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I agree that legalized marijuana should be under strict governmental…
I agree that legalized marijuana should be under strict governmental control
Opinions
Public
(Stringer)
In a 2015 Gallup Poll, it was found that 58% of Americans favored legalization of marijuana. P8
(Hoffman)
Mr. Hoffman suggests that prohibition against marijuana is perhaps not worth the cost of its
enforcement
It’s important to look thoroughly at the reason why people are using marijuana. Some use it to get high,
while others use it for medical reasons.
(Schmidt)
A study was done which looked at 10 years of data from US National Survey on Drug Use and Health
from 2004 to 2013 to learn if youth were less concerned with the risks of using marijuana as state laws
began increasing allowing the usage of the drug. P1500
Results of this study showed that young people in all age groups were less concerned about marijuana
risks on a weekly basis. P1500
Media
(Stringer)
Media in the 1930s described marijuana as more dangerous and more deadly of a drug than opium,
morphine and heroin. The 1930s was considered the Reefer Madness error when marijuana was first
outlawed. P1
Media has a great impact on public opinion especially since it is known to portray the worst case
scenarios and exaggerating news. P 2
Media is now focusing on the
various medicinal uses of marijuana, the legalization of marijuana at the state levels, and public figures
admitting they have used the drug before. P2
(Schmidt)
Young people today access information on the Internet including social media, and they have more
access to the legalizing marijuana debate across the nation. So regardless if youth lived in a state where
marijuana was legal, their views about the risks of marijuana were similar across state lines. P 1502.
Harmful Effects
DUI (Sayers)
His alcohol level was five times the legal limit
Quotation: Alicia Smiley said that “Erdley was speeding in his Chevrolet Impala southbound on Third Street Road when he lost control and struck a parked vehicle. The car spun out into the parking lot where it struck the nine pedestrians and another car.”
He admitted to drinking and smoking marijuana before his car accident
Quotation: “After he was read his rights, he admitted to drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana at 6 p.m. on Saturday. He fell asleep several times in the back of the police car on the way to Metro Corrections and had slurred speech. Officers also found three Xanax pills while performing a pat down search.”
43 year old Chad Erdley killed two people can injured seven people in a car accident
("Legalization")
The D.E.A. was convinced that marijuana negatively affects memory, lowers IQ, and triggers psychosis.
Marijuana has also been linked to cardiovascular problems. P7
(Jaques)
Marijuana can cross the blood-brain barrier and also transplacental membranes and there is concern for
the unborn child as it becomes an adolescent. Concerns include aggressive behaviors and
neuropsychological problems. P417
A large study of 10 year olds born whose mothers used marijuana during pregnancy showed significant
increase of depressive symptoms and attention problems. However, there is no firm correlation with
psychiatric problems such as psychosis. P421
(Pratt)
Ingestion of edible marijuana products can cause cannabinoid hyperemesis which causes cyclical vomiting. P157
(Onders)
Children are at risk of having clinical effects such as intoxication to seizures, comas or respiratory problems. P 428
("Drugs")
Some short term effects include problems with memory, distorted perception, difficulty in thinking, and loss of coordination 72
Long term effects lead to physical dependence and withdrawal when not using it anymore 72
Effects include: 1. Dizziness, nausea, facial flushing, and dry mouth. 2. Merriment, happiness, and exhilaration at high doses. 3. Relaxation, increased sociability, and talkativeness. 72
Marijuana can cause time distortions, illusions/hallucinations at high doses, impaired judgment, and increase appetite. 73
Effects on the body include blood shot eyes, increased heart rate, and decreased blood pressure 73
Marijuana smokers have an increased risk of having cancer of the head, neck, and lungs 73
(Vargo)
Intoxication of marijuana can cause anxiety, dizziness, dry mouth, increased appetite, laughetr,
relaxation and talkativeness. P41
Smoking marijuana can cause dental problems such as oral infections or gum disease. P42
Research has shown reproductive problems in both men and women. Men’s sperm count was lowered
and there was ovulation problems in women. P42
(Stringer)
Common theme in medical journals in the 1930s linked marijuana to violence and sexual impulses,
delirious rage, mental deterioration and insanity. This created a distorted impression of the effects of
marijuana use. P3
Marijuana Characteristics
(Stringer)
Marijuana use has become more mainstreamed and affects all demographic categories. P13
(Gettman)
Marijuana differs from alcohol and tobacco because it is easy to grow and does not require industrial
processing. It can be produced anywhere and by anyone. It can be grown in closets, backyards and
warehouses. P3
You don’t need any technology to grow marijuana, but if it was legalized, technology could help improve
the amount of production made. P3
("Regulating")
Marijuana is becoming the most widely used illegal drug in America.
("Legalization")
When a person consumes marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the ingredient in the drug that
affects the brain in areas that affect movement, memory, thinking, concentration and appetite. P7
(Hoffman)
Lotions are infused with CDB that are absorbed through the skin so people cannot get high.
(Vargo)
Marijuana has been used in medicine worldwide for thousands of years. P40
Cannabinoid receptors were discovered in the central and peripheral nervous systems in the early
1990s, which caused new interest in looking at potential therapeutic values of marijuana. P40
Approximately 60 cannibinoids are in marijuana, and the two most important are the
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) - the most psychoactive one, and the cannabidiol (CBD)- lacks any
psychoactive effects. P40
(Jaques)
The forms and strengths of the THC depend on what part of the marijuana plant used. Plants are
categorized according to the amount of THC or the ratio of THC/CBD they contain. P418
Cannabis may be inhaled by smoking or through a water pipe or ingested if in food and drinks. P418
("Drugs")
Marijuana can influence pleasure, memory, thought, concertation, sensory and time perception, and movement 72
Marijuana can be smoked as a cigarette without the tobacco and filled with marijuana 72
Health Benefits
(Hoffman)
Some dispensaries contain non-hallucinogenic cannabidiol (CBD) oil that is made from marijuana with
little THC. CBD oil is used to help with epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, sleep issues, and muscle and joint
pain.
(Vargo)
Marijuana use has been recommended for Chemotherapy-associated vomiting, glaucoma, and multiple
sclerosis. P40
Large studies on marijuana’s help with seizure disorder are lacking with humans, but there are case
reports saying it has helped. P44
("Drugs")
Quotation: “Marinol, a synthetic version of THC, the active ingredient found in marijuana, can be prescribed for the control of nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of cancer and to stimulate appetite in AIDS patients.” 73
(Stringer)
Research shows that many doctors favor legalization of medicinal marijuana. As long as medical
marijuana continues to be legal in more states and used for cancer, epilepsy and other problems, the
media coverage is likely to also increase. P4
(Titus)
Justin became addicted to the prescription drugs that the doctor prescribed and died from an overdose
at age 27. P46
Veterans are usually given opioids to help their PTSD, but they easily become addicted to them, and
some overdose and commit suicide as a result. The Federal government will not give them medical
marijuana. P45
The number of veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is high. 31% of Vietnam Vets, 10% of
Gulf War vets, 11% of those who served in Afghanistan, and 20% of Iraq War vets have PTSD. P45
Quotation: Danielle Floyd, mother of a Iraq War veteran Justin Bailey who suffers from PTSD, said about her son,
“He came back saying, ‘Mom, I shot women and children. I can’t deal with this.’” P46
Research Needed for Additional Benefits
Justin’s father, Tony Bailey, said about his son’s death, “My son made a decision to get help, and they
didn’t help him. They gave him the bullet.” P46 (Titus)
Because marijuana is a Schedule 1 drug, there has been little research on the benefits of medical
marijuana for veterans with PTSD.p52 (Titus)
(Riggs)
Research has shown that marijuana is use to treat anxiety, depression, and suicidal behavior in young adults. P617
Regulation Considerations
("Regulating")
Marijuana should have warning labels to show how much content of marijuana is in a certain sample, similar to labeling alcohol content on bottles.
Potency varies based on the type of marijuana and because the drug can be exposed to environmental factors
Advertising by retailers need to be looked at and highly examined by communities with African Americans and poverty
Quotation: “A strict, rigorous response to commercial sales of marijuana should focus on access to and availability of the drug among adolescents, informing and protecting consumers, and protecting third parties from potential consequences of marijuana use.”
Quotation: “Advertising and information restrictions along with required disclosures such as warning labels may be viewed as government interference with the protected right to free speech.”
Regulation of commercial marijuana actually can look out for the public’s health safety.
(Onders)
Because more states are considering legalizing marijuana, provisions are needed to minimize the risk of children being exposed to it. Currently, marijuana does not fall under any federal mandates to be in child-resistant packaging. 434
(Pratt)
Quotation: Panelists from the Colorado Department of Health included Mike Van Dyke, PhD who stated that, “ Overnight, we went from a place where we treated marijuana the same as all other illicit drugs to having to deal with marijuana in the public health realm in terms of education, prevention, and monitoring.” P156
More edible products being made with marijuana that are packaged to look like candy items so more kids are going to get into them. The risks of edible products should be communicated on packaging. P157
(Titus)
These states have programs that have similarities with respect to medical marijuana, including a doctor
must recommend the drug for use in treating a medical condition. P41
Most states require a person to register and have a user identification card that limits the amount of
medical marijuana you can have over time. P41
(Jaques)
Mothers should be advised not to smoke the drug during pregnancy and around the child once born.
P421
(Annas)
Based on the 1 st amendment, doctors are allowed to have doctor-patient communication and can speak
freely with their patients about the potential medical risk and benefits that medical marijuana may have
p984.
(Gettman)
Prohibition also produces a black market where people are potentially making a high profit on their
sales. P6
Legalizing marijuana help prevent young people from accessing it by only making it legal at age 21. P8
The prohibition of marijuana does not produce a tax revenue. Instead of benefits it creates costs
because there is so much law enforcement needed to enforce the prohibition. P6
To determine public policy in legalizing marijuana, regulations should enhance the protective factors and
minimize the risk factors in using marijuana. This objective should be more important than the tax
revenue goals. Regulations should include what age and identification should be required for purchase,
record keeping, marking and advertising restrictions, health warnings and packaging requirements and
labeling standards. P3
Marijuana Classifications
("Schedules")
Drugs are separated into 5 different categories based on their medical use and abuse potential
Schedule 1 drugs have high abuse, while schedule 5 has lowest
Schedule 1 drugs are drugs with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse
Some schedule 1 drugs are heroin, LSD, marijuana, ecstasy, and meth
("Marijuana")
Federal law classes marijuana as a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance. Therefore, it is a crime to grow, sell and possess the drug.P2
Schedule drugs are controlled by the Controlled Substance Act. P2
The sentence for possessing it can be as severe as a$1000 fine and up to a year in prison. Penalty for growing and distributing it can range from 5 years up to life in prison. P3
Federal Laws
("Marijuana")
The Department of Justice is not required to prosecute every violation of the Controlled Substance Act. It also lacks the people to do so. P5
These memoranda tell Federal prosecutors not to spend their time and resources on individuals who are obeying their state laws for use of medical marijuana. P5
Department of Justice takes the position that they will not intervene in states which have their own laws and strictly enforce them. P5
Federal prosecutors are more focused on preventing distribution of marijuana to children, sales are not going to gangs and drug cartels, driving under the influence of marijuana, growing marijuana on public lands and possessing or using marijuana on Federal property. P5
(Gettman)
Quotation: Prohibition has failed through the inability to control the production of marijuana. Betsy Woodruff from
the National Review stated , “A big part of the problem is that the federal government has a law that it
can’t enforce.” P7
Quotation:Ethan Nadelmann, Executive Director of the Drug Policy Alliance, stated that “Any model for legally
regulating cannabis production and distribution must be compared not just with an idea scenario but
with the realities of contemporary cannabis prohibition.” P3
(Titus)
Quotation: Loretta Lynch, Attorney General for President Obama, stated in her January 2015 confirmation hearing,
“it is not the position of the Department of Justice currently to support legalization, nor would it be the
position if I were confirmed as attorney general.” P43
Various senators including Kentucky Senator Rand Paul introduced a bill in Congress in March 2015 that
would move marijuana to a Schedule II drug and also prevent prosecution of people who were following
their state laws. P44
State Laws
(Vargo)
State laws vary from state to state, and some don’t require a doctors to review the risks and benefits
associated with marijuana use. P41
(Titus)
California was the first state to pass medical marijuana in 1996. P40
39 states and the District of Columbia have legalized some form of medical marijuana. P41
These states have programs that have similarities with respect to medical marijuana, including a doctor
must recommend the drug for use in treating a medical condition. P41
Most states require a person to register and have a user identification card that limits the amount of
medical marijuana you can have over time. P41
("Marijuana")
Colorado and Washington have laws now that allow for growing, distributing and possessing marijuana. P 3.
Some state laws only require a doctor’s recommendation rather than a prescription for marijuana. Pharmacies do not dispense it as a result since there is no prescription. A doctor can recommend marijuana based on a list of medical conditions. Typically the patient is not allowed to use the marijuana in public. P3
The state of Washington allows people over 21 year old to possess up to 1 ounce of dried marijuana, 16 ounces of a marijuana infused product in solid form, or 72 ounces of marijuana infused product in liquid form. Use of it must not be in public, only private. You still cannot drive under the influence of marijuana. P4
Distributors of marijuana in Washington also have to pay an excise tax of 25% of their selling price. The retailer selling the marijuana also has to pay the same excise tax of their selling price to their consumers. P4
Colorado law allows anyone over 21 years of age to possess, use, and transport one ounce of marijuana and also process up to 6 marijuana plants for personal use. P4
Colorado passed a 15% excise tax that would help fun public school capital construction and a 10% sales tax that would help pay for the enforcement of the marijuana regulations. P4
After Colorado legalized medical marijuana, it changed from being a very healthy state to one that had many young adults in need of medical treatment. P5
("D.C.")
70% of voters in D.C. approved Initiative 71, which legalized the possession and cultivation of small amounts of marijuana. P13
Government Monopoly vs Marketplace Sales
(Gettman)
Those against having a government monopoly say just place a high enough sales tax on it to keep the price high and this could also lower consumption. P2
Having a high tax on marijuana would help bring in revenue to the states. P2
Government monopoly would also keep the prices high so less people would want to consume it. P2
Based on Uniform Crime Reporting Data, there would be high participation rate of buying on the open market because the data shows over 76,000 arrests for marijuana users in 2012. P2
Support exists for having a government monopoly on marijuana vs letting private companies sell it in the open market to prevent minors/youth from accessing it and protecting public health. P2
Marketplace participation seems high also based on reports from NSDUH showing an annual average of 4.6 million people selling illegal drugs and marijuana was most popular. P2
Some academics and policy officials want to tighten controls vs having a legal marijuana market. P2
Debate is also whether you can grow marijuana for personal use – the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reported a 131% increase in personal use cultivators between 2003 and 2013. P3
Some support having the marketplace dictate how much needs to be grown, distributed and sold as well as growing it for personal use. P2
If marijuana was legally sold on the open market, illegal markets would be driven out. Even strict federal laws haven’t reduced the number of illegal users. P5
Conclusion/Personal Opinion
More and more states are passing legalized marijuana, especially for medical use. Others are for recreational use. States set rules on age restrictions, the amount you can consume, labeling, etc. that are similar from state to state.
Federal government still classifies marijuana as an illegal drug, and many officials do not agree with its legalization, however, state governments are passing laws but keeping strict control over its production and use. States are also benefiting nicely from tax revenue from sales of marijuana.
Even though marijuana has harmful effects if not properly used, it is being used for various medical reasons. There is much more research needed to explore many other potential health benefits. If it was legal at the federal level with strict government controls, more research could be conducted over time and possibly more illnesses could be treated.
A government monopoly on marijuana production is not the best way to prevent youth/minors from buying or accessing it. Having strong legal control over it at state level but having the open market dictate how much to be grown and sold is the better option. The government (both federal and state ) can enforce marijuana use laws and how it’s sold in the open market similar to they do for alcohol sales. (e.g., age restrictions, strict labeling and warnings). Having open market to sell marijuana legally would also help with state tax revenue. This money could help fund what the state government needs to enforce the legalization of marijuana.
Media can play a critical role in helping educate the public about the strict laws about production and use, as well as public health and safety information.