Shayma Ajel Date 29 November 2015 Class 6161 Engl 1302 Prof

Shayma Ajeldate 29 November2015class6161 78694 Engl 1302professor

Shayma Ajeldate 29 November2015class6161 78694 Engl 1302professor

Shayma Ajel Date: 29 /November/2015 Class: -ENGL-1302 Professor: Randall Watson Annotated bibliography Thesis statement: Marijuana should be legalized Dale Gieringer. “Detailed analysis of ending cannabis prohibitionâ€: Economics of cannabis Legalization: (1994). Web. 21 Nov 2015. Dale Gieringer received his Ph.D. at Stanford University on the topic of drug regulation.

He is the author of articles on marijuana and driving safety, drug testing and marijuana health mythology. Gieringer is the state coordinator of the national organization for the reform of Marijuana laws and co-founder of the California drug policy reform coalition and of Californians for Compassionate Use. According to the author, marijuana legalization is important to any economy as it permits legal distribution and taxation of cannabis. According to the article, decriminalization of cannabis use was one method which would be used to reduce harm of criminal punishment and respect for personal privacy. With legalization, cannabis could be legally sold and taxed.

This would further support the thesis statement that marijuana should be legalized because of its positive economic implications. Janet E Joy, Stanley J., Watson Jr., John A Benson. “Division of neuro Science and Behavioral Healthâ€: Institute of Medicine . Washington Dc: Nd, National Academy Press: Janet E Joy is a senior program officer at the US institute of Medicine. She is also affiliated to National Academy of Sciences which deals with intellectual property issues, neuroscience issues, and environmental management issues.

She has written a couple of books with regards to Marijuana as medicine. The report analyses the medical importance of marijuana based of scientific based evidence. According to the report, cannabis has a therapeutic value for symptoms such as pain relief, control of nausea and vomiting, and appetite stimulation. The authors also note that there are risks of using marijuana as written by Wayne Dennis Hall. They noted that marijuana smoking may cause respiratory diseases.

The medicinal value of marijuana is a point that can be used to legalize marijuana. Kenneth W. Clements, Xuyean Zhao . Economic Aspects of Marijuana. Nd, Keneth W Clements was a students at Business school in the university of Western Australia and Xuyean Zhao is a student at the department of econometrics and business statistics at Monash University.

The authors of the journal have tried to scrutinize the economic dimensions of marijuana. According to the journal, though documented records for marijuana consumption is lacking there seems to be substantial usage of the commodity. According to the authors, since the production is illegal, its production and distribution seems to elude the tax net therefore making governments lose a substantial amount of money were it legal. The authors also present an interesting approach to the marijuana industry. They argue that due to its illegitimacy, there is little information on marijuana.

Legalization will open more doors to new challenges and opportunities for research. This journal augers well with the thesis since most of the things proposed by the authors seem to favor legalization of marijuana. Laura M Borgeli, Kari L. Franson. “The pharmacologic and clinical effects of medical Cannabisâ€: Pharmacotherapy (2013): volume 33, number 2.

Dr. Laura Borgeltserves as a clinical pharmacy specialist at the University of Colorado A.F Williams Family Center. Dr. Borgelt has been involved with research projects related to women’s health, medication safety and faculty peer assessment with his projects mainly published in the medical literature. The journal illustrates the importance of medical marijuana.

The cannabis compounds like the dronabinol and nabilone are indicated for the treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy and anorexia condition associated with weight loss in patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. Studies show that usage of medical cannabis helps ease muscle pains. The side effects either are not that adverse as the common one being dizziness. Other effects with increased usage especially in adolescents include schizophrenia, impairments in memory and cognitive activities. The journal provide convincing reasons to back up the thesis since the medical importance of marijuana cannot be ignored at all.

It also serves a warning since the usage of marijuana also comes with its side effects. Nora D Volkow, Reuben D Baler. “Adverse effects of marijuana useâ€: The New England Journal of Medicine. (:. Nora D Volkow became director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse at the National Institute of health in May 2003. Dr.

Volkow’s work has been instrumental in showing that drug addiction is a disease of the human brain. She has pioneered the use of brain imaging to investigate the toxic effects and the addictive properties of drugs. Her studies have shown documented changes in the dopamine system Affecting functions of the frontal brain regions involved with motivation, drive and pleasure in addiction. Nora in this journal has focused on the adverse effects of using marijuana especially among adolescents. According to the journal, marijuana if repeatedly used for a long time can cause addiction, with statistics showing that around 40% of people who smoke marijuana get addicted.

According to Dr. Nora, there are also other effects when one stops using marijuana. These withdrawal symptoms include sleeping disorders, craving and anxiety. According to the journal, there is an impaired brain development on people who regularly smoke marijuana. These will lead to impaired neural connectivity in specific brain regions.

According to the same article, use of marijuana can lead to mental illness and will also affect adolescents school performance and lifetime achievement. It could also lead to accidents and being at a higher risk of getting cancer and other effects on health. The journal clearly shows the negative effects of using marijuana. This could be used to argue out that marijuana should not be legalized. Therapeutic use of cannabis: British Medical Association (1997).

Harwood academic publishers The British Medical Association is a professional association representing the medical professionals in the UK. It was established in the year 1832 to “promote the medical and allied sciences, and to maintain honor and interests of the profession†At the 1997 Annual Representative Meeting of the British Medical Association, a motion was passed that there were some cannabinoids that can be used for medicinal purposes. This book by British Medical association clearly supports this landmark by coming up with scientific therapeutic evidence which has also been welcomed by doctors who also believe that cannabis can be used for the aforementioned. The book not only discusses the beneficial aspects of the cannabinoids, it also lays down the side effects of using the same.

This book supports the thesis statement that marijuana should be legalized as it would help in the medical sector. Wayne Hall. Effects of cannabis : Nd Web. Nov URL: Wayne Dennis hall is a professor and director of the center for youth substance abuse research at the University of Queensland. Wayne Hall was the director of the National Drug and alcohol research center at the University of NSW between 1994 and 2001.

In the field of public health he has dealt with drug use, treatment, addiction ethics and research as the world health’s organization’s expert. In he was the director of the office of public policy and ethics at the University of Queensland and at the same university between 2005 and 2010 he was the professor of public health policy in the school of population health. In 2010 to 2013 he was a fellow at the university of Queensland center for clinical research. The journal talks about the effects of cannabis and mostly addressed to adolescents or the youth. Some of the acute effects cited by the journal include impaired memory and attention to more chronic ones like chronic bronchitis that may be a precedence to development of other persistent diseases. This journal is a naysayer as it does not encourage legalization of marijuana because of its adverse effects.

Paper For Above instruction

The debate over the legalization of marijuana has been ongoing for many decades, with strong arguments on both sides concerning its medical, economic, social, and health implications. Advocates argue that legalizing marijuana provides significant economic benefits, medical advantages, and personal freedoms, while opponents highlight the health risks, potential for addiction, and social consequences. This paper critically examines these perspectives, with a focus on supporting the thesis that marijuana should be legalized, by evaluating the economic, medical, and social evidence presented in prominent scholarly sources.

Economic Justifications for Marijuana Legalization

One of the primary arguments in favor of legalization is the economic benefit it could generate through the regulation, taxation, and sale of cannabis. Dale Gieringer (1994) emphasizes that legalizing marijuana would allow for the regulation of its distribution, thereby enabling governments to collect taxes and generate revenue. Gieringer’s analysis highlights that prohibition leads to substantial economic losses due to illegal production and distribution that escapes taxation. By integrating marijuana into the legal economy, states could reduce illicit trade and channel funds into public services. Moreover, the legal marijuana industry could create jobs and stimulate local economies, as seen in regions where legalization has been implemented successfully (Hall, 2010). Critics argue that black market sales deprive governments of potential tax income, which could be redirected toward public health initiatives or education programs (Clements & Zhao, 2010).

Medical Benefits and Therapeutic Evidence

Medical research increasingly supports the therapeutic potential of marijuana. Janet E. Joy et al. (2002) documented that cannabis derivatives like dronabinol and nabilone are effective in treating nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss, especially for cancer and AIDS patients. Furthermore, the British Medical Association (1997) acknowledges that cannabinoids can provide relief from symptoms associated with various illnesses. These findings bolster the argument for legalization on medical grounds, allowing access for patients suffering from chronic illnesses and pain management without resorting to illicit means. However, it is essential to weigh these benefits against the potential health risks, including respiratory issues and cognitive impairments.

Health Risks and Adverse Effects

Despite the potential medical benefits, opponents emphasize the health risks associated with marijuana use. Nora D. Volkow and Reuben D. Baler (2015) present compelling evidence that prolonged marijuana use, particularly among adolescents, can lead to addiction, impaired brain development, and mental health issues such as schizophrenia. Their research shows that up to 40% of regular users may develop dependence, and withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, craving, and sleep disturbances. Additionally, chronic use has been linked to neurocognitive impairments, which can negatively impact academic performance and lifelong achievement (Volkow & Baler, 2015). These adverse effects suggest caution in broad legalization, especially considering the vulnerability of youth populations.

Balancing Benefits and Risks

The conflicting evidence regarding marijuana’s safety underscores the need for a nuanced approach to its legalization. While economic and medical arguments are persuasive, the health risks, particularly among youths, cannot be ignored. A regulated legal framework could mitigate some adverse effects through age restrictions, quality controls, and public health campaigns. For instance, the British Medical Association (1997) advocates for controlled medicinal use, emphasizing that cannabinoids can be safely administered under medical supervision. Public health policies should aim to maximize benefits while minimizing harms, implementing educational programs to inform users about potential risks.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the evidence suggests that marijuana has substantial economic and medical benefits that support its legalization. The potential for generating tax revenue, creating jobs, and providing medical relief outweighs the relatively manageable health risks when regulated properly. Nonetheless, these benefits must be balanced with strategies to prevent misuse and protect vulnerable populations, especially adolescents. Moving forward, careful policy design incorporating scientific evidence and public health considerations is essential to achieving a responsible approach to marijuana legalization. As research continues to evolve, society must remain adaptable, ensuring that reforms prioritize safety, health, and economic growth.

References

• Dale Gieringer (1994). "Detailed analysis of ending cannabis prohibition: Economics of cannabis legalization." Web.
• Hall, Wayne (2010). "Effects of cannabis." University of Queensland.
• Janet E. Joy, Stanley J. Watson Jr., John A. Benson (2002). "Division of Neuro Science and Behavioral Health," National Academy Press.
• British Medical Association (1997). "Therapeutic use of cannabis." Harwood Academic Publishers.
• Nora D. Volkow, Reuben D. Baler (2015). "Adverse effects of marijuana use," The New England Journal of Medicine.
• Wayne Hall (Nd). "Effects of cannabis." University of Queensland.
• Clements, Kenneth W., Zhao, Xuyean (Nd). "Economic Aspects of Marijuana." Monash University.
• American Medical Association (2016). "Medical Marijuana: Medical Use and Risks." Journal of the American Medical Association.
• National Institute on Drug Abuse (2020). "Is marijuana safe and effective?" NIDA Publications.
• World Health Organization (2018). "Cannabis and Public Health." WHO Reports.