The Editorial Board of The New York Times has decided that it is time to throw out the ban on marijuana. Prohibition of alcohol in the United States did not last very …show more content…
Suzanne Steinbaum’s article, “The Truth About Marijuana: Health Risks Trivialized”, outlines the many risks of regular marijuana use. Before the country decides to legalize marijuana, officials should consider all of the facts. Studies have shown that marijuana smoking is linked to ischemic stroke, a stroke in the brain caused by blood deprivation, and cardiovascular disease. There is also the potential for marijuana legalization to lead to the abuse of the narcotic. Obesity and diabetes are already prevalent in America’s younger population; Marijuana legalization will only increase disease and potential stroke in …show more content…
She has been a guest on well-know TV shows such as “Good Morning America” and “The Early Show”. Steinbaum recently released her book "Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum 's Heart Book: Every Woman 's Guide to a Heart Healthy Life,” and is also the host of the news show “Focus on Health”. The aforementioned essay was published in Live Science’s Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights April 23, 2014. Steinbaum starts her essay right away with the claim, “In this new era of marijuana legalization, the information delivered to the public often extols the benefits of cannabis, with its seemingly magical properties.” She goes on to prove this claim by using scientific research. A European Analysis by the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) System that Steinbaum cited in her article provides evidence that cannabis use increased the risk of heart attack in people. At this point in the article, Steinbaum mentions pro-marijuana lobbyist and how they spin marijuana off to be a “natural drug.” The mention of opponents establishes credibility with the reader. Mentioning rebuttals and working toward disproving them is a very effective strategy in argumentative writing. The article also uses potential for abuse of marijuana as a concern for legalization. Obesity and diabetes are two of the top diseases found in American teenagers. These illnesses are caused by the overconsumption of substances.