In chapter 3, the book Botany of Desire, the author Michael Pollan describes the relationship between humans and Marijuana and the history of its industry. People have started to use it since the Neolithic Age. Although the road of development is kind of tough (being forbade in some countries), marijuana is still one of the most popular things not only in America but also in many other places. According to Pollan, he used to grown a few in his yard, and these were almost found by a local policeman. Probably at that time, there were a lot of people like Pollan, growing some marijuana secretly to satisfied their desires.
In the “Marijuana: A Continuing Concern for Pediatricians” article the author points out the fact that marijuana is in fact “an addictive, mind-altering drug capable of inducing dependency” (Marijuana: A Continuing Concern). After some research this statement has been clearly supported. According to the author of “Marijuana: Breaking Down the Buzz” being under the influence of the drug has led to very poor decisions. Some of the poor decisions teenagers make while being under the influence include; people not completing high school, having failing grades if they are still in school, and doing reckless things while behind the wheel of a vehicle. However, the poor decisions that adults make while using the drug differs from teenagers. Adults
to its present situation in the United States, the contrast between the accusation of marijuana abuse from politicians and the notable amount of people involved in cannabis use during their life time. A prediction that a change of marijuana use will occur sooner or later is also addressed at the end. Students will find this article an interesting angle to introduce the illegalization of marijuana. The contrast between the attitude of politicians and individuals towards marijuana use mentioned above directly lead me to the research topic. The statistics of marijuana use in today’s United States provided in this article describe this problem more specifically and precisely, which also add credibility to its argument. Isralowitz here tries to look at marijuana use in a political way and presents different voices from various social organizations, offering a new perspective to indicate that there are health benefits to be had with marijuana’s use. However, the context of this article reveals a preference for marijuana legalization and a prospective shift in values of marijuana without showing solid evidences to prove Isralowitz’s
The term substance abuse is predominately used to signify an unhealthy and devitalizing obsession on a mind-altering chemical substance. In addition, it is most often used to refer to illegal drugs as well as legal, regulated substances such as prescription medications and alcohol. Drug abuse is usually considered a punishable offence by many countries and is also regarded as being personally and socially detrimental. Three major sociological paradigms including functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism delve in to the world of addiction as well as the controversies that surround this social issue.
Drug abuse can result from other social problems in society like poverty and inequality. Functionalists believe that a certain amount of drug use actually helps society function as a whole for both drug users and the criminal justice system. Drug use is a reaction to
Drugs are the dangerous substances that will destroy the consumer both physically and mentally; therefore, it is necessary to determine these substances restrictively. In order to do that, I am strongly assuring that the drugs should be legalized. There are three main reasons why the drugs should be legalized: diminution of crime rates, health guarantee, and extending of drugs regulation.
The legalization of drugs has been at the center of interminable debate. Drugs have widely been perceived as a dominant threat to the moral fabric of society. Drug use has been attributed as the source responsible for a myriad of key issues. For instance, it is believed that drugs have exacerbated the already weak status of mental health in the United States in which some individuals suffering from mental illness administer illicit substances such as heroin or cocaine in an attempt to self-medicate. Moreover, drugs are blamed for turning auspicious members of the community into worthless degenerates. Thus, vast efforts have been made to regulate the alleged drug problem through various avenues. For example, programs have been created to steer
People have used substances throughout history. Drug use and abuse can be caused for a variety of reasons. It’s been intertwined in our “rituals, religions and social functions throughout history” (Stevens & Smith, pg. 4). When a drug
“But addiction is another one of those words— dismissive, full of judgment, too encompassing—and while that is to some extent on the mark, a cautionary on many levels” (pg. 8). This section directly relates to the taboo recreation idea of addiction and is one of the reason drugs are considered taboo. Unlike other forms of leisure drugs can affect your body in such a way that you need them and without them you will experience withdrawals. Because of the physiological effects many drugs are illegal and so are a form of formal disobedience.
Although, still a level 1 controlled substance, its uses as a medicine and as a recreational drug has lead to laws being passed relaxing restrictions upon its use and possession (DEA declines to loosen restrictions on medical marijuana, 2016, para. 1). Nearly half the states within the United States of America have some form of legalized marijuana and the case has been brought to the federal government a plethora of times. Even though it is legal in the majority states researchers cannot delve deeper into the effects of marijuana in the long term (DEA declines to loosen restrictions on medical marijuana, para. 4). Huxley (1932) wanted drugs to be openly used as long as it was used in the correct medium in a safe place. Huxley (1932) respected that people feel the need to release themselves from their society, and displayed this throughout his novel. If Huxley were to live in the current era, he would most likely be proud of the recreational use of drugs only in respect to marijuana. Huxley would not be approving of some of the harder drugs used and the addiction caused by it. The newly created drugs are far more addictive than those Huxley witnessed be abused during the Roaring Twenties. Substances such as cocaine have a much greater effect on the user and this causes a much stronger addiction (Drug addiction and abuse, 2016, para.
Robert Margolis, worked for more than 20 years with teenagers who smoke marijuana, wrote an article about the harmful effects of marijuana, “Legalizing Marijuana Would Harm Teenagers”, and states “According to NIDA, that marijuana is a drug that can and does cause addiction. THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, activates the brain 's reward system in the same way as other drugs of abuse—by triggering the release of dopamine. Charles Stimson advises that the Citizens also should not overlook what may be the greatest harms of marijuana legalization: increased addiction to and use of harder drugs. In addition to marijuana 's harmful effects on the body and relationship to criminal conduct, it is a gateway drug that can lead users to more dangerous drugs. Prosecutors, judges, police officers, detectives, parole or probation officers, and even defense attorneys know that the vast majority of defendants arrested for violent crimes test positive for illegal drugs including marijuana. They also know that marijuana is the starter drug of choice for most criminals. Whereas millions of Americans consume moderate amounts of alcohol without ever "moving on" to dangerous drugs, marijuana use and cocaine use are strongly correlated.
In the last twenty years, marijuana has become more effective and addictive. Overusing marijuana for a long term has increased the number of crimes, such as smuggling and drugs; which are considered as negative impacts for the society. Based on the data, the marijuana addicts in the world reached 27 million people in 2012. Moreover, The UN said if 5% of the world’s population have been using marijuana, so it is not wrong if the number of marijuana case always increasing. Simply put, it appears that society has already experienced the negative effect of marijuana and had already set a perception of it; it is shown by the severe punishment given to citizens who uses marijuana. Some countries allow the usage of marijuana; e.g. possession of marijuana in the range of 3-15 grams are considered legal, granting permission to grow marijuana on a certain scale, and the minimum age to use marijuana; yet, there are some countries that forbid the usage of
Marijuana is an illegal drug in the United States of America, but why is marijuana illegal? Is it not safe? Is it addictive? Will it have a negative effect on society? The medical community is split on this issue; several studies that have been conducted on the effects of marijuana in the adult brain have been inconclusive. The National Institute of Drug Abuse states, “Many people who use marijuana long term . . . may begin to have symptoms such as grouchiness, sleepiness, decreased appetite, anxiety, and cravings.” Harvard Health publishing: Harvard Medical School stated:
According to Bernie Sanders, “It is time to tax and regulate marijuana like alcohol. It is time to end the arrest of so many people and the destruction of so many lives for possessing marijuana”. This argument is important because marijuana is considered a "gateway drug," which has not been scientifically proven. Many people have tried marijuana or at least know someone who has attempted to smoke weed. A person most likely does not know as much as they think they know about what it is or the effects. Connected to this topic, conversations about smoking or legalizing marijuana is being brought up a lot everywhere. Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mix of dried, crumbled parts from the marijuana plant. People sometimes mix it in their food like brownies, cookies, or candy. These are are edibles. People also inhale it using a vaporizer. It is smoked using hand-rolled cigars, cigarettes, or papers filled with weed to make joints, bongs, and pipes. Marijuana smoke usually has a sweet-and-sour odor to it. Many people are attracted by the high feeling of smoking marijuana. It affects everyone differently. After smoking weed, someone might feel relaxed. Another person might be very energetic. A person’s behavior can change like being aroused. Marijuana is a misunderstood drug. Many assume that the use of marijuana is dangerous, but it can be the exact opposite. So why is the legalization of marijuana in the United States such a problem for many people today? Some states have
Marijuana legalization, for whatever reason, has been a topic of heated debate for years now. Different people express different opinions about why or why not it should be legalized for recreational use. The American FDA categorizes marijuana as a Schedule I drug meaning that its benefits are not guaranteed as many people claim. Although the drug has been said to contain medical benefits, the reality is that further research on how and when to use it is needed. Different states have legalized the use of Marijuana for medical reasons. Today the demands are changing in different states. In States such as Colorado and Washington, marijuana has been legalized for recreational use. This move raised several questions as far as decriminalization of marijuana is concerned. Besides portraying the US in a bad light, legalization of marijuana for recreation increases the risk of developing mental problems, increases government expenditure on public health, jeopardizes the future of children, and is a gateway to other dangerous drugs.