Under 21If my parents and other adults in my life can smoke, then I should be able to smoke too. 

Current research shows that marijuana has a negative impact on brain development and the mental health of young people, including anxiety, problem-solving, and memory. 

Young people should abstain or wait to start using marijuana. Besides, it is illegal for anyone under 21. Learn more about the marijuana laws

Marijuana is natural and healthy! I’m glad I can relieve stress using this outlet instead of alcohol or other drugs.
Marijuana smoke can damage your lungs and cardiovascular system (heart and blood vessels) just like tobacco. People who smoke marijuana inhale deeper and hold the smoke for longer, which increases tar exposure when compared to cigarettes. 

The ingredients and strengths of marijuana are not exactly the same from plant to plant. Right now, there’s no way to know for sure what kind and how much of a chemical you’re getting from home-grown plants. 

Additionally, levels of THC in marijuana continue to increase. In 1995, THC (full name tetrahydrocannabinol, marijuana’s main psychoactive ingredient) was 4%, and in 2014 the average THC level rose to 12%.

With a vape, I won’t have the negative impacts of smoking so I don’t have to worry.
While vaping may seem healthier than smoking, you still inhale chemicals in your lungs that may cause respiratory issues. There are higher concentrations of THC when you are dabbing or using hash, and vaping may produce a more dangerous high than smoking. 

Well, if smoking or vaping isn’t good for me, I can always eat brownies or something. 
Unfortunately edibles have their own risks too. The delay in the high caused by THC can cause people to ingest too much marijuana, which may result in a prolonged high and that could include hallucinations, paranoia, panic attacks, or trigger a psychotic episode. 

My classmates are all talking about how marijuana isn’t harmful and how everyone uses marijuana.
The way that people think about the health risks of marijuana has changed a lot over the years, partially because of the legalization of marijuana. Marijuana is also one of the first drugs a teen may be offered, usually before the age of 15. 

Twenty five percent of high school students think that half or more of the students in their grade used marijuana sometime in the past month. However, 70% of high school students in Berrien County have not tried marijuana. While you may think many of your peers are using cannabis products, the statistics show this is not the case.

The bottom line is just because marijuana is legal doesn’t mean that it isn’t harmful! Many harmful substances, including alcohol and cigarettes, are available to the public. Many negative effects of marijuana don’t show up until later in life. Any kind of smoking causes lung damage, and marijuana smoke is just as harmful as nicotine smoke. More immediately, marijuana can influence mood disorders like anxiety and depression, which can affect performance in school and sports.