People try marijuana for a large number of reasons, depending on the age when they try it and the situation. Children and teens may use it out of curiosity, or may follow the example of brothers and sisters, or even parents (NIDA, 2003). Children who are already using tobacco or alcohol often also use marijuana. Some do it because of peer pressure, some because they do not get along well with their parents or are having problems at home or at school. Others use it to cope with anxiety, depression, or boredom. Children and teens who are sexually abused are at higher risk for using marijuana.
In adults, marijuana is used to relieve pain and suffering in such diseases as HIV, AIDS, cancer, arthritis, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma (it relieves intraocular pressure), epilepsy, and Parkinson's disease (About, 2004). It is used as an alternative to pain killers, anti-depressants, tranquilizers, alcohol and other drug remedies. It is used by some adults to relieve stress, or simply as a recreational drug.
Francis L. Young, Administrative Law Judge for the DEA wrote "In strict medical terms marijuana is far safer than many foods we commonly consume. For example, eating ten raw potatoes can result in a toxic response. By comparison, it is physically impossible to eat enough marijuana to induce death" (About, 2004)
A lot of terminally ill people use marijuana because their bodies can no longer tolerate conventional drugs. For those addicted to hard drugs, it can aid withdrawal and abstinence. For many, it is a better natural remedy for depression than anti-depressants. For others, it is similar to relaxing with a glass of wine or cup of coffee. For many, it simply improves the quality of their lives.
Although it is often reported that marijuana is a gateway to hard drug use for many, it does not seem to be so among adolescents (Gateway, 2002). A mathematical model developed by the RAND Corporation o...