The Lesser Of Two Evils Being a responsible adult is no longer about a matter whether your child does his or her chores. It’s about making tough decision that will shape his or her future when it comes down to the two evils: marijuana and cigarettes. Marijuana hinders a child from reaching its full potential, mentally, physically, and emotionally. As a parent we have the responsibility to fight to secure a positive future for our children and the world they grow up in. Teenagers and young adults who use marijuana on a regular basis are be damaging their brains in ways they are not intending.
Research shows that regular marijuana use increases the chance that a teenager will develop mental health problems later in life. Scientist have uncovered that 4 out of 10 teenagers who smoke marijuana on a regular basis will develop some sort of psychosis and schizophrenia by the time they are 50 yrs. old. Furthermore, a larger medical studies show reveals that teenagers who smoke marijuana have social development problems throughout their lives.
In some states, teenagers who in possess cigarettes can be fined and required to do community service. Possession of marijuana will defiantly have legal repercussions.In South Carolina first time offenders in possession of cigarettes by a teenager is a small fine and community service for first time offender. Marijuana is illegal and is a misdemeanor no matter what age for first time offenders’ . second time offenders will have a mandatory sentence.
The Government has made it clear that they will prosecute to the full extent of the law, anyone carrying anything over and ounce as sales and distribution mandatory minimum sentence. As a parent I believe the lesser the two evils is cigarettes, which its own problems.Studies have shown that 3 out of 10 long time smokers have developed some sort of cancer or physical disability. Insurance companies now ask if applicant has ever smoked cigarettes, and if yes, the insurer can expect a 20% increase at the very minimum if the provider decide to take the applicant. Cigarettes a hazard to life have become common since the early 1930s in the United States. The large majority of cigarette smokes ignores the warning signs and continues to smoke and endanger their lives and the lives of the people around them.
Although awareness of the hazards of smoking is steadily rising, still young people ignore the health issue at hand. As parents we have a moral and social obligation, so where do we stand? How do we guild our children of tomorrow? Do we live with cancer that is caused by cigarettes or do we shovel everything we own into a pipe pong and smoke it until there is nothing left? I can still remember from my personal experience when I was a teenager dealing with cigarettes and marijuana . unfortunately for health reasons. Marijuana played a big part in my mental development and lack of motivation that lead me to drop out of school.Being a responsible adult is a great weight that society has placed on us. The future is in our hands and should not be taken lightly.
So when you walk into your teenagers room and find marijuana under your roof and under your nose, put the fear of God, Country, Man into him or her . Parents can’t look the other way. It’s our responsibility to protect our children even from their own destruction . If I must choose between the two evils that has slowly deteriorated our society I would rather find cigarettes in my teenagers room . the effect of pot smoking is far worse than cigarettes.
