Well, you have to look at the fact that marijuana is typically a gate-way drug. That means that taking marijuana could possibly lead to other, more serious drugs. If you are arguing with your friends against it, you could claim that you don't want to get involved in something which could numb your sense of reality or you think that it could lead to other things. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marijuana

This question is pretty broad ill answer as best as i can covering as many bases as i can. part 1. on the immediate medical harm: Marijuana is simillar to cigarettes in terms of cancer causing material. Some argue there is less tar, making them less dangerous. The tar content of marijuana is SLIGHTLY less than that of cigarettes, but still releases all the same chemicals. Emphizema, lung cancer... all the things they warn about cigarettes (minus the addiction, more on that later) are just as possible with marijuana. part 2. Addiction Unlike cigarrets, there are no phyisicaly addictive qualities in marijuana. That is to say there is no withdrawl nor physical dependancy. Phsycological dependance can occure however and is very simmilar to alchohol in nature. Usualy those who have experienced past or recent trama or depression can depend on it to get them out of their hole. The argument of marijuana being a gateway drug is a flimsy one. People who drift to the deep end of drugs usualy have a motivation guiding them in that direction that isnt stemed from marijuana usage. In almost all cases ive seen of those who smoke marijuana who are not addicts have absolutely no desire if not being completely against using any other drug. Part 3. Long term effects Aside from the possibilities of lung cancer, emphizima etc, the most affected part of the body is the part of your brain that retains short term memory (forgot what it was called.) However, Scientists are still not entirely sure how THC works on the brain and have not yet compiled a list of direct negative effects on the brian. One therory is that THC immitates messages across several regions in the brain. There is a compound already present similar in structure to THC present in the brain that allows this. THC has extreamly low toxicity and is not immediately dangerous in any amount that a typical user can ingest. In closing, marijuana is about as dangerous as any leagal drug in america. I know this is going to put some people into argue mode, but ultimately, a lot of diferent people use marijuana. You cant judge it based on the people who missuse it. a lot of people drink alchohol. some people who drink alchohol/smoke weed shouldnt, and end up making a horrible life for themselfs. others can enjoy it with no problem. It just depends on the person. hope this helped you out!

of course it is bad for you? Any drug taken in uncertain doses and without being prescribed has the danger of harming the body. 1)Marijuana is usually smoked- all the problems of cigarettes (including oral cancers, throat cancers, lung cancers and passive smoking) are there, the same as they are with tobacco, even if the tar levels are slightly lower. 2)Marijuana is mind altering. That means it is causing disruptions to the brain's normal function. Long term use can lead to schizophrenia, depression, paranoia and other mental illnesses http://www.theantidrug.com/drug_info/marijuana_mental_health.asp http://www.mediacampaign.org/newsroom/factsheets/marij_mhealth.html www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn3098 3) Marijuana can cause infertility, both in males and females. It can lead to miscarriages http://health.ivillage.com/infertility/infertpreven/0,,x4,00.html alcoholism.about.com/cs/pot/a/blub031013.htm www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=00058C35-2F24-1C68-B882809EC588ED9F 4) like tobacco, marijuana smoking can impair a foetus' growth www.merck.com/mmhe/sec22/ch259/ch259a.html 5)Marijuana is a major cause of car accidents: www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20051201/marijuana-raises-risk-of-fatal-car-crash - 77k These facts may not convince your friends, but hopefully they might. At least they will strengthen you in your resolve to stay clean.

Well i can prove that in some ways Weed is good for you. My dad...he had cancer that was spreading through his chest and he had been on Kemo for about 5 years. He lost almost all of his hair and it was really devastating seeing my dad die from this. He went to this doctor in Columbus, Ohio and he told my dad that he should smoke One joint a day and not to tell anyone about it. After smoking pot for 6 months my dads hair started to grow back and the cancer had stopped spreading. COMPLETELY stopped. and the doctors went in and got all the cancer out, he now smokes weed and has never had a problem since and he is in better health then he had ever been. Hes also one of the smartest people i know. His IQ is 187 and he graduated college as the valedictorian in psychology and sociology. So where in 15 years has weed caused my dad problems??? also Weed had no additives it is grown natural from the earth, and then dried, tobacco has so many additives in it that it causes death in so many ways. on the other hand Pot has no recorded cases of death from that "drug" ALONE. Where do you get your information that the THC causes emphesema??? If weed stopped my dad from dieing from cancer AND they give marijuana to glaucoma victims...where is the harm???

I'm gonna give you a comedy clip by Katt Williams. Yes, It's funny, but it's so true. All the pot smokers know how right he is. This is only part of the skit, you can find the rest of it online. BTW: There are a BUNCH OF CUSS WORDS. It IS EDITED, but DON'T watch it if you don't want to, or if you think you'll be insulted!!! http://www.ifilm.com/video/2771088

Marijuana(pot), destroys your brain and it destroys your lungs. You may not feel the damaging effects today or tomorrow, but as your age progresses, your health will deteriorate at a much faster pace.

Your not going to change their minds. Smoking anything is not good for you, I think everyone realizes that. Marijuana is much safer than a lot of the other drugs people get into such as alcohol and tobacco. You could use information from the DEA or ONDCP websites but that stuff changes so rapidly, their story is different everyday... It's your choice you shouldn't have to feel like you need to back it up.

It freakin' kills you! it affects the neurotransmitters in your brain, and can screw up your way of thinking

HAHAHA POT AINT BAD FOR U BY ITSELF! SAY U DO CRACK RIGHT.........AND IT FUKS UR BRAIN UP, WELL IF U DO CRACK THEN WEED ON TOP OF IT, ITLL PROLLY GIVE U BRAIN DAMAGE AND U WILL B BLIND.THATS NOT EXACTLY WHHAT WILL HAPPEN, BUT IF U DO POT ON TOP OF SOME OTHER DRUG, IT WILL MAKE THE OUTCOME WORSE, BUT IF U DO POT ALONE, ITS OK

I am a retired narcotics officer and will give you examples of what is not good. Depresion;loss of co-ordination;inhability to make rational decisions;brain damage (atrophy of brain cells);lung damage; long term neurological damage;schizoprenia. You need only one good reason and here are several.

Your friends are morons I'm afraid.

See this one for yourself...

Every now and then isn't worse than anything else I suppose, aside from side effects of bad tripping...but extended and/or regular use of marijuana does have its negative effects. For one, it can mess up your lungs, it kills your brain cells, and as well, may induce apathy and even temporary depression, and a lack of motivation for previous interests and hobbies. Wouldn't be surprised if some of those could be permanent, too. Regular users can easily lead normal lives, and it may be less hazardous than smoking, and also I might not be entirely accurate here, but don't go believing that weed doesn't do anything except get you high.

absolutely NOT. weed doesn't kill brain cells, nobody has ever died of it, u cant overdose, it's not addictive, it doesn't make u stupid, and it isn't harmful to ur body. it actually helps. it reduces stress, makes you feel mellow and calm afterwards even when ur not high, it makes ur sense of humor better, it makes EVERYTHING more enjoyable, and lowers ur blood pressure which is really good. the only bad thing that could happen is you could get a bad smokers cough when ur 60 which my uncle has. he says it's not that bad. u just cough sometimes when you smoke. not alot. just a really loud cough. no problem.

i think its really bad 4 u cuz u dnt member wat ur doing and you could get into some big trouble

its called stupid weed for a reason

no it is not it does not give you cancer or lung problems it is not addicting no one has ever overdosed weed is not bad for you