This is the con argument on legalizing marijuana in the state of Maryland. To view the pro click here.

After this past election, Colorado and Washington voters made the awful decision to legalize marijuana.

Maryland should certainly not follow in their footsteps for the general health and well-being of its citizens.

Marijuana may seem like no big deal but it has drastic psychological and physical effects.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, many studies have shown a correlation between marijuana use and increased anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia.

Marijuana also heavily affects a person’s physical health.  A person smoking marijuana is nearly five times more likely to suffer a heart attack at that moment because of increased heart rates.

Some say that it isn’t an addictive drug. Scientists beg to differ: according to WebMD, marijuana is a physically addictive drug that shows signs of addiction even for occasional users, and even worse signs with continued use.

Some say marijuana should be legal since cigarettes are.  But according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana smoke contains up to 70 percent more cancer-causing substances than regular cigarette smoke.

According to the Huffington Post, a study done at the University of Michigan showed that marijuana use for teens has been on the rise.

The teenage years are some of a person’s most vulnerable, and Maryland should strive to provide guidance for teens.  If there are laws in place that help to show them what’s right and wrong, their morals will follow suit.

Authorities should crack down more on marijuana use, especially with those who supply it to others, so that marijuana use starts to decline.

Marijuana damages the health of those that smoke it and the only way to counter the rise of marijuana use and combat these health risks is to keep it illegal. Maryland should first and foremost look out for the health and morality of its citizens, not the statistical benefits for the economy.

 Brianna Glase is the Online Chief for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.