Is Marijuana Safe? Dr. Christopher Foster Phi 103 Informal L ✓ Solved

Is Marijuana Safedr Christopher Fosterphi103 Informal Logicashford U

Is Marijuana Safe? Dr. Christopher Foster phi103 Informal Logic Ashford U

In recent years, many states have voted to legalize marijuana, both for medical and recreational uses (Sanders, 2018). However, federal law still prohibits the use or sale of marijuana in the United States, allegedly because of negative health effects (Ripley, 2017). With the recent decision by the Justice department to crack down on marijuana distribution (Johnson, 2018), an important question is whether those federal laws have sound medical science on their side.

This paper will begin to explore the specific question of whether marijuana use is harmful to health. It will explore articles that argue on each side in an effort to evaluate the quality of the reasoning of each.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Marijuana legalization remains a contentious issue, with debates centered around its safety and medical benefits. The core question addressed in this analysis is whether marijuana poses significant health risks to users and society at large. As some states have legalized cannabis for medicinal and recreational purposes, understanding the validity of concerns regarding its safety is crucial for informed policy decisions.

Presentation of an Argument Against the Use of Marijuana

The first source reviewed is the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, which argues that marijuana is harmful based on several studies. Its key points include: (1) Studies show that marijuana diminishes attention, memory, and learning. (2) Studies indicate that marijuana increases the likelihood of traffic accidents, including fatalities. The main argument derived from these premises is:

• Premise 1: Marijuana use impairs attention, memory, and learning.
• Premise 2: Marijuana increases the risk of traffic accidents and fatalities.
• Conclusion: Marijuana use is detrimental to individual health and societal safety.

Evaluation of the Argument Against Marijuana

The argument presents compelling premises linking marijuana use to cognitive impairments and increased accident risk. However, the strength of this reasoning depends on the validity and support of the premises. The first premise assumes a causal relationship between marijuana use and decreased cognitive functions, which is supported by some studies but may vary with dosage, frequency, and individual differences. The second premise associates marijuana with traffic fatalities, but it’s essential to consider confounding factors, such as use of other substances or reckless behavior. Furthermore, the argument overlooks the context of medical marijuana use, where consumption might be controlled and not interfere with activities like driving.

A significant weakness is the cited lack of direct references or citations for these studies, which diminishes the credibility of the premises. Without specific sources, it’s challenging to verify the reliability of these findings. Additionally, the argument does not address potential benefits or controlled use scenarios, which could influence the overall assessment of safety. Overall, while the premises are plausible, their supporting evidence requires clearer validation to strengthen the argument’s conclusion.

Presentation of an Argument Supporting the Safety of Marijuana

The organization Americans for Safe Access advocates that marijuana can be used safely. Its key points include:

• 1. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports no recorded deaths from cannabis use.
• 2. Scientific research indicates that marijuana is safer than many legal foods and medications.
• 3. Moderate use does not impair lung function significantly.
• 4. Marijuana is less addictive and less prone to abuse than many legal drugs.
• 5. Side effects are minor and manageable with common precautions.

The core argument from this perspective is:

• Premise 1: No recorded deaths exist from cannabis use.
• Premise 2: Research shows it is safer than many foods and medications.
• Premise 3: Moderate smoking does not significantly impair lung function.
• Premise 4: Marijuana has lower addiction potential compared to other legal drugs.
• Premise 5: Side effects are minor and manageable.
• Conclusion: Marijuana use is relatively safe compared to other medications.

Evaluation of the Argument Supporting Marijuana Safety

The argument makes a persuasive case by highlighting the lack of fatal incidents and the relative safety compared to other substances. Nonetheless, some premises warrant careful scrutiny. The claim that no deaths are attributed to cannabis largely depends on current data, but as use increases, rare adverse events could emerge. Scientific research indicates safety in moderation, yet long-term effects remain less well understood. The assertion that marijuana is less addictive than many legal drugs aligns with existing evidence, though individual susceptibility varies.

A weakness in this argument is the reliance on data that may not account for long-term cognitive or mental health effects, which some studies suggest could be problematic. The references are often summarized or indirect, lacking explicit citations, which undermines the credibility of the supporting evidence. To bolster this argument, more comprehensive longitudinal studies and transparent referencing would be advantageous. Despite these limitations, the overall reasoning aligns with a view that marijuana, when used responsibly, may be relatively safe.

References

• Americans for Safe Access. (2018). Cannabis safety. Retrieved from https://www.safeaccessnow.org/
• Foundation for a Drug-Free World. (n.d.). The truth about marijuana: Behind the smoke screen. Retrieved from https://www.drugfreeworld.org/
• Grant, I., Gonzales, R., Carey, C. L., Natarajan, L., & Wolfson, T. (2003). Non-acute (residual) neurocognitive effects of cannabis use: A meta-analytic study. Journal of Internal Neuropsychological Society, 9(5), 679–689.
• Johnson, K., & Hughes, T. (2018, January 4). Justice department cracks down on legal marijuana with rollback of Obama policy. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/
• Ripley, E. (2017, December 20). Why is marijuana illegal? A look at the history of MJ in America. Retrieved from https://www.history.com/
• Sanders, L. (2018, January 2). Marijuana legalization 2018: Which states might consider cannabis laws this year? Retrieved from https://www.rollingstone.com/
• National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). Is marijuana safe? Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/
• Hall, W., & Degenhardt, L. (2014). Assessing the public health impacts of legalizing recreational cannabis use: The U.S. experience. World Psychiatry, 13(2), 195–203.
• Volkow, N. D., et al. (2014). Adverse health effects of marijuana use. New England Journal of Medicine, 370(23), 2219–2227.
• Meier, M. H., et al. (2012). Persistent cannabis users show neuropsychological decline from childhood to midlife. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 109(40), E2657–E2664.