Running head: ARTICLE REBUTTAL

Article Rebuttal Kelli Lorenc BCOM/275 May 21, 2012 Tony Salinger

ARTICLE REBUTTAL Article Rebuttal The article I have chosen to rebuttal is Legalization of Marijuana (Arguments Against) there are three main points that I am going to discuss and argue. First, that after marijuana became legal in the nether lands the consumption tripled with young adults. Secondly, the statics of

individuals with marijuana in their system being responsible for 12% of non fatal and 16 % of fatal accidents. Finally, I will discuss the dangers of marijuana. Point 1 According to "Legalization of Marijuana" (2006), After marijuana became legal and sold in smoke shops in the Netherlands, consumption nearly tripled among 18 to 20 year olds. (para. 5). However, Marijuana use has not tripled among young adults by legalizing it has the opposite effect below is a chart showing that the Netherlands marijuana use rates are less than half of the United states use. According to "Dutch Drug Policy Even More Effective Than Previously Thought!" (2006-2011), EVER USED USA DUTCH 32.9 15.6 PAST YEAR USED USA DUTCH 9.0 4.5 PAST MONTH USA DUTCH 5.1 2.5

(Illegal drug use in the U.S. and the Netherlands (1997) ). Point 2 According to "Legalization Of Marijuana" (2006), Accident records from one study showed that up to 12% of non-fatally injured drivers and up to 16% of fatally injured drivers had marijuana in their bloodstream(para.7.)

ARTICLE REBUTTAL However, the claims made in this statement are not accurate because marijuana can show up in an individuals blood stream after 30 days of actual consumption. Because of this it is inaccurate to state an individual was under the influence at the time of the accident. Point 3

According to "Legalization of Marijuana" (2006), Smoking a marijuana cigarette deposits about three to five times more tar into the lungs than one filtered cigarette. Smoking three to four joints per day causes as much harm to the respiratory system as smoking a full pack of cigarettes a day. Marijuana smoke contains 50 to 70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco smoke. (para. 6). The "Marijuana Smoke Not as Damaging as Cigarette Smoke" (2012) website states that according to a study done for over a 20 year period, shows that marijuana can increase ones lung capacity and air flow rates. Although, according to "Marijuana Smoke Not As Damaging As Cigarette Smoke" (2012) "Those increases were not large, but they were statistically significant. And the data showed that even up to moderately high-use levels one joint a day for seven years there is no evidence of decreased air-flow rates or lung volumes." (para. 3). Furthermore, it has been shown through several studies that marijuana is not toxic to humans the overdose rate is not even possible for a single individual to consume, there is no evidence that supports marijuana having ever caused any medical deaths. (Get the facts. (2011)). However, it can help individuals with serious medical problems below is a chart with just a few examples: According to ( 2011)

ARTICLE REBUTTAL

Condition Cancer Chemotherapy often causes extreme nausea and vomiting AIDS-related wasting Low appetite, loss of lean (muscle) mass Pain and Muscle Spasms Associated with epilepsy and multiple sclerosis sclerosis

Marijuana Treatment vomiting and nausea, alleviates pretreatment anxiety. 8 Improves appetite8

ease incontinence of bladder and bowel and relieve depression.8 Reduces pressure within the Glaucoma eye.8 A progressive form of blindness due it may also reduce blood But to increased pressure inside the eye nerve, flow to the optic exacerbating the loss of vision.

Asthma

Can help open up the lungs of an asthma attack victim.6

(Pro's for Legalization, para.)

In conclusion, this article is trying to make a valid argument against legalizing marijuana with false and invalid information. Furthermore, the statements made are scare tactics to try and persuade the population against legalizing marijuana, because they have little to no evidence to support their claims. The arguments with in this article can be found to be invalid due to the information I have found against the article.

ARTICLE REBUTTAL References Dutch drug policy even more effective than previously thought!. (2006-2011). Retrieved from http://www.csdp.org/ads/dutch2.htm Legalization of Marijuana. (2006). Retrieved from http://www.elon.edu/eweb/students/civic_engagement/election_2006/legalizationofmarijuanaarguments against.xhtml Marijuana Smoke Not as Damaging as Cigarette Smoke. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.cbs42.com/content/health/story/Marijuana-Smoke-Not-as-Damaging-asCigarette-Smoke/K7sfyNgGMUeaFbFKwN4q7Q.cspx Marijuana Today. (2011). Retrieved from http://marijuanatoday.com