Directions: Answer the following prompt in a well-developed paragraph.Prompt: With all states likely to legalize recreational marijuana use in the future, how will a person’s Health Triangle potentially be affected (positively or negatively)? Why might increased social acceptance of marijuana be harmful to teenagers? In a society that is becoming more accepting of marijuana as both a recreational and medicinal substance, what policies should be in place to protect teenagers from marijuana harm?
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
With the increasing legalization of marijuana across several states, it is crucial to analyze its potential impact on an individual’s health triangle. The health triangle consists of physical, mental, and social well-being. Thus, it is essential to understand how the consumption of marijuana can impact each aspect of an individual’s health. Additionally, as marijuana becomes more socially accepted and accessible, it is essential to evaluate the potential impact on teenagers and implement policies that protect them from any harm.
Answer:
The consumption of marijuana can impact an individual’s health triangle negatively or positively. The physical effects of smoking marijuana include impaired reaction time, increased heart rate, and decreased lung function. Therefore, individuals who consume marijuana regularly could suffer from physical ailments in the long run, impacting their physical well-being. However, on the positive side, marijuana can help alleviate nausea, chronic pain, and anxiety. Thus, individuals struggling with such issues may benefit from the consumption of marijuana, enhancing their mental and social well-being.
Increased social acceptance of marijuana can be harmful to teenagers, primarily because their brains are still developing. Marijuana consumption can affect their brain’s development and impact their cognitive functions, including memory, attention, and learning. Furthermore, marijuana can also impair their judgment, leading to risky behavior, and addiction.
To protect teenagers from the negative effects of marijuana, policies should be in place that limit their accessibility to marijuana. Such policies should limit access to marijuana dispensaries, provide education about its harmful effects, and limit access to marijuana products with high THC content. Furthermore, policies should emphasize the importance of mental and social well-being and the negative effects of abusing marijuana. Finally, regular screening for substance abuse in schools could help identify individuals struggling with addiction and provide them with appropriate help.
