts and becoming unsatisfied with life (Kalivas & Volkow 5).

It is understandable why marijuana consumption is a controversial topic. Some people believe in in the fact that it is helpful and they may do with good reason especially if they are taking it for medicinal purposes. For example, cancer patients know how vital marijuana is because it relieves them of the severe pain they experience. HIV patients may also support its consumption because it helps them regain their appetite. However, the fact that marijuana has some adverse effects cannot be ignored. A society with frequent marijuana users is a society that is prone to high accident rates, low academic performance, people living unsatisfied lives, premature deaths caused by hallucinations or psychotic episodes or road accidents and possibly high cancer cases. The disadvantages of marijuana use and addiction far outweigh its benefits. Marijuana should only be used by patients when prescribed by doctors but not for recreational purposes because it is harmful to individuals and the society as a whole.