Marijuana And The Efftect

Marijuana and the Effects

Drugs in the world are spreading wide and fast to all ages. But, the most popular drug of choice, marijuana, is forming the world's youth into drug users by the millions. "Marijuana, the common name for products derived from the plant Cannabis sativa, is the most common illicit drug used by children and adolescents in the United States" (Committee 982). There are many reasons why someone would begin smoking marijuana; depression, social problems, death of a loved one and peer pressure. Marijuana has been used by humans dating back to 8000 B.C in Taiwan (Marshall 126). When a person first starts using marijuana they only think of their problems and look for a solution and do not think of the consequences and additional problems of using marijuana. Opponents of marijuana contend that marijuana is carcinogenic, harms the body's respiratory, immune and reproductive systems, affects short-term memory and ability to learn and is a "gateway" to harder narcotics use (Marshall 126) Marijuana is a dangerous drug and can ruin one's organs. "Parent's groups and the government continue to warn kids that marijuana is dangerous." (Marshall 126). From first hand knowledge, using marijuana can lead to trouble legally, financially, socially and in more ways too. It is hard for people who use marijuana to realize how serious the trouble marijuana can cause until something bad happens. Everyone needs a wake-up to get away from a bad habit. If a human being wants to live a full life span, and not be arrested in some form, then he or she will not smoke marijuana. In today's world, a drug free life is hard to come by, especially in this generation. But for those who choose to use marijuana, many changes in one's lifestyle are going to take place, including health, legal problems, financial problems, family, school, job opportunities, housing, and life in general.

The entire world is trying to stop the exportation and importation of controlled substances. The United States is making new laws, providing law enforcement with more power and authority and overall making it hard for drug dealers and users to get what they want. Grown men, women and teenagers get caught with controlled substances or illegal drugs everyday. But marijuana is the drug of choice by most. Since the Narcotics Control Act was added to the North Carolina statutes in 1956 more people are convicted of marijuana charges than ever (Hanson 64). The proof is in the amount of people that go to jail and are in legal trouble because of it. The court system is not handing out a slap on the wrist to everyone who comes through downtown anymore. More people are on probation today than ever, so more people are in legal problems also. In North Carolina when someone is arrested with any type of drug charge, a person can be arrested, processed, jailed, and put on probation for any amount of marijuana. Right after processing, someone's name and fingerprints are in the state's system, and will not come out if sent to jail. Most people, excluding drug dealers, usually can be bailed out and put on probation with many rules and regulations. Marijuana drug charges can come in forms of both misdemeanors and felonies. The separation of a misdemeanor and felony drug charges are decided between the amount of marijuana and intent of action for use. If the amount of marijuana is more than one half of an ounce but less than one and one half ounces the charge is a misdemeanor. If the amount of the marijuana is more than one and one half ounces that charge is a Class I felony (North). Punishments for misdemeanors and felonies have a wide range of seriousness. Misdemeanor marijuana charges can be dropped with the agreement to attend drug education classes, provide urine screens, complete community service hours and pay a certain amount of money. Felony marijuana charges can also be dropped with an agreement to attend drug education classes, provide urine screens, complete community service hours and pay a certain amount of money. But, felony marijuana charges are much harder to get dropped than misdemeanors. If someone has prior drug charges, both misdemeanors and felonies can receive incarceration time. Not all marijuana charges can be expunged. Expungement of any drug charge requires money, time, and the right attitude.

Many events have to fall in place to stay out of jail. For example, if arrested at the age of 18 with four and one half ounces of marijuana in a vehicle. The charges from the State of North Carolina are two felonies, one for possessing over one and one half ounces of marijuana, and one for maintaining a vehicle for sale and delivery of marijuana (State by State Laws). The punishment would be probation, residing with parents or relatives for the next calendar year with a curfew, attend drug classes, performing random urine screens, complete 225 hours of community service, and a punishment from almost every college or university. Legal problems are not just what happens in the court room in front of a judge, but what one can legally do when one wants to. The judge and prosecuting Defense Attorney decide what a certain person can do and how much trouble a person is in if the rules are broken. When on probation, a person has to follow all rules and regulations. When a person is on probation for a felony drug charge, that person has to pass urine screens. A dirty urine screen can and will usually result in incarceration time. Legal problems do not just have