Marijuana Legalization

Pyke, A, the guy (2016). The $2.4 billion effects of marijuana in Colorado are a lesson for five states seeking legalization.
In this post, Alan Pyke discusses the economic effects of the legalization of marijuana with a focus on Colorado. Through citing that the weed industry has become one of the leading industries in Colorado, Pyke shows that legalizing marijuana means that the nation reaps more of the gains as consumers grow every day. He further indicates that the cannabis industry was in a position to create jobs in Colorado which contributed to the economy of the country. Being a renowned editor for Think process, Pyke has authored other articles related to poverty, police violence, and criminal justice. By pointing out that the adult use for marijuana for recreational purpose is generating more income for the state, the article contributes to the understanding of the need for legalizing cannabis for economic growth. Smith, S. (2014). The case for legalization is in the bong. The Daily Dot. Retrieved 30 April 2017, from https://www.dailydot.com/via/marijuana-legalization-economic-argument/Smith, in his article, examines the need for states legalizing marijuana for economic purposes. Citing the statistics from the Economist, smith points out that legalizing marijuana is likely to benefit the United States economy with more billions coming from the sector. He further indicates that the various states like Alaska, Washington DC, and Oregon which have approved legalization are likely to enhance their economies from the sales in marijuana for both medicinal and recreational use. The article presents similar opinions from Smith, who in his article “The 9 most damaging myths about abortion on the Internet”, in which he proposes that legalization of abortion will save the united states more money which can be used in developing the economy. The analysis of the economic impacts of marijuana legalization makes the article important for the paper.Boyette, C. (2013). ACLU: Blacks busted for marijuana at much higher rates than whites - CNN.com. CNN. Retrieved 30 April 2017, from http://edition.cnn.com/2013/06/05/us/us-race-marijuana-arrests/Chris Boyette, a columnist at CNN, in his article, Blacks busted for marijuana at much higher rates than whites, demonstrates that legalizing marijuana will reduce the number of arrests the police have to make in the fight against marijuana. For instance, he statistically analyses the demographics of Illinois, Alabama, and Minnesota which he uses to show that there are more blacks being arrested compared to the general population. In order to regulate the racial prejudice and ensure proper criminal justice, the author recommends that the United States should opt for legalizing marijuana. Examining the racial disparity in the arrests made by the law enforcers, Boyette’s article contributes to the content of the paper through recommending for marijuana legalization as a means to fighting criminal injustices.Alexandre, M. (2013). In Legalizing Marijuana, End the Racial Bias. The New York Times. Retrieved 30 April 2017, from https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/05/22/how-can-marijuana-be-sold-safely/in-legalizing-marijuana-end-the-racial-biasMichelle alexander, , in her article In Legalizing Marijuana, End the Racial Bias makes an assertion that prohibition of marijuana is contributing to more arrests that are preventing the victims form accessing the social amenities like housing and education. She points out that the criminal records that the victims end up with are contributing to more criminal activities since such people end up being discriminated against within the society. Besides, she notes that the major arrests made in New York have racial prejudice and therefore legalizing marijuana will ensure that the blacks and people of the color are not arrested on racial prejudice but rather allowed to access the social amenities they deserve. Marijuana as Medicine. (2017). Drugabuse.gov. Retrieved 30 April 2017, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana-medicineThe research by the National Institute on Drug Abuse presents the discussion on medical marijuana and why it has not yet been rated by the FDA as an acceptable medicine. The analysis of the reviews by the FDA indicates that legalization of marijuana will provide an alternative means to resolving the opioid problems that are currently on the rise in the United States. The cross-sectional studies included in the article indicate that medical marijuana, cannabidiol, is becoming increasingly useful in treatment of epilepsy among the American children. As such, the resource is essential for the research paper because of the analysis on the advantages of medical marijuana and how it can be enhanced through legalizationMiller, G. (2016). Could Pot help solve the U.S. opioid epidemic?. Science | AAAS. Retrieved 30 April 2017, from http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/11/could-pot-help-solve-us-opioid-epidemicxThe technology and science journalist, Greg Miller, in his article Could Pot help solve the U.S. opioid epidemic?, discusses the dangers of prohibiting marijuana for use as a medicine. The increasing statistics showing that opioid abuse is on the rise, it has become necessary for the medical practitioners to think of alternative ways to reduce the addiction. According to Reynolds, a physician at Royal College of Physicians, recommends that using marijuana as a medicine will reduce the overdependence on opioids which will prevent the addiction that is currently being observed. Therefore, the examination of how marijuana can be utilized in the medical field as an alternative to resolving the opioid addiction makes the article resourceful for the paper as it provides the medical application of marijuana which indicates that legalizing marijuana is a better resolution.19 Primary Pros and Cons of Legalizing Weed. (2016). NYLN.org. Retrieved 30 April 2017, from https://nyln.org/19-primary-pros-and-cons-of-legalizing-weed The research indicates legalizing marijuana will result in preventing addiction streamlining of law enforcement, and the judicial systems in the United States. Significantly, the article examines both pros and cons of weed legalization, in which case, it allows the researcher to weigh how the pros outweigh the cons associated with the legalization. Through outlining such benefits as safety, medical value, and boosting the country’s revenue, the article is resourceful to the research paper as it creates an insight into the possible benefits associated with the legalization of marijuana by contrasting them with the demerits, in which case, the cons are at a lower level.Is marijuana safe and effective as medicine?. (2017). Drugabuse.gov. Retrieved 1 May 2017, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/marijuana/marijuana-safe-effective-medicineThe article summarizes the debate on whether marijuana can be as effective a drug as it is perceived by the users. Researchers at the US Food and Drug Administration note that the use of marijuana has medical benefits and therefore, it has become apparent for the formulation of nabilone and dronabinol for the nausea treatment incorporates marijuana as a component. Furthermore, the article reveals that the medical practitioners in the United States are experimenting on whether the cannabidiol, which is found in marijuana, can be used in treatment of childhood epilepsy among other forms of diseases. Through discussing the various uses of marijuana as a medicine or a component, the article becomes central for the paper since it offers the medical benefits of legalizing marijuana.Atkins, J. (2017). The Advantages of Legalizing Marijuana. Change.org. Retrieved 1 May 2017, from https://www.change.org/p/the-advantages-of-legalizing-marijuanaJessica Atkins, in her article The Advantages of Legalizing Marijuana, makes a petition that marijuana has been known to be less harmful compared to guns, cigarettes, and alcohol. The widespread sales at the black market is denying the government the tax that would rather be included in the economy of the country. She contrasts the effects of marijuana to those of the cigarettes by indicating that although cigarettes are not prohibited, they tend to be more addictive and cause such diseases as lung cancer, compared to marijuana which is less harmful to the body and consequently less addictive. By citing the various health benefits of marijuana, like reduction of nausea for pregnant women, the article becomes central to the discussion of the paper which pushes for legalization of marijuana.Marijuana Legalization and Regulation | Drug Policy Alliance. (2017). Drugpolicy.org. Retrieved 1 May 2017, from http://www.drugpolicy.org/marijuana-legalization-and-regulationAccording to the recommendation by the Drug Policy Alliance, it is observed that marijuana is being proposed to be treated as tobacco and alcohol, in a sense that, instead of prohibiting the drug, it would be better to set up regulatory policies to its use. The report further indicates that there are numerous state benefits that can be derived from legalization of marijuana in the United States. Among those discusses in the article include creation of jobs through the sale of the weed in the formal market rather than black market, reduction of harm to the citizens and promotion of the safety of the consumers. As a result, the article is significant to the research paper as it outlines the safety recommendations that need to be put in place for legalization of marijuana to take place in the United States.References19 Primary Pros and Cons of Legalizing Weed. (2016). NYLN.org. Retrieved 30 April 2017, from https://nyln.org/19-primary-pros-and-cons-of-legalizing-weed Alexandre, M. (2013). In Legalizing Marijuana, End the Racial Bias. The New York Times. Retrieved 30 April 2017, from https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/05/22/how-can-marijuana-be-sold-safely/in-legalizing-marijuana-end-the-racial-biasAtkins, J. (2017). The Advantages of Legalizing Marijuana. Change.org. Retrieved 1 May 2017, from https://www.change.org/p/the-advantages-of-legalizing-marijuanaBoyette, C. (2013). ACLU: Blacks busted for marijuana at much higher rates than whites - CNN.com. CNN. Retrieved 30 April 2017, from http://edition.cnn.com/2013/06/05/us/us-race-marijuana-arrests/Is marijuana safe and effective as medicine?. (2017). Drugabuse.gov. Retrieved 1 May 2017, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/marijuana/marijuana-safe-effective-medicineMarijuana as Medicine. (2017). Drugabuse.gov. Retrieved 30 April 2017, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana-medicineMarijuana Legalization and Regulation | Drug Policy Alliance. (2017). Drugpolicy.org. Retrieved 1 May 2017, from http://www.drugpolicy.org/marijuana-legalization-and-regulationMiller, G. (2016). Could Pot help solve the U.S. opioid epidemic?. Science | AAAS. Retrieved 30 April 2017, from http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/11/could-pot-help-solve-us-opioid-epidemicxPyke, A. (2016). Marijuana’s $2.4 billion impact in Colorado is a lesson for five states considering legalization. ThinkProgress. Retrieved 30 April 2017, from https://thinkprogress.org/5-states-weighing-marijuana-legalization-would-reap-enormous-economic-benefits-study-suggests-cb06831d154bSmith, S. (2014). The case for legalization is in the bong. The Daily Dot. Retrieved 30 April 2017, from https://www.dailydot.com/via/marijuana-legalization-economic-argument/