Forum Description: Please View The Following Video On The Pr ✓ Solved
Forum Descriptionplease View The Following Video On The Pros And Cons
FORUM DESCRIPTION Please view the following video on the Pros and Cons of legalizing Marijuana: After reading the section on Psychoactive Drugs in chapter 5 and viewing the slides in the power point, what do you think: 1. Should marijuana be legalized, yes or no? 2. Support your answer with facts found in the chapter, the video, the slides or some other source you find. 3. Your post should be a minimum of 150 words to receive maximum credit for this assignment (20 points). 4. Give an informed response to two of your classmates as to whether you agree or disagree with their position. 5. Most important: Be considerate and respectful of other classmates views. One can disagree without being disagreeable. Any use of inappropriate personal criticism or profanity will absolutely NOT be tolerated. Lets just engage in a mature and thoughtful exchange of ideas.
Sample Paper For Above instruction
The debate over the legalization of marijuana continues to be a contentious issue in many societies around the world. Based on insights from Chapter 5's section on Psychoactive Drugs, the accompanying slides, and various credible sources, I advocate for the legalization of marijuana. The primary reasons for this stance include potential medicinal benefits, economic advantages, and the reduction of crime related to illegal drug markets.
Medically, marijuana has been demonstrated to alleviate symptoms in patients suffering from chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, and chemotherapy-induced nausea (Hall & Weier, 2015). Several studies indicate that cannabinoids can be effective in pain management, which is supported by the growing number of medical marijuana programs across various states and countries (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2017). Making marijuana legal for medicinal purposes could enhance patient access while regulating its quality and safety through governmental oversight.
Economically, the legalization of marijuana has significant benefits. Taxation of legal sales generates substantial revenue, which can be allocated to public health initiatives, education, and infrastructure projects. For instance, Colorado reported over $387 million in marijuana tax revenue in 2020 alone (Colorado Department of Revenue, 2021). Additionally, legalization can create jobs in cultivation, distribution, and retail sectors, stimulating economic growth and reducing unemployment rates (Pacula & Smart, 2017).
Furthermore, criminal justice perspectives reveal that legalization can reduce the burden on law enforcement agencies and the judiciary by decreasing arrests related to marijuana possession. This shift not only conserves resources but also minimizes the social impact of criminal records on individuals, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities (Morris & Passell, 2020). Legal markets also limit the influence of illegal cartels by removing monopolistic control of distribution.
However, opponents argue that marijuana use may increase mental health issues and impair cognitive functioning, especially among young people (Volkow et al., 2014). While these concerns are valid, regulation and public education campaigns can mitigate misuse and protect vulnerable populations. Moreover, criminalization often results in more harm than benefits, including social stigmatization and incarceration of non-violent offenders.
In conclusion, the compelling evidence supports the legalization of marijuana due to its medicinal benefits, economic advantages, and potential to reduce criminal activity. With appropriate regulations in place, society can harness the positive aspects of legalization while minimizing adverse effects.
References
- Colorado Department of Revenue. (2021). Marijuana tax data. https://cdor.colorado.gov/data
- Hall, W., & Weier, M. (2015). Assessing the public health impacts of legalizing recreational cannabis use: The US experience. Addiction, 110(9), 1577–1584.
- Morris, R. G., & Passell, J. (2020). The effects of marijuana legalization on the criminal justice system. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 39(3), 717–740.
- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2017). The health effects of cannabis and cannabinoids: The current state of evidence and recommendations for research. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
- Pacula, R. L., & Smart, R. (2017). Medical marijuana and marijuana legalization. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 13, 397–419.
- Volkow, N. D., Baler, R. D., Compton, W. M., & Weiss, S. R. B. (2014). Adverse health effects of marijuana use. New England Journal of Medicine, 370(23), 2219–2227.