Persuasive Essay On Legalizing Marijuana

Marijuana remains the third most popular substance of abuse behind nicotine and alcohol. Should marijuana be legalized for general use and why? For follow-up discussion, respond to at least two of your peers explaining whether or not you agree or disagree with their explanation and why.

Christine Long
6 posts
Re:Module 6 DQ 1

I do not believe in the idea that Marijuana should be legalized. There are reasons why the drug is outlawed, such as Marijuana 's addictiveness, the issue of driving while under the influence of Marijuana, and because of the lack of research that describes the outcomes of long-term Marijuana use. Marijuana is does not have withdrawal symptoms like other drugs. The withdrawal symptoms of Marijuana are headaches, sweating, and a metallic
smell on the palms of the hands. However, due to the potential for addiction and misuse, Marijuana should not, in my opinion be legalized. Research on the long-term effects of Marijuana are not known. Cancer and breathing problems can be concerns for long-term Marijuana smokers. I think that the risks of using the drug, outweigh the positive reasons for smoking Marijuana. If Marijuana were made legal, there would be more issues with DUI 's. If the drug were made legal and a person smoke three joints per week, this would be high dose Marijuana use. Marijuana is so fat soluble that at three joints per week, the THC in the blood of the driver, would never decrease. Legalizing Marijuana is only popular because the war on drugs in failing. "Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul and evangelical leader Pat Robertson both have recently called for the legalization of marijuana due to what they call failed drug war policies" (Hart & Ksir, 2013).
References
Hart, C. L., and Ksir, C. (2013). Drugs, society & human behavior. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Erica Biehl
3 posts
Re:Module 6 DQ 1

I do not think marijuana should be legal. Marijuana was outlawed back in 1937, which I think should be kept that way. (Hart & Ksir,
2012) While it was legalized for medical use, I think that is as far as it should go, especially in California. There is some health concerns linked with marijuana (THC), such as elevated heart rate, reddening of the eyes, can impair driving skills, impairs lung function, and possibility linkage to lung cancer.
(Hart & Ksir, 2012) While marijuana can help alleviate pain and help with other medical concerns, I believe marijuana should be only allowed under medical reasons. If we legalized marijuana we would have to ensure the safety of the community, which would require drug testing when pulled over, to ensure they get a DUI, just like BAC levels for drivers who are under the influence of alcohol. Additionally, there would have to be laws, similar to medical marijuana laws, where you can’t do it in public, has to be within your house, and only allowed to buy certain amount at a given time. Another law that would have to be stated would be the legal age law of buying and smoking marijuana. I think that teenager, especially in high school, are already exposing themselves to underage drinking and experimenting with drug, I do not think we should legalize another drug, for them to get their hard on at an easier way to experiment. The only advantage to legalizing marijuana would to be to tax the heck out of it, so each state can get more money off selling this, but I do not think this should be a reason to legalize it. I think due to the laws that would have to be instated and the health risks connected with marijuana, we should not legalize it. Hart, C. L., and Ksir, C. (2013). Drugs, society & human behavior. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Reply | Quote & Reply
Tyler Mcfarland
4 posts
Re:Module 6 DQ 1

The issue of legalizing marijuana is interesting and one that a few states have already passed.
I grew up in Washington State and then I lived in Colorado State for a while, two states that have both legalized the use of marijuana already. From what I have heard from people still living in Colorado, they wish that they could undo the legalizing of marijuana because there have been more problems since it was legalized than there were prior. Some argue that marijuana is okay to legalize because it is not as dangerous as other drugs like cocaine or methamphetamine. They say that marijuana relaxes and calms the body so it is actually helpful to society. According to the lecture, some of the effects marijuana use are relaxing and in some cases a little too much. It says that marijuana can cause anxiety, fear, depression, distrust, and an overall loss of interest in living (Grand Canyon University, 2014). For a drug that many view as non-threatening I for one do not want this drug out in society with basically unrestrained access to use. It is dangerous, while the effects may be more hidden they are still there and that in a way makes the drug even more deadly if those who use it do not see its negative
effects.
Grand Canyon University, Phoenix. (2014). PCN-527: Module 6: Psychedelics and Hallucinogens. Retrieved from www.gcu.edu

week 2

Max Points: 5.0

Consider the physiological effects of the so-called "designer" drugs. Are these drugs any more dangerous than nicotine or alcohol? Defend your answer. For follow-up discussion, respond to at least two of your peers explaining whether or not you agree or disagree and why.
Christine Long
2 posts
Re:Module 6 DQ 2

"Designer drugs" such as Ecstasy (MDMA) can cause mental and physical problems. MDMA can cause damage to brain cells, depression, psychotic behavior and death. "Some evidence suggests that Ecstasy may be neurotoxic, affecting serotonin neurons in the brain." (Hart & Ksir, 2013). MDMA is a fairly new drug and research is lacking on this drug, but evidence suggests that this designer drug may be just as danger as nicotine and more dangerous than alcohol. For example if MDMA is taken and the death occurs because of acute toxicity, then this would make lead a person to believe the physiological effects of the drug were more dangerous than nicotine or alcohol.
Anther morbid "designer" drug is belledonna. Belladonna is made from the Deadly Nightshade flower. The poison in the flower is anticholinergic hallucinogen, which is contained in the berries and can kill a person upon ingestion. Belladonna is used as a detoxification medication to help with stomach upset. However, the drug is rarely prescribed anymore because of the physiological effects on the body and mind. Some of the effects of Belladonna are mental and lead to criminal activity and weird sexual perversion. Loss of brain cells and death can a progressive or acute. The main physiological differences between MDMA and Belladonna, when compared with the physiological effects of nicotine and alcohol are the acute mental and physical problems that arise from using the "designer" drugs. Death is usually a slow process for a smoker or an alcoholic. however is someone ingests MDMA or Belladonna the result can be immediate death.
References
Hart, C. L., and Ksir, C. (2013). Drugs, society & human behavior. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Consider the physiological effects of the so-called “designer” drugs. Are these drugs any more dangerous than nicotine or alcohol?

This question is a yes and no because designer drugs are those drugs that are research drugs or could be made with any type of chemical which could be dangerous. According to Project Know (2014), “Designer drugs, often found online as research chemicals, are not regulated by the law in many instances. These are sold as powders instead of pills, and they are sometimes labeled “not for human consumption” in order to avoid breaking the law and being prosecuted. Sometimes, these chemicals will be sold under the idea that they are for study or for research with animal testing or other methods. Because these drugs are not well-known or monitored, it is more likely for chemical errors to occur. This can lead to accidental deaths and overdoses”
(p.1).

Even though this is talked about with using different chemicals is it really fair to say they are more dangerous than alcohol or nicotine all drugs cause damage to the body. Nicotine has chemicals in it too that are harmful and alcohol can be made by certain plants and even fruits that can be more harmful so I really can’t say if one is worse than the other. Thank you.

Reference:

http://www.projectknow.com/research/new-and-designer-drugs/
Jennifer Cox
6 posts
Re:Module 6 DQ 2

According to Merriam-Webster, Incorporated (2014), designer drugs are a simulated form of a controlled narcotic substance. It is believed that designer drugs are typically manufactured in an attempt to create a drug that has a molecular structure that slightly differs from the controlled substance while maintaining the desired effects (Hart and Ksir, 2013). It is imperative for health professionals to understand that everyday normal individuals are manufacturing many of the designer drugs in less than sterile environments and with a variety of household chemicals and over the counter medications. This this being said, it is safe to say that designer drugs made in this fashion may be more dangerous than the drugs they are created to replace.
MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is one of the best known designer drugs and it is intended to be a variation of methamphetamine, popularly called Ecstasy (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010). In Los Angeles, California on New Year’s Eve 2009, an overnight dance party, otherwise known as a rave, was held at a public facility where nearly 45,000 individuals attended this well organized and promoted party (CDC, 2010). What seemed to be a fun way to bring in the New Year turned deadly for some party goers when MDMA was distributed (CDC, 2010). Unfortunately, 30 individuals from the rave experienced an altered mental status, alcohol intoxication, drug overdose, and were treated at local emergency departments (CDC, 2010). Regrettably, a healthy 24 year old male was found dead in his home on January 1, 2010 and one individual was admitted into the ICU with seizures, muscle deterioration, renal failure, and hepatic failure both individuals overdosed due to MDMA usage from the rave (CDC, 2010). While the number of attendees to the number of medically treated or dead individuals from this rave is small, it appears that a onetime use of MDMA can wreak havoc on the body and mind whereas alcohol and nicotine use and abuse is a cumulative effect. References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010). Ecstasy overdoses at a New Year 's Eve Rave -- Los Angeles, California. MMWR: Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report, 59(22), 677-681. Retrieved November 22, 2014 from http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=2010681808&site=ehost-live&scope=site
Hart, C. L., and Ksir, C. (2013). Drugs, society & human behavior. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. (2014). Designer drug - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved November 24, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/designer drug
Nshea Tillman
3 posts
Re:Module 6 DQ 2

Consider the physiological effects of the so-called "designer" drugs. Are these drugs any more dangerous than nicotine or alcohol?
The drugs that are considered more dangerous are MDMA, whch is ecstasy, which destroys the brain cells and eats awat at them. These designer drugs are considered part of research purposed and how they affect the body internally. With that being saif any drug will have their cause and effect and all drugs will eventually damage organs and kill you. I feel that nicotine and alcohol have slower affects on the body and the slowly damage your inside, whereas the designer drugs immediatly start taking the affect in the body which will not prolong any death or sort. Hart, C. L., & Ksir, C. (2013). Drugs, society, & human behavior (15th ed). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill