Effects of marijuana on the respiratory system

Effects of Marijuana on the Respiratory System
Author’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Marijuana legalization is one of the hottest debates that is going on across the globe. This debate stems from different beliefs that people hold over its legalization. The proponents of legalization argue that marijuana is a drug that is used by millions of people all over the world. Therefore, it is pure hypocrisy to inhibit its usage, yet many people are addicted to this drug. On the other hand, opponents of legalization propose that legalizing marijuana will make it easily accessible. This will trigger more people to abuse the drug. This essay endeavors to focus on the effects of marijuana use on the respiratory system.
In my opinion, I feel that marijuana should not be legalized at all. Notably, marijuana poses more harm than good. This is owing to the long-term health effects that marijuana has on an individual. It is important to note that the components of marijuana are almost the same as those of tobacco. Thus, marijuana users experience a myriad of health issues, for example, heavy coughs.
Chronic bronchitis is a condition that is linked to marijuana users. This causes damage to the lungs and the respiratory system as a whole (Martinasek, McGrogan & Maysonet, 2016).
Secondly, lung cancer has been linked to the marijuana users. This could be attributed to the carcinogenic compounds found in marijuana (Howden & Naughton, 2001).
Marijuana smoke also causes inflammation of the airwaves (Earleywine, 2003).

As a result, marijuana users experience increased infections on their respiratory duct than non-users. As a result, this leads to visible lung damage which escalates the susceptibility to other respiratory illnesses like pneumonia, emphysema as well as asthma.
In a nutshell, therefore, the recreational use of marijuana should not be legalized. As seen from the essay marijuana use poses a lot of health risks. The federal states should, therefore, adopt a firm stand against the legalization of marijuana use.
References
Earleywine, M. (2003). Marijuana’s Health Effects. Understanding Marijuana.
Howden, M. L., & Naughton, M. T. (2011). Pulmonary effects of marijuana inhalation. Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine.
Martinasek, M. P., McGrogan, J. B., & Maysonet, A. (2016). A Systematic Review of the Respiratory Effects of Inhalational Marijuana. Respiratory Care.