Drug Classification
Although marijuana has become legal in some states, and even decriminalized in many, even in south Florida where possession of the drug only earns one a civil fine. Marijuana is still considered a schedule 1 drug. Schedule one drugs according to findlaw.com “have a high potential for abuse, as well as a high potential for severe dependence”(Abuse, National Institute on Drugs). Other drugs in the same class as marijuana are “ecstasy, heroin, and psychedelics (Mushrooms, DMT, LSD)”(Abuse). The reasoning for the clarification of these drugs as schedule one are that their soul purpose is to be used to get high and make the user have mental stimulation. These drugs all trigger the release of dopamine in the brains which is the natural chemical our bodies interpret as pleasure. When a person eats good food, accomplishes something great, or has sexual activity, the brain releases large amounts of dopamine to make one enjoy the event. But, when a person used drugs such as these, dopamine is released artificially thus altering the natural amount of
dopamine. In drug dependency studies, users of schedule one drugs were less likely to enjoy typical dopamine releasing tasks while non using members were more likely to be stimulated from typically enjoyable events (FDA.gov). Although I would not like to say marijuana cannot be used for good, the drug as a whole with all included chemicals does indeed have a highly addictive nature.