Koji Aoki

9/15/2015

English 1010 Essays

This is Just Great
In the article America Is Great by Roger Cohen, Cohen opinionates that greatness, if
attained, is dangerous. He declares that greatness as an exemplary title, an honorary label that
comes with a cost. In fact, the new presidential candidate for the Republican Party Donald
Trump has proposed America can be great again. Cohen reassures his audience American
international diplomats and national voting aged citizens that the thought of Donald Trump as
our next national leader is a peculiar thought. He convincingly persuades by using examples of
dangerous historical events that have impacted and changed the world while excellently
engaging the reader with his sarcastic tone and choice of diction.
Cohen brilliantly persuades readers that his argument is valid and legitimate, with his
strong use of logos that back up his claim. In America is Great, Roger Cohen wonderfully
emphasizes how throughout worlds history many countries have pursued for greatness and have
fallen, leading in yearly or permanent damage. His first historical event that he uses as an
example is of The Great War. Because WWI is a well known event across the globe with its
millions of deaths, responsibility for a huge turning point in the Earths history, and the war of all
wars; Cohen immediately captures the audiences attention because many emotions of sourness
and tenderness are connected to this war. People are willing to do anything to avoid history
repeating itself. WWI is a perfect example to engage the readers pathos in order for them to
more easily agree with his argument. He also lists off other valid and well- substantial points that
his audience will definitely accept such as the Algerian War and Irelands Great Famine. Since
many have been impacted on way or another by these well-known events, using these particular

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examples makes his argument more believable. For example, because of Irelands Great Famine
the American nation was affected permanently with aftermath. Because Irish immigrants were
one large component to southern troops during the Civil War, Americas history was greatly
changed and affected. By using these specific examples Cohen notifies readers that this is reality
and not just some newspaper article opinion. Also, by doing so he shows readers that if America
seeks for greatness again, The U.S. could face devastating consequences that will destroy our
country.
Cohen reinforces his argument even more by his diction. One example is when he states
far better to curtail ambition and embrace ordinariness. The adjective curtail means to cut off
a part or cut short. In the same sentence he uses the word embrace to modify ordinariness.
Embrace means to clasp in the arms. This phrase puts an image in the mind of readers of
greatness being isolated with no communication at all and clasping or holding tight to
ordinariness. This engages the reader to think more on the topic of why this is typical thought in
Europe and what has lead the European people to think this way? Cohen further highlights his
point by redundantly saying the same theme in the next sentence better to be the face in the
crowd than the face on the cover of Time magazine. By stating the same meaning Cohen
emphasizes that no one who has experienced greatness wants anything to do with it. This is an
ironic statement because everyone wants to be seen on public magazines. We as people are so
obsessed of what other people think that appearing on a magazine is a dream. Therefore he
ignites a thought process to double think exerting oneself for recognition and if fame truly is
worth the while, it definitely wasnt worth the while for Adolf Hitler. With his use of diction his
point is strengthened and people better understand that the consequences of greatness are literally
life changing.

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Lastly, Cohen influences the reader to think Trump is not the best candidate for our nation
with his sarcastic yet legitimate opinions. Firstly, with Cohens sarcastic comparison Ronald
Regan, who also had striking hair, emphasizes that Trump will not compare to the kind of leader
Regan was. Ronald Regans striking leadership was responsible for reviving national pride
during the mayhem that our nation faced in the 60s and 70s; with the assassination of JFK, The
Vietnam War, and the continuing threat of nuclear war. Rather, the only thing Trump has is his
striking mock-worthy hair. Since his target audience the readers of New York Times has readers
that are mostly well educated center left America citizens, he is able to accurately prove his
claim with a satiric comment without angering his readers. Cohen uses pathos when Cohen
brings to the readers attention of Trumps zero knowledge on the topic, therefore fortifying his
point even more that Trump is not president material. For example, Cohen refers to Trumps
intelligent idea to bomb the Iraqian oil fields as sending a neo-Napoleonic army out across
the Continent. With his sarcasm, readers better understand how outrageous that idea or
comment really is. If Trump really thinks that a bomb will not cause another world war, but
rather calm down the Middle East, he is more delusional than I thought. Cohen sarcastically lists
more of Trumps Make America Great ideas such as entrepreneurship, immigration e.g. build a
wall, and manufacturing campaign hats. With this sarcastic tone Cohen proves to readers that
Trumps ideas are not for bettering our nation, but rather ideas that are absurd and very useful
for self-amusement. Likewise, because Cohen makes fun of Trumps campaign and at the same
time brings awareness about Trumps idiotic ideas, readers are subconsciously persuaded into
making a decision that Trump is not the best candidate for our nation. So during the next
presidential debate, readers will tune in to watch Trump for their own self amusement and
mockery instead of touched and moved by his words and new ideas into bettering our nation.

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Cohens sarcastic tone influences readers to think that Donald Trumps brilliant business mind is
not made to be a wise political mind.
In the article America is Great. Roger Cohen successfully argues with supporting
points that with greatness comes danger. Also with his hilarious use of sarcastic tone and choice
of diction, Cohen reassures the audience that Donald Trumps campaign is ridiculous and
unintelligent and that he is not ready for a job like president of the United States. Although
Trump has successfully succeeded in the business world, this will not continue in the diplomatic
world. There always comes a time for retirement and retirement doesnt sound bad at all. The
best part for is that it is dangerous free, and that is just really, really great.

Get Rid of the Weight off of Your Shoulders

A beach body is something that every single human being dreams for. People worldwide
portray a perfect body as muscular and lean. Having that type of body will give the owner
endless positive consequences that will impact their life forever. While having that body they
will not only have outstanding health, but confidence and appeal to the opposite sex. With
numerous tests results that prove that healthiness is happiness, then why is the world struggling
with obesity? Motivation is a key element that is lacked with millions of people trying to lose
that extra body fat or fit into that cocktail dress. In the advertisement Get rid of the weight off
your shoulders, people are given motivation, hope, and awareness to the subject of obesity.
Companhia Athletica a gym in Sao Paulo, Brazil, released the ad in April 2007 that marketed the
solution and tool into helping millions of Brazilians achieve their health and wellness goals. The
advertisement is an outline of an obese man drinking soda that has the muscular inner self trying

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to stop his outside self from drinking the soda and also trying to break free. With the
advertisements design and organization, Companhia Athletica successfully strikes the audiences
pathos of hope and alertness while promoting that their gym is the solution to that addictive
depressing problem.

The first time that the audience looks at the advertisement they are stuck with emotions
of motivation and desire to hit the gym. Companhia Athletica is able to accomplish this by their
design in the artwork. The advertisements design is made to catch the eye. With the white and
dark color contrast the reader is immediately drawn to the white center. The white center is filled
with a color photograph of a fit man grinding his teeth and is obviously discomforted and
driven to leave his situation. The audience members are then drawn to think of why? As their
eyes are drawn to the surrounding parts of the fit man you come to know that he is on the
inside of an obese man. The viewers have these emotions because of the black and white
contrast. With the black background the white immediately stands out. Even in the peripheral
vision the eye is attracted to the intense contrast that is made by the marketers. With making a
black and white contrast the marketers are able to illustrate the importance of two objects in the
advertisement. The two objects of the obese man and the fit inner are emphasized the key
elements to the artwork. Also the black and white contrast illuminates the company name of
Companhia Athletica and the advertisement name of Get rid of the weight off your
shoulders. In addition to the black and white contrast there is another contrast of white and
color inside the obese man. Because the fit inner man is surrounded by a white background the
fit man stands out the most in the picture. With the black background viewers brains immediately
focus in on the important factors of an inner man forcefully trying to stop the outer man

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from drinking a soda. With the vivid design of the inner man readers are subconsciously drawn
to the muscular image. The sharp color of the muscles of the man are defined to emotionally
show that he is trying with all his might to stop his outside self. This gives the readers pathos
because of the emotion that is tied to the inner man. By this the viewers are given a reflecting
and alert full thought process of what they truly are doing to their body when they consume those
junk food. The marketers are able to plant a double thought to the next time they choose what
they eat. Because I am sure that people do not want their inside self to look so exhausted and
hurt by the actions of our outer body.

The argument is further strengthened by the organization of the artwork. The organization
of the artwork is an uncomfortable inner man struggling to withstand and break free from his
outward self. It is successfully portrayed because of the organization and position. With the
position of the fit man inside of the obese man gives an emotion that the inner man is trying to
break free. With his position of the edges of the man with is muscles fully flexed and contracted
give the effect that he is trying to break free of his old environment. Furthermore, the emotion of
his face shows how much effort and strengthen he is putting into his mission. With the position
of his left hand blocking the soda from entering the body, illustrates that the inner man is sick
and tired of the poor food consumption. This automatically ignites the viewers pathos that we
may not feel the whole impact of what we eat day to day. Moreover, with the fit man clenching
his teeth shows how much effort it is for the fit inner self to come out. Also, it emphasizes that
it takes effort to get rid of the weight off of your shoulders a solution is proposed because it is
an advertisement for a well-known city gym. Through emotional awareness of their problem and
motivation, like the inner man, the viewer desires to leave the situation. The Companhia

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9/15/2015

Athletica gym is obviously the solution or tool to the obesity problem that many people in this
decade face.

In the advertisement of Get rid of the weight off of your shoulders gives the reader a
motivation and a sense that there will be a better day (better body) tomorrow. Companhia
Athletica successfully promotes that their gym is the gym to let your inner self out literally.
With the use of their black and white design, organization and position, viewers have a reason to
hit the gym. A hope is planted that everyone has a fit inner self give the new members and active
gym members to keep on exercising. The advertisement is a perfect way to illustrate a sensitive
point that needs to be addresses: that you are fat and need to exercise, and we are the gym for
you so that you can get rid of the weight off of your shoulder.

Concentrating or Hardly Concentrating at All

Im ringing you just to see if my call sounds good at your end. When Martin Cooper said
this with the first mobile phone on April 3, 1973, a major step was made in the development of
the cellular phone (Seard 1). Decades later, from one person with access to a cell phone to 6
billion people with access, now this advancement truly contributes to the lives of millions of
people. From that day the cell phone industry could not stop developing bigger and better cell
phones, cell phones with bigger memory capacity, speeds, and flawless designs. Cells phones
have become almost a must-have accessory in the twenty-first century. They are responsible for
things such as helping a CEOs make marketing deals, helping the leader of the free-world solve
international conflicts, and even helping Mom cook that Sunday dinner. The purposes are
endless. However, cell phones are not only responsible for helping make historical events, but

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also they are responsible for hindering educations of K-12 Utah students during the twenty-first
century. Now, these students are not using cell phones to make industrial marketing deals, federal
laws, or finding dinner recipes, but rather Utah students are using them for selfies, Snapchat, and
Instagram. These seemingly harmless acts made during school hours can lead to disruptions in
classroom and poor learning. Because of the negative impact of cell phones in the school
classrooms, the Utah Board of Education should make an elimination of cell phones in Utah
schools, in order to aid in positive learning in the classroom.
Rapid advancements of cell phones over the last few decades have lead K-12 students to
weaken their education and learning environments in the classroom. The Art Institutes say,
[Cell phones are] rapidly expanding, better software title[s], better screen
resolution[s], and constantly improved interface make cell phones easier to
navigate, and more fun to useadd[ing] capacity that can hold [as] much
memory as a computer would just a few years ago, and you can see why its an
exploding market (The History 1).
Because of these advancements, with just a touch of a button a typical K-12 students can secretly
enter into social media, gaming systems, or even have an ongoing conversation with the person
sitting next to them during class. Since, 66 percent of the 2,000 U.S. students (ages 8-18) say
they own cell phones, there is a definite probability of poor concentrations and thus an increase
in poor academic performance in the classroom (Engel 1). This leads students to not
understanding the educational material being taught and also to falling behind in school. Cell
phone usage in the classroom also leads to distractions and disruptions to the learning
environment for the other students. For example, a classroom controversy in a Southern

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Carolinian High School happened because of the poor use of a students cellular device. The
whole conflict would been avoided if the student did not even have her cell phone in the first
place. According to the SAGE tests 41.1 percent of Utah students tested proficient in English and
Language Arts, with 38.7 percent proficient in Math and 43.7 percent proficient in Science
(SAGE 1). With being one of the lowest test scoring states in America there is room for
improvement and this improvement will come when cell phones are eliminated from the
classroom, forcing students to focus on educational material that is being taught without
becoming distracted.
Cell phones do not only distract teens from learning in the classroom but also contribute to
bad school environments. Cell phone acts that contribute to these poor environments are
cyberbullying and cheating. With Utah students using Internet connections on their mobile
phones, victims are even more accessible to bullies virtually 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
(Bullying 2). According to a survey taken at a Midwestern university system, 10.1 percent of
the students experienced cyberbullying by another student (Sturgis 2). Kids being bullied are
expected to face anxiety, depression, loneliness, unhappiness, and poor sleep. Since cell phones
are now working up to speeds of ten gigabits per second, sending text messages, surfing the web,
and recording HD videos; K-12 students can easily pull out there hand held phone during school
exams and cheat on the test. Cheating in school now will impact then in the future by lack of
knowledge learned and also the likelihood to engage in dishonest acts in the workplace (Engel
3).
The evidence seems clear that having cell phones eliminated from the classroom kids will be
better able to attain the information in school without the time lost out of the classroom
relearning the material. On the contrary, some disagree that having cell phones in classrooms

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improve the educational setting. According to Robert Sterner, a teacher who believes cell phones
can positively contribute to school learning, states that cell phones are important to the classroom
participation, communication towards their parents in case of emergency, and development of
willpower to resist cell phone vibrations (Sterner 2). Sterner successfully argues that with cell
phones used in classrooms, students will better able to quickly retrieve background information
while opening new frontiers to explore. Where these frontiers can only be explored on the
Internet and not in a textbook. However, to many students the relationship status of their fellow
peers on Facebook is much more intriguing than investigating on the Internet about eukaryotic
cells centrosomes, use microtubules to divide chromosomes in Anaphase during Mitosis.
Because of the popularity of cell phone usage on social media rather than educational
investigation, Sterners argument has many flaws. Firstly, the time spent developing willpower
by constantly resisting that thought to check the new text message could have been used into
learning the material being taught. Secondly, class participation will not increase if cell phones
are permitted in the classrooms because the students will be too focused on their phones and not
be able to answer questions on the material being discussed in class. According to Garth
Sundem, a psychologist who graduated from Cornell University, only 2% of people can
multitask efficiently (1). Lastly, students cell phones are not the only form of communication
between a student and their parent. According to the Utah Department of Administrative Services
every Utah school is ordered have an emergency preparedness plan for any natural disaster,
accident, or any other events that endanger the safety of the school children (Rule R277 1).
Therefore, kids do not need cell phones while they are in school because there are means for a
parent to student communication or visa versa. This plan is designed to meet individual needs
(e.g. student - emergency contact information) (Rule R277 2). On the other hand, there is a far

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better solution, which will not only increase the educational learning but also the educational
environment.
One solution that will solve the disruptions in class and increase classroom learning is that
students will turn in their cell phones at the beginning of school hours. Since cell phones are
eliminated from classrooms, students will be forced to actually pay attention in class, resulting in
an increase in academic performance for Utah schools. According to Ill Communication: The
Impact of Mobile Phones on Student Performance, found after schools banned mobile phones,
the test scores of students improved by 6.4% (Beland 5). Furthermore, with the elimination of
cell phones there will be fewer disruptions in class. With fewer disruptions there is more time for
learning and foundational knowledge achieved. Leading students to actually be prepared for tests
and not be tempted to cheats on tests. In addition, with no access to social media during school
the rates of cyberbullying and sexting on school grounds will decrease. There would not have to
be any worry of kids contacting their parents because of school emergencies (e.g. school
shooting, terrorist attacks) because schools have the contact information of each parents cell
phone, home phone, and work phone. Also the parent could easily contact the student by calling
the school. Lastly, with cell phone elimination in the classroom the students will be able to
slowly break their habit of checking social media an average of six to eight hours a day (CNN 1).
By students turning in their cell phones, the positive consequences in students learning far out
weight the negative feedback and complaints from students and parents.
With technology influencing the worlds society and becoming more and more essential to
have knowledge. As Peter Drucker says Today knowledge has power. It controls access to
opportunity and advancement. The primary place for a child/young adult to obtain that
foundation of skills and where that knowledge can grow and can be found is in K-12 grade

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school. If the Utah School Board of Education eliminates cell phones, bad habit will be curtailed,
students academic performance will improve, and school learning environment will positively
increase. With a new cell phone regulation, the foundational knowledge will be easier to access
which will later help students during their young adult years. However, if cell phones are not
eliminated, weaker education may result, and therefore make it harder to succeed in college
environments or future jobs. Now, lets not actually make it a #highschoolproblem.

Cannabis: The Upcoming Culprit

The alarm rings; suddenly the light switch in the human body is turned on. ACTH and
Cortisol hormones begin to be released from the trillion neurotransmitters inside the brain. The
heart rate rises, pumping an average of 5.5 liters of blood with each pulse. The rhythmic heart
beat pumps the red blood cells through the many miles of blood vessels and arteries that line the
body. The amazing human body begins a constant process of making and storing energy so that
metabolic functions are possible. Millions of chemical reactions in the body take place in order
to sustain life (Rogell, Eric 2). Once awake, the human brain produces enough electricity to
power a small light bulb (Rogell, Eric 2). Like a machine, the human body needs to be constantly
maintained. Fuel is consumed to help the body produce the energy in order to sustain metabolic
functions. However, if recreational drugs are consumed, the body will be unable to power that
small light bulb or even power itself, resulting in a body shutdown.
Drugs are one type of these deadly substances that are the detrimental to the human body.
One of the most commonly consumed drugs is cannabis. That is 128 and 232 million people in
the U.S. weekly smoke cannabis (DrugFacts: Marijuana 5). Globally, the chemical substance

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has become more and more popular, especially in the United States; about half of the population
have tried smoking marijuana in 2015 (DrugFacts: Marijuana 4). The cannabis plant, known
as marijuana, is not a healthy green leafy vegetable. Rather, it has an opposite effect of damaging
the human body. Cannabis is a plant consumed as a psychoactive drug via smoking,
vaporization, tea, and in edibles. Cannabis is often consumed for its desirable mental and
physical effects, such as heightened mood, relaxation, mild-euphoria, and an increase in appetite
(DrugFacts: Marijuana 2). Although, this is a likable drug, some state governments have
accepted the recreational use of this toxic substance. Because of the newly written laws in four
states, eleven more states are on the threshold of welcoming the consumption of this illicit drug
(Governing Data 1). Welcoming this narcotic into society is not only welcoming highness on
life, but also a higher rate for life threatening diseases. The body reacts similarly when
cannabis is consumed as to when tobacco and alcohol are consumed, which leads to health
problems. One can conclude that the effects of more diagnosed smoke-affiliated cancers,
cardiovascular diseases, and driving fatalities will increase in the future.
In the future with no federal charge for recreational cannabis use, more and more people
will use this drug. The DEA says "Legalization has been tried beforeand failed miserably.
Alaska's experiment with legalization in the 1970s led to the state's teens using marijuana at
more than twice the rate of other youths nationally. This led Alaska's residents to vote to recriminalize marijuana in 1990"(Speaking Out Against Drug Legalization 3). This claim
suggests that consumption rates of marijuana will increase once marijuana usage is legalized.
Given legalization laws passed, one can see that the consumption rate of cannabis will increase
in coming years and so will the likelihood of an increase in diagnosing unwanted health diseases
and even death.

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Because of the similar effects cannabis and tobacco have on the human body, diagnosed
smoke-affiliated cancers and cardiovascular diseases are more likely to increase. Cannabis, like
tobacco, will smoke its way into becoming a health concern in human lives. Tobacco even had a
national debate too, becoming accepted into society during the 1950s and 1960s (Health
Effects of Cigarette Smoking 2). In spite of the deadly side effects, today tobacco is used by
forty-two million people in the U.S. (18%) (Tobacco-Related Cancers Fact Sheet 2). That is
comparable to the 24% who consistently consume marijuana (Armentano, Paul 3). Although
marijuana is not as addictive as tobacco smoke, one can see that smoking cannabis is just as
popular. Cannabis and tobacco not only have a relationship in their popularity, but both the
effects on the lungs and cardiovascular system related to cancer. Just like tobacco, cannabis
contains over fifty known carcinogens like tar, which is chemically similar to that found in
tobacco smoke. Marijuana smoke contains 50% to 70% more cancer-causing substances than
tobacco smoke (DrugFacts: Is Marijuana Medicine 2). Studies in Australia in 2008 also said
that a single cannabis joint could cause as much damage to the lungs as up to five regular
cigarettes smoked one after another (DrugFacts: Marijuana 1). These side effects are
correlated with the significant abnormalities of lung functions, with coughing, production of
sputum, wheezing, and other chronic bronchitis (DrugFacts: Marijuana 2). Moreover, cannabis
smoke is also inhaled longer and deeper than tobacco smoke causing the human body to be more
exposed to damaging chemicals. One can see that with an increase in cannabis use, there will be
an increase in cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, tobacco is not the only deadly drug that is
closely related to cannabis, but alcohol too.
Cannabis also effects the human body the same way as alcohol does. When consumed
alcohol and marijuana both have the similar brain effects on the human body. Consumption of

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marijuana or alcohol both have immediate symptoms of impaired judgments, slower reaction
time, and changes in behavior and mood (Beyond Hangovers: Understanding 8). In addition,
the brain reacts the same way when alcohol or marijuana is consumed. According to Sarah C.
Herremans, a psychiatrist at the University Hospital of Brussels, Belgium, the consumption of
alcohol suppresses Glutamate transmission and enhances Gaba transmission (Herremans, Sarah
C 12) which means that alcohol interferes with the brains communication pathways and can
affect the way the brain looks and works (Herremans, Sarah C 10). Also, when marijuana is
consumed, the release of cannabinoid hormones disrupt the neurotransmitters in the brain the
same way (Salzwedel, Andrew P 6). Nearly 88,000 people die from alcohol-related causes
annually, and in 2013 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities accounted for 10,076 deaths (Alcohol
Facts and Statistics 4). Considering that the times of death are less than 24 hours after
immediate alcohol consumption, we can conclude accidents could increase after immediate use
of cannabis, because the brain is stimulated the same way.
On the other hand, others might argue that the legalization of marijuana will affect the
public health in a positive manner. Marijuana has already been legalized in twenty-three states
for medical purpose. Claims, state that cannabis is used to reduce nausea and committing during
chemotherapy, to improve appetite in people with HIV/AIDS, treatment of chronic pain, and
helping with muscle spasms (Drug Facts: Is Marijuana Medicine 2). Although studies prove
that marijuana can be used as a medicine because it contains THC (marijuana main mind-altering
ingredient). However, some prescription drugs like dronabinol and nabilone have already been
used as modern medicine since approval of the FDA in 1985 (Dronabinol 2). Not to mention,
these drugs have the same concentrations of THC chemicals (cannabinoids), which help pain,
muscle stiffness, nausea, and lack of appetite in Multiple Sclerosis, AIDS, and cancer patients.

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(Prescription Drug & Cold Medicines 2). Moreover, these drugs do not have deadly side
effects if consumed. If marijuana is used as a modern medicine, instead of checking people out
of the hospital, it will check people in.
Marijuana is an illegal drug that has been popular for decades. As Bob Marley would say
dont worry about a thing, because every little thing is going to be alright. Ironically there is
something to be worrying about, and every little thing is not going to be alright in the distant
future. With the wave of legalization of recreational use of the cannabis plant, people should be
aware that negative health effects will increase in the near future, among United States citizens.
One can assume that diagnostics of smoke-affiliated cancers, cardiovascular diseases, driving
fatalities, will increase. I propose this because when cannabis is consumed, the body reacts the
same or undergoes similar side effects whether alcohol or tobacco are consumed. So as the three
little birds would say, this is my message to you.