The first law covering marijuana in America required farmers to grow hemp in the year 1619 for clothing, rope and other materials, but “as early as 1840, doctors recognized the medical applications of marijuana, and the drug was sold freely in pharmacies for over a century.” (Ricco and Stingl). In 1937, the use and possession of marijuana was made illegal, but “prior to 1937, marijuana was freely bought, sold, grown, and used” (Rich and Stingl). In 1970 congress decided to classify marijuana as a schedule one drug, which made legalization more difficult, “schedule one drugs are considered dangerous, addictive, and have no medical benefits” (Rich and Stingl). Marijuana falls under the schedule one drug classification because it is dangerous to people's health, has been found to be addictive when used daily, and also has no medical benefits because marijuana can cause more health problems than it can cure. Recreational marijuana should not be legalized because of the numerous negative health effects it has on a person. Marijuana has a great effect on the lungs, and when marijuana is smoked it can cause lung damage. Marijuana smoke contains carcinogenic substances. “Smoking marijuana can cause large pockets of air, called bubbles, to form. Blisters normally form in young marijuana smokers (under 45 years old)” (Drake and Slatore). Marijuana smoke contains the same harmful chemicals found in tobacco products, and because of this, marijuana smokers develop lung damage. The fact that marijuana smokers hold smoke in their lungs longer than tobacco smokers and that there are no filters in bongs, bowls, blunts or joints means there is no safe way to smoke marijuana. Are blunts the wrapping of a cigar filled with marijuana, a... medium of paper... do they have any health effects?" WebMD, Web MD Health New, n.d. Web February 2, 2014. Drake, Matthew G. and Christopher G . Slatore. “Smoking Marijuana and the Lungs.” American Thoracic Society: The Science of Abuse and Drug Addiction. NIH and Web. February 4, 2014.Ricco, Alex K. Stingl, Alexander. “Marijuana Legalization: An Overview.” Marijuana Legalization (2013):1 view. Network. 4 February 2014United States. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Drug and Human Performance Fact Sheets. Washington, DC: Washington StateWright, George Newton, Heather ”. Viewpoints: Legalization of Marijuana (2013): Reference Center of 2 Viewpoints. Network. February 4 2014