Category: Cannabis/Medical Marijuana

Introduction

• I. Have you ever driven down a gravel road?
  • a. You can see it, but you might not even know what it is.
  • b. There are a lot of different kinds along the road so don’t get them confused.
• II. The truth is that most assume It’s bad, but I strongly disagree as It’s a plant!
• III. I’ve learned some beneficial information about this plant and its effects.
• IV. Today I’m going to inform you on why I think marijuana should be legal at a national level but also some rules that should be in place while using it.
• (Transition: Let’s start with the rules that should be in place while using marijuana.)

Body

• I. While under the influence of marijuana, there should be some ground laws just like under the influence of alcohol.
  • A. While the legal age to drink alcohol is 21 in Missouri and most other states, I believe marijuana should have the same age limit on it as well.
    • 1. Anyone under the influence wouldn’t be able to operate a motor vehicle just like alcohol.
    • 2. No one gets to drink at work, right? The same goes for the use of marijuana.
    • 3. I also don’t think it’s appropriate to be under the influence of marijuana all day every day. It’s more of a take here when need type of thing. I know others will probably use it for other reasons, and that’s okay if they follow the rules along with it.
  • B. It also wouldn’t be appropriate to be under the influence of marijuana while having children in your care.
    • 1. If you were to have to be under the influence while a child or children are in your care such a person would need to make sure a responsible adult is around to take care of them.
    • 2. It’s my understanding that a lot of people take or would take to help with sleeping, again that would be fine just to make sure another adult is around in case of an emergency.
  • C. Marijuana is nothing to be left out to wear a young child or young adult could reach, the owner would need to take responsibility in making sure whatever form they may have is put up and away at all times.
    • 1. I also believe this is something that should only be done at your own home and isn’t something that needs to be packed around everywhere you go.
    • 2. Unless you’re going out of town for some reason and wouldn’t be back home for a few days or so and would need it for medical reasons.
  • (Transition: Now ill move forward on some beneficial information and why lots of people around the world would benefit from the use of marijuana.)
• II. This will be a topic where some agree and some disagree and that’s okay, I just wanted to state why I do agree with this topic.
  • A. As stated in “What are the health benefits and risks of cannabis.” According to the national institutes of Health, people have used marijuana, or cannabis to treat their ailments for at least the last 3,000 years. However, the Food and Drug Administration has not deemed marijuana safe or effective in the treatment of any medical condition, although cannabidiol, a substance that is in marijuana, received approval in June 2018 as a treatment for some types of epilepsy.
    • 1. As stated in “What are the health benefits and risks of cannabis.” Over the years, research has yielded results to suggest that marijuana may be of benefit in the treatment of some conditions.
      • a. As stated in “What are the health benefits and risks of cannabis.” These are some of the conditions chronic pain, alcoholism and drug addiction, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety, cancer, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, mental health problems, testicular cancer, and respiratory disease.
      • b. As stated in “What are the health benefits and risks of cannabis.” There is evidence that demonstrates both the harms and health benefits of marijuana. Yet despite the emergence over the past couple of years of very comprehensive, up-to-date reviews of the scientific studies evaluating the benefits and harms of the drug, it’s clear that more research is needed to fully determine the public health implications of rising marijuana use.
  • B. From “Medical Marijuana: Know the Facts.” Medical marijuana has been approved in 28 states and the District of Columbia, but researchers are still trying to connect the dots as to how, and if, it works.
  • C. Stated from “Medical Marijuana: Know the Facts.” Marijuana is derived from the Cannabis sativa plant. It contains more than 100 chemical compounds, called cannabinoids. When ingested or inhaled, these compounds bind to specific receptors in brain and nerve cells, which slows pain impulses and eases discomfort. The two most prevalent compounds are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — which is what gives people a ‘high’.
  • D. Coming from “Marijuana as Medicine.” THC can increase appetite and reduce nausea. THC may also decrease pain, inflammation (swelling and redness), and muscle control problems.
  • E. States from “Marijuana as Medicine.” Unlike THC, CBD is a cannabinoid that doesn’t make people ‘high.’ These drugs aren’t popular for recreational use because they aren’t intoxicating. It may be useful in reducing pain and inflammation, controlling epileptic seizures, and possibly even treating mental illness and addictions. The FDA approved a CBD-based liquid medication called Epidiolex.

Conclusion

• I. While it’s not 100 percent proven to be safe, there is a study showing it can help, I truly believe once the proper testing is done it will be approved nationwide and be completely legal.
• II. I know this topic isn’t for everyone and most people will completely disagree with me and that’s okay because we are all untiled to our own options, but I hope this helps someone look more clearly on the topic.
• III. If you happen to suffer from anything from the list above, please check with your doctor and see if this way is a fit for you or someone you love.

Bibliography

1. Harvard Health Publishing. “Medical Marijuana: Know the Facts.” Harvard Health, www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/medical-marijuana-know-the-facts.
2. National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Marijuana as Medicine.” NIDA, www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana-medicine.
3. “What Are the Health Benefits and Risks of Cannabis?” Google, Google, www.google.com/amp/s/www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/amp/320984.

Marijuana, we all have an idea of what it is, what it does, and how illegal it is. But did you know there have been absolutely no deaths recorded from the usage of marijuana according to the book, Drugs of Abuse (2017)? Marijuana, according to Medicine Net “is a recreational drug that comes from the hemp plant cannabis sativa. For years, marijuana has been considered a destructible herb that jeopardizes the lives of many and is perceived to be an additional issue in today’s society, however, based on the development in the medical field and the monetary value associated with marijuana, the legalization of marijuana will in fact result in more good than harm. The legalization of marijuana will eventually result in more good than harm because marijuana has been proven to have medical properties in the Health Care System and it has great potential to contribute to economic growth through a thriving industry that can create jobs.

The legalization of marijuana will eventually result in more good than harm because it has been proven to have medical properties in the Health Care System. Do you suffer from chronic pain, epilepsy, or other sicknesses? If so, you may want to consider marijuana. People generally associate marijuana with ‘drugs’, ‘narcotists’, and ‘devastation’ however, marijuana has its buried good side. According to Railton (2018), “A large review from the (NASEM) assessed more than 10,000 scientific studies on the medical benefits and adverse effects of marijuana and found that marijuana, or products containing cannabinoids are effective at relieving chronic pain”. I cannot imagine how dreadful it must be to experience persistent, perpetual, permanent pain, but marijuana can help to relieve the discomfort. “In June 2018, the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of a medication containing cannabidiol (CBD) to treat two rare, severe, and specific types of epilepsy that are difficult to control with other types of medication” (Railton, 2018). Another beneficial impact that might emerge from the legalization of marijuana is a decrease in opiate consumption which can lead to addiction and ultimately death. According to a study published in the American Public Health Association, “Since Colorado has legalized recreational cannabis, the percentage of opioid-related deaths has declined by 6.5% which halted a 14-year trend of an increasing number of opioid-related deaths in the state”(Williams, 2017). Like Colorado, the legalization of marijuana in Jamaica will eventually do more good than harm as it relates to Health Care.

The legalization of marijuana will eventually result in better than harm because it has great potential to contribute to economic growth through a thriving industry that can create jobs. The economic benefits that producers and consumers would receive are numerous. Both the job creation and the tax revenue that could be generated would make the government a main benefactor. According to (Cox, 2019), “The marijuana industry added 64,389 jobs in 2018, a 44 percent gain, according to industry experts Leafly and Whitney Economics”. Not only does the legalization of marijuana aid in job creation, but it also contributes vastly to the tourism industry which inevitably will eventually create economic growth. “In 2015, 85% of the 8% who visited a dispensary cited legal marijuana as the driving force behind their vacation which implies that at least some of the improved economic impact being witnessed in Colorado is the result of legal marijuana”(Williams, 2015). In addition, the tax revenue that can be generated from marijuana if or when it becomes legalized can be utilized to fund humanitarian projects for those that are poverty-stricken or underprivileged. For example, according to (Chung, Ajilore & Perez 2019) “In Washington, marijuana sales surpassed $1 billion in FY 2017, the state collected $314.8 million in excise tax revenue and the revenue was primarily used to fund Medicaid which secured health insurance for many low-income Washington residents”. Like Colorado and Washington, the legalization of marijuana will eventually do more good than harm as it relates to contributing to economic growth.

Viewed from a different perspective, there are some individuals who argue that the legalization of marijuana will be more harm than good as it is addictive and its legalization will increase the usage among people as it will be readily available. These claims are respectively supported by (Stimson 2012) who believes that “Marijuana is an addictive, gateway drug” and (Barbradozier 2014) who argues that “there is a high chance that marijuana’s legalization will increase its usage among people as it will be readily available”.

While these claims may be true, the opposing view that the legalization of marijuana will result in more harm than good because it is addictive and its legalization will increase the usage among people as it will be readily available is simplistic and impractical for many reasons. Marijuana opponents claim marijuana should be illegal because it is a perceived gateway drug and its usage will increase as a result of the drug being more accessible. While this is an enthralling argument, it is no reason for marijuana to be illegal. First of all, is marijuana even a gateway drug? A ‘gateway’ drug according to the Cambridge English Dictionary is defined as “a drug whose use may make it more likely that someone uses other, more dangerous”. Based on research, (Szalavitz, 2019) “there is no conclusive evidence that the drug effects of marijuana are causally linked to the subsequent abuse of other illicit drugs”. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (2019), “the majority of people who use marijuana do not go on to use other, ‘harder’ substances”. While it may be true that the legalization of marijuana will allow for it to be more accessible it will result in more good than harm because it would help to minimize the amount of illegal sales from ‘street drug dealers’. For example, according to the article ‘Does marijuana legalization lead to increased use? (n.d.)’, “When it comes to use by young people, experts have found that in the majority of states that have approved medical marijuana, usage has actually decreased which is due to a diminished “forbidden fruit” effect and decreased access to marijuana as it moves from the unregulated street to inside licensed dispensaries. Therefore one can now determine that the opposing view that the legalizing of marijuana will result in more harm than good is simplistic and impractical for the reasons stated.

It is vivid that there are arguments for whether or not marijuana’s legalization will do more good than harm however the arguments supporting the claim that the legalization of marijuana will eventually result in more good than harm clearly outweigh the counterarguments. Legalizing marijuana may just be the missing piece to the puzzle as it relates to health care and may just be what is needed to expand the economy. Remember now there are no recorded deaths associated with marijuana therefore according to German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, “That which does not kill us, makes us stronger”.

To Criminalize or Decriminalize Marijuana

Marijuana, also known as cannabis is considered one of the most controversial topics of the last two centuries. Cannabis has remained on the banned substance list since the era of prohibition but has garnered support from marijuana users across the globe. According to the National Institute of Health, people have used cannabis for over 3,000 years to treat personal ailments (Railton). Surprisingly, not only does marijuana provide outstanding medical benefits, states that have legalized the so-called “illicit drug” have noticed a substantial boost to their economy. However, whether for recreational or medicinal purposes, individuals can still be prosecuted under Federal law, even in states where it is legal to consume (Lusk Paul Wilson 3).

What is the big push to legalize marijuana? For starters, cannabis is known to alleviate chronic pain and illness. According to a Clinical Psychology Review published in 2017, it revealed that cannabis may help with alcoholism, drug addiction, cancer, depression, and PTSD (Railton). From an economic perspective, there was no way to regulate the sale of cannabis in the past. Additionally, there are federal laws in place that hinder research abilities. Currently, there are roughly 23 states that have legalized cannabis for medical purposes and have sought ways to tax newcomers investing in the cannabis business. The benefit of legalizing cannabis is that it’s less harmful than doctor-prescribed medication. More and more people are hospitalized every year from the harmful side effects of prescribed drugs. There are three additional ways that cannabis can have a positive impact on the economy: a decrease in crime due to a reduction in criminal activity, increased tax revenue, and law enforcement will spend less time enforcing archaic cannabis laws (Maier et al. 126).

Medical cannabis has provided an avenue for individuals to have power over their own health by using a less-harmful drug. There are still concerns about the massive push to legalize cannabis. FDA has not amended or removed cannabis from the illegal substance list for recreational use altogether. Individuals with disabilities that are at a higher risk of developing substance use disorders or have ailments that can be treated using cannabis, could pose a challenge to vocational rehabilitation counselors (Lusk et al. 4). The question remains: Why is there limited research pertaining to cannabis? According to WebMD, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) still considers cannabis a Schedule I drug, claiming it is similar to heroin, and lacks medical value (WebMD). Second, Goldenberg asserts that long-term use of cannabis affects the development of the brain, especially in young teenagers; hallucinations, temporary paranoia, depression, suicide, and schizophrenia (19). While the scheduling of the drug is correct, the other two claims cannot be supported due to a lack of proper research. Dr. Marcel Bonn-Miller, substance abuse specialist at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, summarizes that researchers require a special license to study cannabis/cannabinoids (WebMD).

The cannabis industry is expected to surpass the pharmaceutical industry, as fewer people are taking to prescribed medication. Analysts and researchers alike claim that big pharma’s prices are just way too high and costly for the average patient. CBD extracts are effective, provide an unpatentable advantage, and will open a billion-dollar industry of profit (Miller Cannabis Investors). CBD extracts, from the cannabis flower, are said to retain all terpenes; compared to the CBD isolates big pharma use in their drugs. On a global scale, the cannabis industry is expected to reach over $20 billion in sales by 2020 (Weimert). Brilmayer claims that usually, federal law trumps state law in any case; however, state decriminalization law is pro-cannabis and federal law is anti-cannabis so where is the line drawn? (904). State laws that coincide with federal laws concerning cannabis are cut and dry and come with prosecution and penalties. The states whose laws are different undermine federal laws and are left to the discretion of the state. On the other hand, there are hundreds, if not thousands of studies, that found cannabis to be detrimental to one’s health. Mental health problems, testicular cancer, and respiratory disease are all tied to cannabis use, according to (Railton Medical News Today). Each individual has a unique tolerance level and cases are different. Negative views of marijuana use claim to see a rise in unemployment, homelessness, addiction, and even a gateway drug. There are claims that if cannabis users go through withdrawal, they could become irritable, leading to more violent behavior; however, there is not enough empirical data to prove this to be true (Maier et al. 128).

Conclusion.

As evidence point to both the health benefits and harmful effects of cannabis, it remains and is clear that more research is necessary to determine the implications of cannabis use. American Cancer Society, for instance, supports the need for further research on the use of cannabinoids in treating medical conditions (Railton, Medical News Today). To legalize cannabis, state and federal laws must be clear and concise while limiting confusion between law enforcement and regulations that govern illegal substances. While doctors can prescribe medical marijuana, they need to be mindful that cannabis affects each individual differently. Patients with a mental health history should consult a physician before partaking in the use of cannabis. Researchers at the University of Colorado found that %75 of teenagers were treated for marijuana misuse initially intended for adults (Goldenberg 23). Is it possible that teenagers miscalculate the recommended dosage for cannabis intake? Quite possible. This could be the same concept as alcohol, where the recommended age is 21. Researchers have tried to link cannabis use with crime but there is not enough evidence to support this claim; however, Denver and Washington, for instance, made cannabis use (recreationally/medically) available to their population in 2014 and saw a significant decrease in property crime and violent crime during 2010-2014 (Maier et al. 133).

Works Cited

1. Brilmayer, Lea. “GENERAL THEORY OF PREEMPTION: WITH COMMENTS ON STATE DECRIMINALIZATION OF MARIJUANA.” Boston College. Law School. Boston College Law Review, vol. 58, no. 3, Boston College School of Law, Jan. 2017, pp. 895–927, http://search.proquest.com/docview/1939215873/.
2. Goldenberg, Sol. “Decriminalization of Marijuana: Gateway to Substance Abuse?” AMT Events, vol. 34, no. 1, American Medical Technologies, Mar. 2017, pp. 18–19,23, http://search.proquest.com/docview/1900031177/.
3. Lusk, Stephanie, et al. “The Potential Impact of the Legalization and Decriminalization of Marijuana on the Vocational Rehabilitation Process. Why the Buzz?” Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, vol. 46, no. 2, National Rehabilitation Counseling Association, July 2015, pp. 3–12, http://search.proquest.com/docview/1689359204/.
4. Maier, Shana L, et al. “The Implications of Marijuana Decriminalization and Legalization on Crime in the United States.” Contemporary Drug Problems, vol. 44, no. 2, Sage Publications Ltd., June 2017, pp. 125–46, doi:10.1177/0091450917708790.
5. Miller, Greg. “Latest Research Proves CBD Extracts Massively Outperform Big Pharma’s Solution.” NICI_Investors, National Institute of Cannabis Investors, 5 Feb. 2019, nicinvestors.com/2019/02/06/latest-research-proves-CBD-extracts-massively-outperform-big-pharma-solution/
6. Railton, David. “What Are the Health Benefits and Risks of Cannabis?” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 2 Aug. 2018, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320984.php.
7. Weimert, Kelly. “How Much Does It Really Cost to Open a Dispensary?” CannabisFN, TDM Financial, 28 Aug. 2017, www.cannabisfn.com/much-really-cost-open-dispensary/.

Marijuana is not just something that you smoke, it’s also used to brew tea, as a medicinal, and it’s also frequently mixed into food such as cookies, brownies, or candies.

Marijuana has a lot of chemical substances and the most psychoactive is THC: delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. THC, which is known as the most active ingredient in cannabis, is able to improve both negative and positive effects on those who use it. A small dose of cannabis produces euphoria, sedation, relaxation, and drowsiness; these effects are similar to those listed by alcohol. At high doses THC produces hallucinogenic effects: the increase in heart rate, more consistent in the first 10–20 minutes after which it drops rapidly; the pressure increases when the person is sitting and decreases when standing causing weakness and dizziness; conjunctival redness, while the pupil diameter does not undergo modifications; dry mouth (mouth and throat dry out); a sense of hunger that is given by the stimulation of cannabinoids of the appetite center and the system of gratification: eating becomes particularly tasty, enjoyable.

The legality of cannabis varies from country to country, depending on the distribution and the process of cultivation.

In 1937 with the Marijuana Tax Act passed by President Roosevelt, the plant marijuana was banned in the United States for the first time. After that, however, some states legalized cannabis. In 1996, California was the first state to legalize it just for therapeutic purposes, for example: to relieve chronic pain, and to counteract nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy, radiotherapy HIV and AIDS.

Nowadays in 8 (or more) US states cannabis is legalized. Apparently, against all expectations, the use of drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, or narcotics, by american teenagers seems diminished, to say it is a study conducted by U.S. “National Institute on Drug Abuse”. Only 5% of 17 years old admitted to smoking cigarettes every day, while 20 years ago the percentage was 22%.

Many people agree on the fact that foolish to prosecute those who just smoke a joint, given that marijuana is not as bad as alcohol and tobacco. According to research published in the journal “ Scientific Reports ”, alcohol has a hazard rating of 114 higher than cannabis, followed by heroin, cocaine, and tobacco. Historically no deaths have ever been recorded due to the use of hemp derivatives.

However, public opinion often considers it a secondary issue; a simple matter of custom, and not a priority. Many, instead, consider the legalization of self-production and personal use of cannabis a priority that will produce huge economic savings for our country with just one move, inflict a considerable blow to organized crime, and above all will improve public health and therefore it will lead to saving for the pockets of all Italian/Americans citizens and not only for those who use them.

From the cancellation of the crime of production and sale of soft drugs market, the savings generated would amount to almost 800 million dollars, due to the lower expenses among magistrates, prisoners, and those related to public order and safety Economic and financial resources that could be moved to combat hard drugs, such as cocaine, heroin and synthetic drugs, these are really dangerous.

About 5 million people use hashish or marijuana, since it is legal to grow it at home these people are forced to turn to the black market. In a 2016 study, the University of Bern analyzed 191 marijuana samples seized by law enforcement agencies in Switzerland. The discovery is worrying: 91% of these products are contaminated. In fact, cannabis is ‘cut’ with substances of various types in order to increase the weight of the grass and have more profits, but also to increase the psychotropic effect or to make the flowers more beautiful. Ammonia, lacquer, glass wool, lead, aluminum, iron, chromium, and cobalt were found in the samples. Hemp is also a ‘brush’ plant capable of draining pollutants from the soil these substances, as well as fertilizers, are found in flowers. Obviously smoking these products can cause serious damage to the consumer, and these damages could be avoided simply by allowing everyone to carefully cultivate their plants.

The same considerations can be made for the so-called cannabis light, using the one for sale in the shops instead of the one on the illegal market is much safer for public health and represents damage to crime. Paradoxically, it would be even safer if the use of this substance was allowed for food or herbal purposes because obviously, the inflorescences should respect different, even more stringent, production standards.

Those who want to smoke a joint will certainly prefer controlled substances that can be bought regularly, without incurring penalties, and will not go looking for a pusher down the street, they will not call the drug dealer who ‘draws’ smoke at home, inventing code words on the phone to see if it’s a good time to go and get it or not.

We have two possibilities before us: the first is to think of the ideal world that we would like and therefore to perceive as intermediate all the intermediate measures, those that intervene by gradually reforming, and that since they cannot solve the problem immediately and in their entirety they are perceived as useless. The ideality will be saved, but the reality is increasingly ruined, thus irremediably moving away from that world as ideal as it is unattainable. The second possibility we have is to try to ‘reform’ the reality we live in proceeding by trial and error, measuring ourselves against the complexity of real problems. Example: the mafias exist, they do business with drug trafficking, but also with construction, procurement, services, gambling, wherever there is a flaw in the system, or rather, wherever there is a ‘question’ to match an offer’, but of all these areas the most profitable is the drug market. Because it is the most risky, it is also what provides the capital to be able to deal with everything else.

To conclude, I personally think that if we want to have fewer legality problems we should legalize marijuana because whether we like it or not, all the people who already use it will continue to use it, whether it is legalized or not, risking legal and personal problems, which could very well be avoided with legalization, since we can also use therapeutically.

The legalization of recreational marijuana was driven by politicians who had a desire to restructure the current medical marijuana laws, to help law enforcement, and by profits. With the commercialization and legalization of marijuana by Washington voters in 2012 an emerging trend has occurred where adolescents ages 12 and older have begun to perceive marijuana as not only legal (for them), but that it is also not harmful. Along with this new “perception”, the adult public consensus suggests that marijuana is not a drug which has trickled down to our youth. So, the adults are happy with legalization, but did they not realize how it would affect our kids? NO. Between false advertising, promotions on social media, and the ever-changing public perception, it has led to chronic adolescent marijuana use which has a direct link to cognitive impairment, poor academic work, and higher mental health issues such as addiction and psychosis.

Law makers believed that treating adult marijuana users as criminals was not a constructive use of government resources. Former U.S. Attorney John McKay stated, “The enormous demand for marijuana in the face of criminal penalties, which has been in existence for 70 years, is spinning off enormous profits for drug cartels, for gangs, for drug dealers. We are strategically, way, way out of position in law enforcement by allowing the American marijuana demand and market to fund those much more serious activities” (as cited in Ballotpedia, 2012). Therefore, changing the marijuana laws would help with reducing the number of marijuana offenses, directly serving to eliminate jail overcrowding. Firth (2018) provided data collected by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs which showed that marijuana incident arrests dropped by 58-63% after legalization with further data on marijuana offenses filed with the courts showing that from 2012 to 2015 total cases dropped from 6,336 to just 2,313 among all ages (p. 3). However, the decline in misdemeanor arrests does not show that our youth are more able to acquire marijuana now then they did prior to legalization.

As with prescription medication or alcohol, marijuana can be abused. Pflaumer, Alsdorf, Levinson (2011) claimed that law makers did not want to promote marijuana use, but “to end the failed experiment with marijuana prohibition and replace it with a well-considered public-health framework that dedicates money to prevention and treatment rather than incarceration”. While incarceration has declined according to statistics, a 2018 survey conducted states that, “seven percent of 8th graders, 18 percent of 10th graders, and 26 percent of 12th graders” have said they used [marijuana] in the past 30 days with “36% of 8th graders, 40% of 10th graders, and 47% of 12th graders indicating they used on six or more days. This is definitely scary to me. The survey also indicates that over half of the 12th grades admitted to driving within 3 hours of using marijuana at least once during a 30-day period. In essence, those 12th graders seem to disregard the fact that they are under the influence after using marijuana.

Youth exposure to marijuana messages/advertisements have increased since legalization. Advertisements include billboards, print ads, radio spots and promotions on social media. As adolescents are one of the most profuse and involved social media user, it is highly likely that commercial marijuana promotions have a high potential of reaching and influencing our youth. With this exposure comes the products. The marijuana industry has created many products that would appeal to kids such as candies, cookies, brownies and even suckers. Data (2018) states that the most common way of using marijuana is by smoking it; however, tenth graders have reported using dabs, consuming marijuana edibles, vaping, or drinking marijuana beverages.

They have also copied the tobacco industry where they are utilizing vaping devices and selling marijuana infused product as a safer way to smoke. With these promotions and advertising, students believe that marijuana is very easy to obtain. Many report that they get marijuana from friends with about one in six giving money to someone else to buy it for them. This is the change we see in our society.

As with alcohol and tobacco, marijuana is the new “norm” for parties and abuse by teens. Along with this comes the declining perceived risk of regular use. “About one in five 8th graders, one in three 10th graders, and almost half of 2th graders perceived little risk to regular use” (data, 2018). With a decrease in perceived risk, it is often followed by an increase in use. Along with this decrease in perceived risk, marijuana businesses have been found to overstate the benefits of their products online. Many online marijuana retailers have proposed benefits to include a reduction in anxiety, as a treatment for depression and help with insomnia. While marijuana can provide relief from certain medical conditions, including cancer, it is true that THC, can be used to treat certain medical aliments. Studies conducted across the US, Canada, Norway, and the United Kingdom have shown that marijuana had positive effects on migraine headaches, rheumatoid/fibromyalgia, muscular pain, back pain and multiple sclerosis (Ryan and Sharts-Hopko, 2017). But the consequences of marijuana use are particularly pronounced for teens which includes academic difficulties, impaired driving, psychiatric impairment and progression to other drugs.

Marijuana does affect the brain and body. Marijuana’s main property is THC. When someone smokes marijuana the chemical THC passes from the lungs into the bloodstream. THC acts on specific brain receptors that play a role in our normal brain development and function. The THC over activates this area and causes the user to feel a “high”. Other effects are stated to be: senses being altered, changes in mood, difficulty with thinking and problem solving as well as impaired memory. When taken in high quantities, effects can include psychosis, delusions, and even hallucinations.

According to federal law, marijuana belongs to a category of substances that have a high potential for abuse. The analysis of the studies of different researchers showed that there are two main points of view on the issue of marijuana legalization. Some people believe that marijuana should be legalized, while others are against its legalization. Both points of view are supported by numerous arguments, and all of them seem to be rational and sensible. However, my point of view is that marijuana should be legalized.

Legalizing Green Drugs would not only create job opportunities but also set the ball rolling for economic activity in the pot industry in these areas (https://www.investopedia.com/articles/insights/110916/economic-benefits-legalizing-weed.asp). Legalizing recreational marijuana could support many jobs and generate more labor income. These jobs would likely come from the quickly growing industry which would spring up across the nation. Workers would be needed to process, farm, distribute, and sell marijuana-based products. Local communities in traditional areas of cultivation would benefit from the potential of Appellations of Origin to promote sustainable tourism, and increase job creation and community ownership (Kenzi et al. 2018).

Indeed, while there may be some negative externalities related to marijuana, the positive ones are far greater. Growing marijuana has been reported that takes a lot of resources, mostly energy and water (https://www.civilized.life/articles/legalizing-marijuana-good-for-environment). People growing illegal marijuana take more measures to keep their plants hidden. They also consume more resources to grow marijuana. Legalizing marijuana allows people growing marijuana to take part in sustainable energy as well as lowering the costs of growing cannabis (Riboulet-Zemouli, et al. 2019). The carbon footprint and energy consumption of people growing marijuana would decline, as the plants will be getting photosynthesis more naturally from the sun.

Many people grow illegal marijuana in public forests and woods where they keep it hidden. This means that people who are growing illegal marijuana are introducing toxins and pesticides to help their plants grow in public lands, where they can disrupt the local ecosystem. When federal agents find illegal marijuana, they usually spray it with herbicides and set it on fire (https://www.civilized.life/articles/legalizing-marijuana-good-for-environment/). As a result, burning the earth around the cannabis releases herbicides into the environment which also destroys other plants and animals. Legalizing marijuana would restore, protect and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests and stop biodiversity loss.

The legalization of marijuana would also likely open the door to the legal production of hemp. Proponents say hemp could meet an increasingly larger percentage of fuel needs and domestic fibers. Cannabis grows .quickly without the need of using excessive amounts of pesticides and fertilizers. The fuel and fiber derived from hemp would be carbon neutral, this will make it not contribute to global warming (https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/would-legalizing-pot-be-good-for-environment/). Legalizing marijuana ensures access to reliable, affordable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. It could also help reduce rising temperatures by replacing chemical-intensive crops like imported fossil fuels.

In conclusion, the issue of marijuana legalization has been remaining an important issue for a long time already. After analysis of both points of view, and reading a lot of information on the issue, my opinion is that marijuana should be legalized. Legalizing marijuana would restore, promote sustainable agriculture, protect and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and stop biodiversity loss.

One of the most controversial, social, and legal issues in the United States today is the legalization of marijuana. Just like with every issue, there are pros and cons that come along with it. I believe that the benefits of legalizing marijuana outweigh the negatives that are associated with it. This paper will focus on some of those benefits, which include, the economic, social, and medical standpoints. Taking into consideration the negatives that correspond to each topic.

Marijuana is estimated to have a market of about $30 billion, which is an astronomical business opportunity for the United States. If marijuana were to be legalized and levied just like tobacco or alcohol, it would bring about important economic benefits. Each state could regulate its own taxes, and spend the earnings in other places where money is limited, like education. For example, Washington and Colorado have taken the steps necessary to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, because of this, both of the states are estimated to profit $310 million and $100 million, respectively. Keeping in mind, this does not take into account how much money each state would save from the reduction of drug enforcement agencies. A counter-argument to this would be that, even though legalizing marijuana would bring in a great deal of money, people fail to take into account the increase in healthcare costs and drug recovery. This, in itself, could cost America millions of dollars. Some people expect the total profit will break even with the spending to combat the negative effects marijuana might have on individuals. However, there is so much money to be made, that assumption is not practical. Not to mention, that marijuana does not cause, nowhere near, as much impairment as alcohol causes. As a result of this, the needed spending for drug recovery, I believe, will be less than that of alcohol.

Another benefit that contributes to the legalization of marijuana is the medical point of view. The use of marijuana for medicinal purposes is not a recent discovery. Written references to the use of medical marijuana date as far back as 5,000 years. Today, thousands of people are able to use marijuana to ease their ailments. It has been scientifically proven to help with glaucoma, and Parkinson’s, and relieve chronic pain. There are multiple variations in which people are using medical marijuana, including but not limited to, smoking it, using CBD oil, ingesting oil capsules daily, and even consuming doses of the oil as needed. In the U.S. today, there are two main forms of cannabinoids approved by the FDA, dronabinol, and nabilone. Both of these are available as pills and are approved for things like nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy, as well as, appetite stimulation in illnesses like viral infections, or even cancer.

A frequent counter-argument that comes about when talking about the legalization of marijuana for medicinal use is that of the side effects. Though marijuana is one of the less harmful drugs around, it has long-term effects that come along with frequent usage. To start, marijuana use in excess triggers issues within the hippocampus causing users to have an issue with memory. The drug temporarily prevents its users to develop new memories and learning new things, therefore causing issues in their short-term memory. It was found in the Hippocampus Journal, that teens who smoked pot every day for three years had abnormal growths in the hippocampus area when they reached their twenties. Another side effect of marijuana is a condition that forms in the heart. Due to the toxins in marijuana, there can be long-term damage created in the bronchial passages, the lungs, as it exits the lungs causing heart rates to dramatically increase. This creates a potentiality of more frequent heart attacks in some users. Finally, marijuana is found to have an addictive effect on every 1 in 10 users, but if users start in their teens, that statistic rises to 1 in every 6. With this in mind, withdrawal, and combatting other addictive symptoms follow along with the use of marijuana and would affect even those using it for medicinal benefits.

One thing to consider when it comes to legalizing marijuana is the lines of how it affects our economy when people are using it, and how the laws against it affect the people of the U.S. Laws, as they are now, cost taxpayers billions of dollars a year, purely because, as taxpayers, there are payments being made for every individual prisoner that is incarcerated. Most of those who are caught with possession of marijuana are sent to prison because of the schedule of the drug it has been made out to be. If cannabis were legalized and taxed as a consumer good, it would have a great potential to bring in huge dollar amounts to the federal government. The estimated profit for the legalization of marijuana ranges anywhere between $2.4 billion to $6.2 billion annually, depending on how it is taxed.

One everlasting argument about the legalization of marijuana, on the social aspect, is that if it is legalized it can get into the hands of children at much younger ages. Though it is a common fear of every parent to worry about drugs, there is no way to truly prevent their exposure to drugs. In one study, it was proven that it was much easier for students to obtain drugs in their normal social settings than it is to obtain alcohol. Though it seems like an unrealistic viewpoint, seeing how plenty of parents have their alcohol stashes, there is a matter of drug dealers not asking for ID which needs to be understood. Children can easily be exposed to these types of drugs by simply attending school on a daily basis, it is just a matter of if they take the opportunity to use it or not.

All in all, when considering the economic, social, and medical usage of marijuana, there is something to be said about how much it can actually benefit the population versus doing it harm. Though there is a potential to get addicted, there is a line each user has to draw for their usage, just as we do with other drugs like alcohol and caffeine. With that being said, if consumers are able to find a happy medium with distribution, usage, and dose, then I believe that marijuana would do nothing but benefit the economy and the way we live today. Seeing how relevant the benefits are, even now, it is hard to see why the government draws so many lines around the legalization of marijuana.

“Critical thinking, that is, the capacity and disposition to evaluate propositions and be moved by good reasons” (Guzzo & Rosário Lima, 2018). It has been stated that as humans, critical thinking is actually very difficult despite the ability to have higher thought. Critical thinking, and processing information by good reasoning is thinking without bias and by good reasons. Humans mostly use reasoning that is based on pre-existing beliefs and experiences. In order to truly think critically, people must bring awareness to how they are analyzing, thinking, and reacting to things, which requires a certain level of stress on people’s cognitive abilities in a centered, calm state if mind. Substances, such as drugs, alcohol, or anything stimulating can and does affect these cognitive abilities and thus, our already difficult ability to think critically. Psychoactive drugs, “All do their work at the brain’s synapses, stimulating, inhibiting, or mimicking the activity of the brain’s own chemical messengers, the neurotransmitters” (Myers & Dewall, 2015).

Marijuana is a hallucinogenic drug that is the most popular drug to use amongst college students. Most students use marijuana more than cigarettes and believe it to be less harmful than alcohol. It is used by many college students for social reasons as well as the effects produced by its “high” which can include an increase in joy, decrease in stress, and sometimes mild hallucination like symptoms. Marijuana has also been shown to include side effects that can worsen stress, depression in the long run, and increase agitation or paranoia. Considering the substantial use of the drug by college students while attempting to have academic success, does marijuana impact college students’ cognitive abilities and critical thinking skills?

This paper will analyze the effects of marijuana specifically in college students and how this may impact critical thinking skills. This paper will also analyze multiple sources to determine researched ways in which marijuana may help or hinder college students through its use. The topics covered will include: The reasons why college students use marijuana, the ethics of its us, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the drug.

Discussion

Reasons Why College Students Use Marijuana

Marijuana has been shown to have multiple therapeutic benefits both physically and mentally; decreasing pain, anxiety, depressive symptoms, as well as creating a relaxed state similar to alcohol without certain adverse effects of drinking, while working faster. Public opinion in students towards marijuana has also increased over alcohol or cigarette usage while the majority believe that marijuana is less harmful than alcohol. Marijuana is now also legalized federally and therefore creates easy access to college students either being 21 or older themselves or having people who are willing to buy it for them. (Haslam & Sinclair, 2017) (Vidourek, R., King, K., Merianos, A., Burbage, M., & Oluwoye, O, 2018)

Ethical Issues of Using Marijuana

With federal legalization of marijuana, the same ethical concern over the legality of using the drug is much different than before, as using the drug when over the age of 21 creates essentially no legal consequences for the user. However, there is other concern over its use and the prevalent illegal actions surrounding it. Almost half 50 percent of college students are reported to have used marijuana with the majority being introduced to the drug around the age of 18. It is clear that students up to the age of 20 are acquiring marijuana through illegal purchase or use from another person over the age of 21. It is also reported that 23.7% of students have used marijuana and then driven while under the influence of it. (Vidourek, R., King, K., Merianos, A., Burbage, M., & Oluwoye, O, 2018)

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Marijuana

Using Marijuana has been shown decrease stress and pain while also being helpful to those with neuropathic issues that lead to pain and are unable to be treated with prescription drugs. Studies have found that marijuana use has been beneficial to those with mental health issues including depression and anxiety. However, Marijuana can impact education and critical thinking skills which can contribute to academic problems for college students. In the Journal of Psychology of Addictive Behavior, the effects of Marijuana on the brain, particularly on college students are stated as follows, “Marijuana use, particularly heavy use, has been shown to affect working memory, learning, and information processing; functions that are necessary for academic performance” (Arria, A., Caldeira, K., Bugbee, B., Vincent, K., & O’grady, K, 2015). (Haslam, Lucy; Sinclair, Justin. The therapeutic benefits of marijuana, 2017)

Summary

This research paper explains the advantages as well as the disadvantages of Marijuana use, while including statistics and facts in the use and legality of marijuana, and the potential effects in cognitive abilities and critical thinking. Marijuana is a drug that is federally legal for purchase and use of those over 21 years old and it has been shown to reduce anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. However, Marijuana has adverse effects as well as some ethical issues that are associated with the drug despite public opinion regarding its safety, including the decrease in vital brain functions and illegal usage by underage students.

Analysis

Critical Thinking, being an intellectual skill that can be developed, is naturally something that is reliant on the cognitive abilities of our brain. The ability to process information and therefore analyze in a critical way would be affected directly by anything that would hinder or grow the minds ability to do so. While marijuana has been shown to have multiple benefits in calming the mind, which should potentially be beneficial to our overall rational processing of information, marijuana in it of itself seems to have a negative and deteriorating effect on learning, memory, and information processing. This in turn would affect one’s ability to think critically and the academic success of college students.

Student Opinion

I believe that Marijuana as is generally used by healthy college students, does not have any major advantages besides enjoyment of the feeling obtained when high or the social aspect of using it. People that are dealing with medical issues or mental health disorders that are truly recommended the use of marijuana, typically are not given instructions to smoke it nor get high from it but rather micro-dose with pure THC or sometimes even cannabis without THC and is used in fully developed adults dealing with issues that current medicine has not been able to treat. There are many prescription medications that are given for depression and anxiety with proven results without risk to the brain. However, there are many college students who use marijuana frequently who do seem to be unaffected, which begs the question of more research being done. I also think that there is much bias even within the scientific community that has surrounded marijuana for many years and more research in an unbiased way is needed to find the truth about the effects of marijuana both in the short and long term.

Need for Further Research

Studies have been done multiple times to find the effects of marijuana and how it may hinder cognitive abilities. However, the amount of research that is specific to how, what, and the duration of such effects seems to be a small pool, especially current data. Many current studies have made it clear that 100% evidence of cognitive deterioration has not been attained. Just as with any drug, it is made clear the short-term effects of using marijuana and how the drug will affect cognition and critical thinking skills. More research will be time consuming and difficult but is necessary in discovering the true effects of marijuana specifically if use of the drug has not already been started before young adulthood when plasticity is higher. This would require a controlled study of non-users to agree to begin using marijuana and testing them against abstinent participants in both intelligent examinations as well as brain scans in order to determine long term neurological effects of marijuana.

References

1. Arria, A., Caldeira, K., Bugbee, B., Vincent, K., & O’grady, K. (2015). The Academic
2. Consequences of Marijuana Use During College. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 29(3), 564–575. https://doi.org/10.1037/adb0000108
3. Guzzo, G. B., & Valderez Marina do Rosário Lima. (2018). The development of critical thinking in education: A feasible goal? Educação Unisinos, 22(4), 334-343. Retrieved from https://ezproxy-h.pierce.ctc.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy-h.pierce.ctc.edu/docview/2167770183?accountid=2280
4. Haslam, Lucy; Sinclair, Justin. The therapeutic benefits of marijuana. (2017). Lamp, 74(4), 18–19. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy-h.pierce.ctc.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rzh&AN=122847956&scope=site
5. Myers, D. G., & DeWall, C. N. (2015). Psychology (11th ed.).
6. Vidourek, R., King, K., Merianos, A., Burbage, M., & Oluwoye, O. (2018). MARIJUANA USE AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS LEGALIZATION.(Report). American Journal of Health Studies, 33(2).

We’re in a momentous time where a plant has attracted the attention of the American people. The legalization of marijuana has been an ongoing controversy that has created headway in policy-making, but by doing so has disrupted the relationship between state and federal government. There has been a change in attitude towards marijuana that has transformed the systematics of present-day politics, as some states are making decisions independently from laws set forth by the federal government. The consequences of its misrepresentation have halted its legalization nationally, but states that have legalized its use have reaped the benefits of economic prosperity. By legalizing the recreational use of marijuana, states have been able to decrease their unemployment rates due to an increase in businesses and have been able to fund state programs with the millions of dollars in tax revenue made by the cannabis industry. Many have argued that cannabis has destructive qualities that deteriorates your mental and physical health and can lead to addiction when ill-used outside the scope of medicinal purposes, but its effectiveness and success as a medicinal drug has escalated its popularity with patients suffering from a variety of different illnesses. Although we are faced with the threat of drug misuse, I will discuss how the legalization of marijuana is beneficial and ultimately inevitable.

Throughout most of my life, I was raised to believe that marijuana was detrimental and harmful to our health until I read an article over the benefits of its medicinal use in a nursing clinical class. I started to question its actual impact on a person’s well-being. After the first states, Colorado and Washington, legalized recreational use, I started to become more interested in the shift in ideology towards cannabis. Marijuana is often interpreted as a drug that is used by “undesirables” creating an unfavorable perspective, but I realized a trend over time, the increase in education of marijuana has diminished the negative light that casts over it. Throughout my research, I learned of the medical and economic benefits that marijuana has and because of this, I want to bring awareness to what potential legalizing marijuana can have on America.

32 states have legalized the use of marijuana in some form, either recreationally or medicinally, and have seen a favorable outcome of economic success. The demand for the cannabis industry has given more opportunity for independent businesses to flourish. An influx of jobs has reduced unemployment rates substantially. Colorado, being the first state to legalize marijuana, has the nation’s lowest jobless rate at only 2.3%. Most states have been using their tax revenue from the marijuana industry to fund programs such as education, health, and public safety. Nevada is able to fund education and rehabilitation programs with the tax revenue it makes from the marijuana industry. With the exponential growth of profit made from this industry, the federal government would have the ability to eliminate a lot of financial burdens that delay the progress of repairing problems and satisfying our needs.

Marijuana is a psychoactive drug known for inducing euphoria, relieving pain, and promoting hunger. It creates a feeling of satisfaction that can cause overuse and misuse. Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug that is believed to be a gateway to addiction and abuse, but these problems are also exhibited with common legal substances such as alcohol and tobacco. All these substances have addictive properties that can lead to problems with your health and have a bad impact on your life. Smoking a cigarette is similar to smoking a joint, they both do damage to your lungs and could ultimately worsen your health when used excessively.

Unlike tobacco and alcohol, marijuana has been proven to have medicinal benefits such as treating muscle spasms caused by multiple sclerosis, nausea from cancer chemotherapy, poor appetite and weight loss caused by chronic illness, and seizure disorders. It could be your family, your friend, someone you love, or even yourself who could benefit from using marijuana. There shouldn’t be such harsh attitudes towards cannabis as it has been the reason for others coping and relief when it comes treating to illness. It is up to us to set boundaries and be cautious when using any type of drug or substance. Education is an important necessity that is essential for managing cases involving drug addiction and dependence. Encouraging people to learn the consequences of any type of substance abuse is a great start to countering misuse and misinterpretation of marijuana.

According to Dr. Andre Haughton (2019), the Cannabis Consumers Coalition report created in 2017 stated that more than 50% of consumers support policies of legalizing the use of marijuana (Jamaica Gleaner, 2019). With the legalization of marijuana in the works, many Jamaicans have argued about the potential negative health effects. The legalization will prevent law enforcement from penalizing the public if they are caught in possession of the cannabis plant. Legalizing marijuana will not eventually result in more harm than good as marijuana has potential for medical innovation and legalizing marijuana will aid in improving the country’s economy.

Primarily, legalizing marijuana will not eventually result in more harm than good as marijuana has potential for medical innovation. According to Hanlon (2018), Jamaica has been paving the way in the science and technology driving medical marijuana innovation by establishing an initiative to preserve the cannabis strains. This initiative has been occurring since the 1960s, in order to retain its unique CBD content and chemical characteristics from the modern day strains. Moreover, one such cannabis strain is the Landrace which has been used for targeting illnesses from epilepsy to anxiety (Sharp, 2018). Additionally, Dr. Henry Lowe has created a cannabis based drug that will be used to treat eye – related diseases (Jamaica Observer Limited, 2019). His implementation will help to improve the eyesight of glaucoma patients by reducing the pressure without surgery with the active THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) compound in his drug. Additionally, the Jamaican Medical Cannabis Collective (JMCC) (2018) has partnered with international markets to invest 2 million US dollars to research Jamaica’s marijuana strain. With this intention, the marijuana strains will be preserved as it is indigenous to Jamaica and has potential in the medical field.

In the same token, legalizing marijuana will not eventually result in more harm than good as it will aid in improving the country’s economy. According to Pardo (2015), the regulated sales of marijuana will boost the economy of Jamaica. This will provide another product that can be exported. The global demand of the product has increased due to its many uses. and since it has a lot of usages lot of countries my want to take advantage of the product. One of the many uses of the product includes the creation of oil from its extract. This can lead to the growth in employment as many industries will be needed to complete the task. According to the Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Honourable. Audley Shaw, Jamaica could earn $30 million per gallon for exporting these oils (Jamaica Gleaner, 2019). An increase in export prices will increase the foreign currency of the country. Since the tourism sector constitutes 30% of Jamaica’s GDP, the government revenue can be increased due to the popularity of marijuana from tourists (Davenport & Pardo, 2015). As criminal charges associated with the plant will be dropped, this will make Jamaica more comfortable for them. Small Jamaican business owners can retrieve wealth from an increase in tourist arrivals.

Some argue that legalizing marijuana will result in more harm than good as there will be more negative health effects. Correspondingly, these effects were stated in a case study in 2001 examined that marijuana is a potential trigger for cardiovascular problems (Aarons, 2018). These problems can be triggered due to marijuana exposure. Additionally, there is an increase in the use of marijuana among adolescents which is due to the easy access of the product. This may lead to a growth in the number of adolescents at the risk of being addicted to marijuana (Compton, Volkow, & Lopez, 2017).

Despite certain arguments, legalizing marijuana will not eventually do more harm than good as marijuana can be controlled and administered by medical professionals. According to Dr. Henry Levine, registered physicians should perform an adequate background check on a patient’s medical treatments and psychiatric disorders and a current physical examination of the patients before marijuana is administered (Murphy, 2018). Even though some may argue that marijuana can cause cardiovascular problems, these problems are more linked to the improper uses of the product, thus the government could implement systems such as centers that will aim to educate the people on why they shouldn’t use the product in the wrong way and this could reduce the amount of improper uses of marijuana in the country. Additionally, the patients should be educated about the safety precautions of the.