The issue of legalizing marijuana has been widely discussed and debated throughout the country. Many people wonder whether marijuana should be legalized or not. Some believe this substance should be decriminalized, while others believe it should remain a controlled substance. Each writer sorts out many valid points. I believe the time has come for us to accept the fact that marijuana use is not beneficial; it harms our lives and has a negative impact on society and young people. Therefore, marijuana should not be legalized for medical or recreational purposes for the following reasons: it usually causes minor mental impairments as well as behavioral changes, it can cause rare cases of schizophrenia, it mainly affects women during pregnancy, it impairs driving, it may have some medical benefits, but it causes more medical problems than benefits. In research conducted over the past several decades, Colorado and Washington have already begun widespread legalization of marijuana. Both states say marijuana should be decriminalized because it is not harmful or dangerous to personal health. They mention that the commonly used drug is no more harmful than alcohol and tobacco. They again mention that marijuana does not cause mental impairment or damage the brain. They further claim that marijuana does not cause medical problems; however, it could bring more medical benefits to the public and the government. They conclude that if marijuana is legalized, it will not negatively impact users' lives. Many opponents of this issue argue that marijuana should be legalized because it is non-toxic than alcohol and tobacco. Several people are said to have died middle of paper......Press, 2004. Web. April 3, 2014.Sanchez, Natalia. “Marijuana use causes brain damage, study finds.” Guardian Liberty Voice.Np, April 15, 2014. Web. May 2, 2014. Staff, Healthwise. “Medical Marijuana.” Health Encyclopedia. Kaiser Permanente, November 15, 2012. Web. May 2, 2014.Strachan, Yukio. “Does Smoking Marijuana Cause Schizophrenia?” Does smoking marijuana cause schizophrenia? Np, December 10, 2013. Web. May 4, 2014.T, buddy. “The Many Negative Health Effects of Marijuana.” The health effects of marijuana. About.com Alcoholism, March 18, 2014. Web. May 4, 2014. Turner, Carlton and Herbert Goldstein. “Research does not support the use of medical marijuana.” South Florida Sun - SentinelApril 18, 2013.ProQuest.Web. May 2, 2014. United States Drug Enforcement Administration. “Marijuana is dangerous.” Marijuana. Ed. Mary E. Williams. San Diego: Green Haven Press, 2003. web. April 2. 2014.