n the long and never-ending battle between the government and the antiauthority sentimentalists who fight back and forth about the harmful effects and lack thereof coming from the abuse of marijuana. The roots of this controversy are the addictive properties of the drug, and the "gateway" drug theory. Though some contend with evidence that there is very little or no physical addiction attributed to marijuana use, the mental addiction that occurs is profound. Also, one of the original and most important reasons it is thought to be dangerous comes from the belief that is a "gateway" drug, leading users to harder and more addictive drugs in search of a better high. One reason users move onto harder drugs is the difficulty and time involved in ridding the body of traces of marijuana compared to other drugs. Speaking on drug tests in the workplace, the NORML states, "...a worker who consumed marijuana one month earlier-on the weekend-could test positive while someone who used cocaine three days earlier-on the job-could test negative." (Cozic ed., 67). Another reason marijuana leads its users to harder drugs is contributed to by its illegal status. Since it cannot be obtained through regulated and legitimate sources, users are forced to familiarize themselves with the underground black market of drug dealers. Most of these dealers also handle those previously mentioned harder drugs, making them as readily available as marijuana.
             As Jason is breaking up his stash to roll in a cigarette, called a joint, he thinks to himself that "this is some good weed." This thought is brought on by the absence of seeds. Someone growing marijuana with the intention of selling it for intoxication purposes will eliminate the male plants to prevent the pollination of the females and thus stop the production of seeds before it begins. Marijuana made from the female flowers raised in isolation from male ...