Garrett Knapp, Block 1 Craven, 12/15/11 Issue Discussion Sample Source Analysis Paper Should the federal government

legalize marijuana due to its economic and social benefits or do the cost outweigh the component? Since 1937 possession of Marijuana has been illegal. Even though it has been illegal possession is in fact quite common. The use of marijuana, once considered counterculture, is gaining popularity and could soon become a social norm. The conflict around the law is if we should allow something just because it is popular. Those in favor of legalizing marijuana see its medicinal value. Physicians report the medicinal marijuana is help in treating multiple sclerosis, migraine headaches, severe nausea and vomiting (Prohibition Politics). Marijuana is also seen to help ease the pain which could help with a less harsh death according to Dr. Kate Scennel. The public opinion is very strong in its belief about legalization of marijuana. In a national survey conducted by the Hawkeye Poll Cooperative at the University of Iowa, 65% of those polled were in favor of legalization of marijuana for medical use. In another poll, both liberals and conservatives agreed on the issue. 83% of liberals and 63% of conservatives were in favor of the law involving medical marijuana in California as surveyed by the Field Poll. There is a negative side of marijuana as well. Marijuana is only addicting to a few users, but with that said marijuana is addicting (NIMH). Those who are addicted have trouble with sleeping and weight loss. THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, targets the CB1 receptor in your brain. Those against marijuana point on that this receptor is involved in ones short-term memory and ability to learn (Prohibition Politics). These negative latent functions may outweigh the intended functions of helping patients. With all points taken into consideration, I think we should legalize medicinal marijuana. Its ability to help patients outweighs the negatives. The legalization of marijuana should also come with a harsher penalty on crimes associated with the nonmedicinal type. This will make sure the patients arent every using something that could be paired with more dangerous drugs. Bibliography

Gerber, Rudolph Joseph. Legalizing Marijuana: Drug Policy Reform and Prohibition Politics. Westport (Conn.): Praeger, 2004. Print. "The Effects of Marijuana on the Brain" Nimh.com. National Institute of Mental Health. Web. 15 Dec. 2011. <http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2006/behaviors-not-adhddiagnosis-predict-adolescents-initial-substance-use.shtml>.