Overall, Marijuana affects you in various ways. Although, Marijuana is a recreational drug it has many side effects whether it be positive or negative. Marijuana is a psychoactive dried flower bud, leaves, or preparations (such as hashish) or chemicals (such as THC) that are derived from the cannabis plant that can be smoked like a cigarette or through a bong. This drug can cause a temporary high that makes you have more of an appetite, distortion of time, and that overall calm euphoric feel. In “The Health and Social Effects of Non-medical marijuana” the World Health Organization (W.H.O) explains to us the short-term effects of what happens when marijuana and its main chemical compound, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) enters the body. The short-term effects, come with some other minor effects as well. In “How Pot Affects Your Mind and Body ” Paul Frysh also tells us about how marijuana can cloud your senses and judgment and makes it harder for you to focus. Many people say this doesn’t happen to them but the majority can because of tests and what is shown. Lastly, the article, “Health Effects of Marijuana” by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns us about the more serious consequences of smoking including having an increased risk of a stroke, heart disease, and other vascular diseases. Also increased greater risk of bronchitis, cough, and mucus production. I was generally surprised that marijuana can cause this much damage to the human body even though it is a recreational drug and even medical depending on the situation. I always thought that marijuana had no long-term effects because of how much our society this day and age uses it. Now I understand why it is considered illegal in different states but now I wonder why cigarettes aren’t illegal too when they cause even more harm to the human body than marijuana. I learned that marijuana can benefit some people while having a negative impact on others. I believe that people of all ages who smoke marijuana need to hear about the potential dangers of this drug first before it is too late. Marijuana smokers should know what they are getting themselves into before deciding what to do with the information because at the end of the day it’s still the person’s choice whether to stop or not. It is their life and their decision but knowing what you are putting yourself into is better than not knowing at all.