Should Marijuana Be Legalized in All States?
Rationale: I am planning to write on the topic of Should Marijuana Be Legalized in All States. This annotated bibliography is a testament to my preparation to write a top-notch research paper on reasons for or against the legalization of marijuana in all U.S. states. The issue of marijuana use is a long-standing issue that continues to attract widespread acclaim owing to its controversial nature. A faction of citizens supports the legalization of marijuana in all states, while some rebut such opinions citing medical and legal implications. This research delves profoundly into the legalities of marijuana and offers reasons for or against legalizing marijuana use. I also provide a personal opinion on the issue, just like every other citizen who believes that his or her views and input matter in finding the closure to this matter. The matter is of global importance because the drug has widespread use, and countries have to expend resources towards healthcare provision for addicted individuals seeking rehabilitation.
Weir, K. (2015). Marijuana and the developing brain. Monitor on Psychology, 46, 48-52
Summary: This article summarizes the status of marijuana use and legalization in the U.S. The article discusses the long-term effects of using marijuana on the adolescent brain. Many adolescents are marijuana addicts because of ease of accessibility in addition to affordability in the country. Weir (2015) argues that despite widespread legalization in U.S. states, it is imperative to research its long-term effects on users, especially adolescents before taking this drastic and unprecedented step/
- Who: Kirsten Weir
- What: The article majorly argues for the legalization of marijuana, albeit with a disclaimer. Weir notes that while many states continue to make laws to allow for the recreational and medical use of marijuana, the regulations should also safeguard the health of adolescents in addition to ensuring that they do not make marijuana easily accessible to individuals outside the recommended age limit. The author argues that adolescents have a higher predisposition to the harmful effects of marijuana than any other age group
- When: 2015
- Where: Featured on the American Psychological Association
- How: The article provides valuable insights into the detrimental effects of cannabis on adolescents and young adults. Therefore, as states legalize marijuana use, they should examine the impacts of such laws on young people in the long-term
Kim, H., & Monte, A. (2016). Colorado Cannabis Legalization and Its Effect on Emergency Care. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 68(1), 71-75.
Summary: The authors conducted a systematic review of the literature to examine the effects of Cannabis legalization in Colorado and its impacts on emergency care. The authors noted that Colorado experienced an exponential increase in the availability and use of marijuana following medical marijuana commercialization; as a result, it is imperative for states with impending marijuana legalization measures to familiarize themselves with acute marijuana intoxication symptoms and their management. Besides, they should be aware of chronic diseases evidenced in emergency departments. Therefore, the researchers suggest that E.D. providers and law enforcers should acknowledge the surge in drivers under marijuana influence and takes measures to correct it.
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- Who: Howard Kim and Andrew Monte
- What: Kim and Monte use Colorado as a case study to investigate the effects of legalizing marijuana use for medical and recreational purposes. They found that following the directive to allow its use, the state of Colorado experienced a surge in the number of E.D. visits related to marijuana use.
- When: 2016
- Where: Colorado at the Colorado Department of Public Health
- How: This academic source that provides essential perspectives on the outcomes of legalizing marijuana, among them being increased E.D. visits. As states continue to weigh in on the debate, it is apparent that they need to consider the impacts on the healthcare sector. Thus, this article will prove invaluable as I develop my research paper and decide the argumentative side to choose from.
ProCon.org. (2018, November 13). Recreational Marijuana.
Summary: The article is a research report that details the arguments for and against legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes.
- Who: procon.org
- What: The authors discuss all the pros and cons related to marijuana use. The issues of impact on the economy, the health sector, costs to society and the government, reduction in use among teenagers, traffic deaths, consumer safety, addiction, impact on black markets, racism, criminal activities, and many others are explored in detail.
- When: November 2018
- Where: Procon.org
- How: From the above ‘what’ section, it is evident that the article provides important information regarding marijuana use that is critical to the development of this paper.
Gardenier, D., Brennan, M., & Weber, L. M. (2017). Should Marijuana be Legalized? The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 13(2), 116-117.
Summary: This article expresses opposing views from nurse practitioners regarding the legalization of marijuana use. One of the nurse practitioners opposes legalization on the grounds of its harmful effects on the user's health due to its poisonous chemicals. The other nurses support legalization for medicinal and recreational use. Weber believes that it will boost the economy by providing a revenue-base for the government while creating employment opportunities. Medicinally, she thinks it will help patients in controlling seizures and pain; besides, legalization will create a safety net because people already use it, albeit illegally.
- Who: Mary Brennan and Lydia Marie Weber
- What: The article entails contradicting opinions from nurse practitioners who have been in the healthcare industry for many years and understand the practical details of marijuana use for medical or recreational purposes.
- When: 2017
- Where: The Journal for Nurse Practitioners
- How: Both nurse practitioners have years of knowledge in the healthcare industry and have practical details about the benefits and shortcomings of marijuana use both in the long-term and short-term. As such, their opinions count towards the generation of my ideas as I prepare for my paper.
Caulkins, J. P., Lee, M. A., & Kasunic, A. M. (2012). Marijuana legalization: Lessons from the 2012 state proposals. World Medical & Health Policy, 4(3-4), 4-34.
Summary: In 2012, several states voted for the legalization of marijuana, which had various implications on health, prices, spillovers, and tax revenues, among other effects. Marijuana legalization, according to this article, differs from national legalization in terms of outcome. Also, legalization at the state level would disrupt the marijuana market by causing sharp price declines at the national level.
- Who: Jonathan Caulkins, Michael Lee, and Anna Kasunic
- What: The article discusses the effects of legalizing marijuana in several states in the U.S. It is noteworthy that state-level legalization differs from federal legalization concerning outcomes.
- When: 2017
- Where: Pittsburgh, USA. Available at World Medical & Health Policy Journal
- How: By understanding outcomes at various levels of governments, it will assist me in having a holistic view and approach to this topic.
Wang, G. (2016). Pediatric Concerns Due to Expanded Cannabis Use: Unintended Consequences of Legalization. Journal of Medical Toxicology, 13(1), 99-105.
Summary: While many states are in constant debates and discussion about the possibilities of legalizing marijuana medical and recreational use, lawmakers and policymakers need to have profound knowledge regarding the unintended consequences as well. Wang argues that marijuana can have various effects on pediatric health at all stages of their growth and development both in the short-term and long-term. Therefore, the author implores the government to conduct thorough clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of using marijuana products such as cannabidiol (CBD) on pediatric patients before incorporating their use in law.
- Who: George Sam Wang
- What: The article sums up short-term and long-term exposure of pediatrics to marijuana use during essential stages of growth such as pregnancy and breastfeeding in addition to other unintentional exposures from medical and recreational users when infused into foods and beverages or smoked. The author argues that such exposure has moderate to severe effects on children’s mental and physical health.
- When: 2016
- Where: Colorado
- How: Passive smoking affects non-smokers to the adverse effects of drug use, and therefore legislation should aim to protect even the non-users, especially the most vulnerable. Children also need protection against exposure to harmful substances as the legalization of marijuana debate to abound across the country. This article offers and a critical angle to the legalization debate, and this is the reason I will include it in my research.
References
- Caulkins, J. P., Lee, M. A., & Kasunic, A. M. (2012). Marijuana legalization: Lessons from the 2012 state proposals. World Medical & Health Policy, 4(3-4), 4-34. Retrieved from https://scihub.bban.top/https://doi.org/10.1002/wmh3.2
- Gardenier, D., Brennan, M., & Weber, L. M. (2017). Should Marijuana be Legalized? The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 13(2), 116-117 Retrieved from https://scihub.bban.top/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2016.12.008
- Kim, H., & Monte, A. (2016). Colorado Cannabis Legalization and Its Effect on Emergency Care. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 68(1), 71-75. Retrieved from https://scihub.bban.top/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annemergmed.2016.01.004
- ProCon.org. (2018, November 13). Recreational Marijuana. Retrieved from https://marijuana.procon.org/
- Wang, G. (2016). Pediatric Concerns Due to Expanded Cannabis Use: Unintended Consequences of Legalization. Journal of Medical Toxicology, 13(1), 99-105. Retrieved from https://scihub.bban.top/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annemergmed.2016.01.004
- Weir, K. (2015). Marijuana and the developing brain. Monitor on Psychology, 46, 48-52. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/monitor/2015/11/marijuana-brain
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