Persuasive Speech:Medicinal Marijuana
...e used to help with serious health problems. { First let’s take a look at it’s effects on the body and mind } Body I. Marijuana effects the mind and body in many different ways. A. The main component in marijuana is THC. 1. It is the chemical that triggers marijuana’s main drug actions and effects in the body and brain. 2. THC is like a feel good chemical bomb that explodes on contact. B. According to TIME magazine Nov.4,2002 the effects marijuana has on the brain and body are minimal. 1. Many people consider marijuana to be very harmful to your lungs. a. I asked a smoker if he thought that marijuana was harder on your lungs then cigarettes, he replied “yes.” b. He seemed almost shocked to hear that he was wrong c. Marijuana is actually less harmful than cigarettes. d. According to Quit Smoking Stop Online “cigarettes contain about 4,000 unnatural toxic chemicals. While marijuana contains 400 natural chemicals. 2. Another misconception is that marijuana kills brain cells. a. According to USAToday.Com marijuana probably does not kill brain cells. b. At least it doesn’t kill neurons or nerve cells. c. In one animal study, test animals were given 100 times the normal amount in daily overdoses of THC throughout their lives. d. These animals didn’t suffer any brain damage, but rather lived longer and healthier lives. { Marijuana is also a safe alternative to other medications } II. According to a Medical Marijuana Briefing Paper on mpp.org marijuana is on the of the safest therapeutically active substances know. A. No one has ever died from an overdose of marijuana. B. Medicinal Marijuana has been proven to be a safe alternative to many drugs already in use. 1. Marijuana also doesn’t have many of the side effects commonly associated with these drugs. 2. Marijuana is relatively safe compared to legal pain killers such as morphine. C. Medicinal Marijuana users are also less likely to become physical dependant to the drug, than other drugs currently available. D. Marijuana has many therapeutical applications. 1. Relief from nausea and increase appetite. 2. Reduction in intraocular eye pressure. 3. Reduction in muscle spasms. 4. Relief from chronic pain. { I would finally like to discuss the many ways marijuana can be beneficial in fighting serious illness } III. Mariju...