... Marijuana: Why It Should Be Decriminalized Nearly twenty thousand people die from prescription medication overdose in the United States each year. By federally decriminalizing medical marijuana, these statistics can be changed. Prescription drugs, and over-the-counter medications are the leading causes of accidental overdose related death in the United States. Logistically speaking, it makes no sense for an ancient herb, with known medical and physiological benefits to be federally criminalized. By legalizing medical marijuana at the federal level, certain crimes have shown a decrease. Similarly, states with medical marijuana legalization have also shown a decrease in prescription pain killer addiction and overdose related deaths. In fact, there have been no known deaths which could be directly contributed to marijuana use. Statistics show that cannabis is a safer and smarter alterative to prescription medications. Maintaining a federal prohibition on marijuana for medical use not only unethical, it is inhumane. Marijuana must be federally decriminalized, not only to improve lives, but to save them as well. The benefits of using medical marijuana are astounding. The active ingredient in marijuana, THC (delta-9-tetracannibidnol) has been proven to slow the growth of tumors in cancer patients. Studies show that tumors found in the lungs, breasts, and brain showed a substantial decrease when treated with marijuana. Traditionally, physicians treat...
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...in Colorado passed Amendment 20, which enabled patients and their caregivers to obtain a restricted amount of marijuana from medical dispensaries. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment created and informal rule prohibiting caregivers from providing medical marijuana to more than 5 patients at a time and were subsequently sued for the policy by Sensible Colorado, Colorado’s medical marijuana distribution system. In 2007, Sensible won the lengthy hearing, and its victory made way for store-front dispensaries throughout Colorado. Fast forward November 2012, 55% of Colorado’s voters were pro-Amendment 64. Amendment 64 made recreational marijuana use legal to anyone age 21 or older. This law was made...
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...in Colorado passed Amendment 20, which enabled patients and their caregivers to obtain a restricted amount of marijuana from medical dispensaries. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment created and informal rule prohibiting caregivers from providing medical marijuana to more than 5 patients at a time and were subsequently sued for the policy by Sensible Colorado, Colorado’s medical marijuana distribution system. In 2007, Sensible won the lengthy hearing, and its victory made way for store-front dispensaries throughout Colorado. Fast forward November 2012, 55% of Colorado’s voters were pro-Amendment 64. Amendment 64 made recreational marijuana use legal to anyone age 21 or older. This law was made...
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...SEMINAR Political Advocacy Assignment FORM Name:_Kelsey Stone_________________________ Bill Origin: House_______ Senate__X_____ ATTACH A COPY OF THE FULL-LENGTH BILL TO THIS SHEET. Target population: The target population is persons with debilitating medical conditions. This bill would provide for the legal use of cannabis for certain debilitating medical conditions and protection amongst healthcare providers from arrest and persecution for prescribing their patients access to cannabis. The bill would also allow “qualifying patients” that meet certain criteria, a medical card, to access cannabis sold at a compassion center. The purpose of this act is to protect patients with debilitating medical conditions, as well as their practitioners and providers, from arrest and prosecution, criminal and other penalties, and property forfeiture if such patients engage in the medical use of cannabis. Summarize the Bill: The bill will force the law to make a distinction between the medical and recreational uses of cannabis. It will protect patients with debilitating medical conditions, as well as their practitioners and providers, from arrest and...
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...The Legalization of Marijuana in the United States and the Positive Effects it produces for the United States Brandie N. Krantz Ashford University ENG 122: English Composition Instructor Imani Muhammad December 1st 2014 The Legalization of Marijuana in the United States and the Positive Effects it produces for the United States Marijuana should be legalized in the US because it would aid in alleviating symptoms of certain medical conditions, reduce the cost of manpower associated with prosecuting these crimes and create job, which would stimulate the economy for positive growth. Marijuana for Medical use National Academy of Science’s Institute of Medicine have shown that marijuana can help curb pain, nausea, AID-related weight loss and increase appetite. Studies have shown that patients who were using marijuana report easing of symptoms from a variety of conditions including MS, glaucoma and rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers also found that the active components found in cannabinoids may treat symptoms from Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Epilepsy. In the journal “AIDS Care” (2007; 19(2): 295-301) it shows that with the use of marijuana there are positive effects for people living with AIDS/HIV. This study shows that people living with AIDS/HIV chose to administer marijuana to help with nausea. (Braitstein et al., 2001; Fairfield et al., 1998; Furler et al., 2004; Prentiss et al., 2004) “Marijuana and oral THC can also stimulate the appetite and have been associated...
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...Legalization of Marijuana Tina Washington Everest University March 3, 2015 Abstract The prohibition of marijuana has brought forth multiple passionate debates for many years in reference to its effects on the human body, its medicinal properties, and its effect on society. Even though there are many people who are opposed to the legalization of marijuana, this paper will dispute that the legalization of marijuana is justified. This paper will provide proof by measuring marijuana’s effects on the human body when ingested by inhalation against the effects on the body when consuming alcoholic beverages and smoking tobacco, by submitting research facts on its medicinal qualities, and providing you with information on how the use of marijuana can benefit a lot of people as well as our nation as a whole. Legalization of Marijuana Legalization of marijuana is wide spread. There are so many benefits to it such as helping those with medicinal issues like anxiety, AIDS, Cancer, glaucoma, etc. Being able to assist someone without throwing pills down their throat is certainly a better approach. Most people don’t know this, but there are 18 states that have already gotten on the band wagon of legalizing marijuana. Colorado and Washington are the two most recent states that adopted this law. Not only is it a great way to aid in certain medical issues, but it is also a way for the states and our government to generate revenue...
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...The use of medical marijuana has been met with both acceptance and disdain for many years now. In the article “The case for medical marijuana in epilepsy” in the journal Epilepsia, Edward Maa gives us insight into the story of Charlotte Figi. Charlotte is a young girl in Colorado that had been diagnosed with Dravet syndrome. Her mother Paige Figi tried an exhaustive regimen of medications, therapy’s, and hospital stays to try and combat this disease. Convulsions were hitting a high mark of around 50 per day and after the use of specific cannabis extracts, specifically CBD, they were lowered to 2-3 per month. Medical marijuana has been used to treat epilepsy successfully, the case of Charlotte Figi shows us its usefulness and the effects cannabis had on her convulsions....
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...in humans? What is the connection between how a society defines health and how it pursues health? Has increased access to technology changed that perception over the last decade? Discuss the connection between health policies, health determinants, and health. Abstract Health policies, health determinants and health are all categories that are intertwined with one another. As technology becomes more advanced within the health industry, society’s perception on healthcare may change for the better or for the worst. And with the new technology, new policies arise. Deliberate the ways that health can be conceptualized by a society. The World Health Organization makes a concept of health in a way that a patient should be cared for in all aspects of their well-being. This not only includes the physical concepts but also the social and psychological components of their health. What this means is that society should not only conceptualize health but also pursue health in all of the areas mentioned. There are many influences to our health whether it is our beliefs, the economy, social and cultural way of living, physical environment and the circumstances that we are dealt with. With that being said, health is the basic and dynamic force that affects the way we live our life. An example of factors that impact health positivity is: nutrition, exercise, hygiene, education and etc. What are the factors of health in humans? ...
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...recreational use of marijuana for adults. It also allowed people convicted of marijuana charges to petition courts to toss out the cases or reduce penalties. Therefore, it would be appropriate to release jailed individuals who are convicted of minor marijuana offenses. “Fundamentally, I think it’s incredibly unjust for anyone to keep being punished for activity that is no longer a crime,” said Rebecca Kaplan, Oakland council member. Doing so would serve tremendous benefits to the communities, families, financial, medical etc. Many people who are incarcerated for simple possession with felonies, once released, find it hard to obtain jobs, community housing, vote, or even receive federal funds for college. Removal...
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...public against the adulteration of food and also from the products which were identified to be healthful without the scientific support. It was applied to the goods that were shipped in the foreign commerce. The main reason was to safeguard against misbranding or adulteration. The adulteration was as a result of poisonous color or flavor in food or even various ingredients that which would be harmful to the health of humans. The provisions included development of the food and drug administration that was entrusted on with the charge of testing of all drugs and foods that was meant for human consumption (Curtis, 2013). The provisions required that there be prescriptions from the licensed physicians prior to purchasing certain drugs by the patients. There were also requirements for the label caution for drugs that are addictive. In case a distributor or a manufacturer were caught offending this enforcement they were liable for prosecution by the central government. However distributors were not entirely liable to this action if they could show a sufficient guarantee from the vendors (Curtis, 2013). The pure food and drug act also required that certain drugs inclusive of alcohol, heroin, cocaine, cannabis and morphine to be labeled accurately with dosage and contents. This act also required that chemical examinations of the food and drugs specimens shall be conducted in the bureau of chemistry of the Agricultural department. Chemical experiments could also be conducted following supervision...
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...second term as President of the United States, weed smokers across the nation rejoiced for another reason. That very same day, a groundbreaking law was passed legalizing the recreational use of marijuana in Colorado and Washington. In the eyes of many avid smokers, this law was just as monumental as landing on the moon was for Neil Armstrong: one small step for man and one giant leap for mankind. Despite the fact that marijuana is legalized for recreational use in these two states and legalized for medicinal purposes in 16 others, the drug is still forbidden under federal law, meaning marijuana is still an illegal drug. For decades, the subject of legalization has been a recurring theme in Washington and state governments. Should marijuana join the ranks of alcohol and cigarettes and be made legal? No, we must realize the damaging health effects and the detrimental societal/cultural effects that legalizing marijuana could have on Americans in the future. Although there are some advantages to legalizing marijuana in the United States, the disadvantages tremendously outweigh any advantages when considering this touchy topic in politics. Of course, there has been research conducted that states that marijuana could be positive for the nation. Advocates to legalization suggest that if marijuana were legal, it would tremendously boost the economy, forcing drug dealers out of business. Roberto Trevino and Alan Richard explain the economic gain America would experience, stating “economists...
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...legRunning Head: Should marijuana be legalized? Should marijuana be legalized? Should marijuana be legalized? There are various reason why people smoke or have smoked marijuana. The reasons may range from extracurricular drug use medicinal uses and anywhere in between. The positive effects medical research states marijuana can assist with cancer patients and terminally ill individuals, but only for pain reduction and appetite increases. In the case of glaucoma the pressure from the eyeballs are reduced by the blood flow changing with the effects of THC. While there may be some positive effects for use of marijuana, the negative effects outweigh positives effects. It is a known fact that marijuana has more tar in the leaf than tobacco accompanied with the mind altering affects of THC in the blood stream are enough to make anyone want to avoid the life altering risks. Marijuana is also know as a gateway drug. Legalizing marijuana would not be as beneficial as some may believe. For those individuals who may still be undecided on whether to support the legalization of marijuana or not, below are a few key points to aid in their decision making. While some suggest the benefits of marijuana outweigh the negative, not enough research has been conducted to determine this. The immediate and long term effect could be substantially dreadful. Some of the immediate effects of marijuana are hallucinations, paranoia, and psychotic episodes. Also, stimulant psychosis may also...
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...Edward Lewis Ms. Hollinger English 115-02 21 April 2015 Legalizing Marijuana Marijuana should be legalized within the United States. Marijuana has become more accepted in today's society. Celebrities are becoming more open about their use of marijuana, and some college campuses have changed their punishment for possession to merely $100 fine. Marijuana should be legalized because it does not cause a threat to society. Marijuana has also been prescribed to help children with epilepsy and seizures. Marijuana also known as cannabis has been used to treat eight medical conditions: cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, muscle spasms, seizures, severe pain, severe nausea, cachexia, or extreme weight loss and muscle atrophy. The most recent impacting story that involved cannabis was seen on CNN. A little girl named Charlotte has been suffering from seizures from the age of three months old. Her seizures would last up to three hours on a bad day, and she was constantly hospitalized. Her father who was in the military took a leave of absence because Charlotte was constantly in the ICU. Charlotte struggled with her seizures despite all of the physicians medications and diet plans. It wasn't until her parents found a doctor that would prescribe cannabis as an alternative for all of her other medications that were not effective. Charlotte had one seizure less than an hour after ingesting the cannabis in a capsule. After the seizure was over she did not have another one which proved to her...
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...Marijuana is one of the world’s oldest plants to come to wide practice of production, sale, and consumption originally used for medical purposes. This generated rapidly growing industries based around the variety of uses for the easily grown plant species. Hemp has been used for a variety of everyday purposes in Americas past including paper, clothing, food, and fuel; the economic potential for this plant type surpasses many plants which are considered staple crops today. Marijuana is America’s number one cash crop surpassing corn and other items. Its decriminalization would open new tax revenues and slash old tax budgets as funds are re appropriated to satisfy a hungry criminal justice system. There have been many non-violent convictions in the justice system that costs the country potentially hundreds of billions of dollars every year and have since the start of the war on drugs during the Reagan era. These convictions could be avoided if the government let each American decide if the production and consumption of marijuana violated their moral and ethical values as individual liberties. As Americans, we are given, at birth, unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the freedom to pursue happiness through whatever means beyond any clear and eminent harm. The combined benefits that would be experienced from legalization are obvious, evident, and too important to remain illegal; the decriminalization of marijuana is more a matter of time due to the variety and abundance of positive...
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...Krystal Colosimo Mohawk Valley Community College Abstract This paper explores the psychological effects of street drugs, classified as legal, illegal and controlled substances. The legal drugs that I cover are caffeine, alcohol and nicotine. The illegal are marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy and heroin. I will also discuss controlled substances, but mainly in reference to prescription pills. I discuss the short-term and long-term effects of all the drugs I cover as well as withdrawal symptoms. I will close with drug abuse treatment help and support and follow with my conclusion. Psychological Effects of Street Drugs A street drug is defined as any substance taken for nonmedical purposes. They can be legal or illegal and are comprised of amphetamines, barbiturates, opiates, psychoactive drugs and as well as natural sources. A drug is a chemical substance that has known biological effects on humans. For this paper I will be discussing drugs under the three categories of being legal, illegal and controlled substances. The most common legal drugs I will discuss are caffeine, alcohol and nicotine. The more common illegal drugs that I will discuss are marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy and heroin. There are numerous controlled substances as well and it is defined as a drug or chemical that is regulated by the government. For controlled substances I will only be covering prescription pills. Legal Drugs Caffeine is a central nervous stimulant...
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