For our last week before the Symposium, we will be discussing public policy and

Question

For our last week before the Symposium, we will be discussing public policy and how it pertains to the way that Americans treat drug abuse and treatment policies. Returning to our Week 4 discussion, our most current debates surround the legalization of marijuana. I personally recall this debate throughout high school debate classes and well into my own undergraduate degree. What is shocking to me is that there has finally been some movement in many states . Check out these sites to learn more:

http://library.cqpress.com.ezproxy.library.berkeley.org/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqr_ht_legalizing_marijuana_2014&type=hitlist&num=17

http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/cannabis/

What are your thoughts on legalization of marijuana? Why or why not?

What are your thoughts on legalization of ALL drugs? Why or why not?

As someone with a child with a medical condition that can be successfully treated with marijuana, I am frequently asked if that has changed my views on legalization. Do YOU think your thoughts would change if marijuana or another illegal substance was found to successfully treat your condition or the condition of a loved one? Do you set limits on how severe the condition would need to be? Only for some conditions or all? (hint: marijuana for example has been shown successful for increasing appetite and nausea reduction for AIDS and cancer suffers, reducing eye pain from the pressure of glaucoma, and seizure reduction for epileptics. Are all equally as important in your eyes?

Has the “War on Drugs” been successful in your view? Why or why not?

Should we continue incarcerating individuals for drug use? If not, what should be done as an alternative? If yes, why do you think we should continue this practice?

Have your opinions changed since the beginning of this course? Why or why not?

Explanation / Answer

Illegal drugs use is increasing in the whole world and efforts should be done to control it. This should be done by keeping in mind public health on forefront. Although legalizing marijuana will generate more expenditure but would have various negative effects also, considering them marijuana should not be legalized.

If marijuana is legalized, it will increase the availability of drug to the youth which will cause worse addiction. It directly effects brain and mental health of individual. It can also lead to mental impairment.

Alcohol and tobacco have caused an adverse effect on public health and lead to many deaths too. They are taxed, but public is facing a much more bad consequences from them compared to the tax benefits. The legalization of marijuana will also have a very bad consequences overshadowing the revenue benefits. It will also lead to increase in accidents as use of marijuana hampers consciousness.

So, illegal drugs should not be legalized as it opens a gateway to their availability and public health should be taken at forefront.

Marijuana is said to be useful in various medical conditions but there is not much research which proves that marijuana has much benefits which can overshadow its risks. In case of AIDS and cancer there are alternate drugs available which are useful. Also, there are marijuana based drugs synthesized and available which can be used at its place. Id researches prove that marijuana and other illegal drugs effective in an emergency condition then they could be used medically under strict regulations and control.

War of drugs is successful as there is decrease in trafficking of illegal drugs and use of illegal drugs compared to past.

Incarcerating should be replaced by treatment or rehabilitation as it can bring a more positive results in individuals using drug compared to incarceration.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse F
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.