Study in Legalizing Marijuana - Essay Example

November 26, 2009 Part A2: Survey, Statistical Study or Experimental Research Study: of the survey: Canadian Addiction Survey - Nova Scotia Name of the organization: Health Canada, supported by Canadian Executive Council of Addiction (CECA) and six other different organizations. Date: October, 2007 Number of people studied: provincial sample: 1002 adults from Nova Scotia How were the people chosen: randomly selected sample; Telephone Survey. Error rate of survey: Not given Reliability: CECA and CAS are considered as the apex federal body in health management, responsible authority in various policy matter related issues in Canada. They can be banked upon as their reliability and responsibility as a government body is of highest level. Review of the study pertaining to marijuana legalization: Among the regular users, here is another interesting data -"16.4% reported daily use; 27.0% weekly use;21.2% monthly use; 20.9% less than monthly use; and 14.6% reported no use in the three months prior to the survey . As per another detailed survey, 4 years back by CAS(2005), the use of Cannabis in endorsed by 44.5 % of Canadian population is reported to have Marijuana once in life time and 14.1 % can be considered as addict.70% of 15 to 24 years old have taken Marijuana on regular manner. Against the national average of 44.5%,British Columbia has a fair share of 52.1% and the lower then average percentage that is reported in the province like Prince Edward Island (36.5%) URL: http://www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/publications/CAS-2007.pdf- Nova Scotia Data by CAS http://www.ccsa.ca/2009%20CCSA%20Documents/ccsa-annrpt-2009-e.pdf- page -48 The 2005 Data by CAS (1) Annotated List of Sources in APA style: 1. Economical Benefit: Through it may sound bizarre to us but the legalization of Marijuana not only help in controlling black marketing and subsequent war and law& Order impasse, it will help the federal government to get a considerable revenue in terms of tax that is to be levied upon. In economic perspective, it gives a good profit and the government should en cash out of that. Retrieved on November,26, 2009, from : http://www.canorml.org/background/mjeconomics.html.(2) In his well researched article, Dr Gieringer has cited the price advantages of Marijuana. The facts are amazingly simple. The ounce of fine tea costs $2, the pipe tobacco costs in between $1.25 to 1.5 while the Marijuana costs something in between $5 including labor cost. The same Marijuana, via clandestine drug market, costs any thing in between $150 to $400 per ounce. No wander, this high margin attracts the elements in crime circle, providing the leeway to full fledged gang war. The economic benefits can be pegged up to a staggering $18-19 Billion. 2.The Le Dang Commission Report Perhaps one of the most exhaustive reports of its kind The Le Deng Commission Report of 1972 has covered the entire gamut of the problem. Tabled as "The Report of the Canadian Government Commission of Inquiry into the Non-Medical Use of Drugs, 1972". Le Dang Report still happens to be the frame work of modern Canada Legal system. Retrieved on November,26, 2009, from : http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/ledain/ldctoc.html(3) Le Dang Report still happens to be the frame work of modern Canada Legal system. Exhaustive in nature, the report covers every related aspect which includes-patterns of social history in Canada and USA. The first use (in mid 30) ,World War II scenario where Marijuana effectively penetrates into middle class to University campus till 1971-72. The extensive chemical analysis and side effect analysis of Barbiturates have also taken place in lucid manner. The most significant part is the national and international law. Canadian law acts in tune to the international law - Single Convention of Narcotic Drugs, 1961. The Canadian Narcotic Law complies all specification of these laws and the Canadian laws have also been framed as per the same stringent norms. Through the annals of time, the situation has undergone a see change but the rule has not been changed to keep pace with this demanding time. In this juncture, it is most advisable to take care of these lopsided laws and by laws which are, nothing but historically significant at this juncture. 3. The Medical Aspects:- In accordance to this article in Wikipedia, THC or other metabolites has made Marijuana a potent product which can be used in different ailments including Cancer and AIDS, enabling the patients to fight against pain, in Glaucoma, in Vomiting, the derivatives of Marijuana proves to be extremely helpful . Retrieved on November,26, 2009, from : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_cannabis.html(4) A. Apart from that, recent studies indicate much more possibilities with Marijuana. THC of Marijuana reduces the growth of Lung Cancer up to 50 % B.Brest cancer also can be reduced, courtesy Marijuana. Cannabidiol, a derivative of cannabis can usher the way of non toxic Chemotherapy ,reducing the chances of drug induced toxicity. C.In HIV/AIDS, as per two different studies in University of California(2008) and Columbia University (2008), Marijuana significantly reduces 'Neuropathic Pain' arising out of the disease itself. Similarly, in Brest Cancer treatment, Marijuana has a significant role to play, as per the data available. 4. Marijuana and Lung Cancer : As per Donald Tuskin of University of California in Los Angeles , Marijuana Smoking has less potential to cause Cancer . Retrieved on November,26 from : http://www.ukcia.org/research/MjUseAndLungCancer.php (5) As per the report, Marijuana may not contain carcinogenic materials and the long term use of the same may not attract the risk of cancer. The report states -"While results of experimental animal and epidemiologic studies have been mixed, most epidemiologic studies have been limited by small numbers of heavy long-term MJ users and by sources of possible bias." The study was conducted over a population of 611 patients of lung cancer aged in between 18-59 and the study concluded that the team " did not observe a positive association of MJ use- even heavy long-term use - with lung ca, controlling for tob smoking and other potential confounders." This report significantly busts the all evil image of a useful plant, 5. Marijuana and Drug Regulation:- Not withstanding the myth that drug like Marijuana needs to be banned because of its ill effect, the change that has been evident is being reflected in Drug Regulation as well. Retrieved on 26th November 2009 from http://drugwarfacts.org/cms/q=node/53 (6) The reference appears to be the eye opener - As per the URL " In 2008, 49.8 percent (half) of the 1,702,537 total arrests for drug abuse violations were for marijuana -- a total of 847,863. Of those, 754,224 people were arrested for marijuana possession alone. By contrast in 2000 a total of 734,497 Americans were arrested for marijuana offenses, of which 646,042 were for possession alone." The controlling tool of cannabis or Marijuana, the legalization is also ushers the change- "The Canadian Senate's Special Committee on Illegal Drugs recommended in its 2002 final report on cannabis policy that "the Government of Canada amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to create a criminal exemption scheme. This legislation should stipulate the conditions for obtaining licenses as well as for producing and selling cannabis; criminal penalties for illegal trafficking and export; and the preservation of criminal penalties for all activities falling outside the scope of the exemption scheme." Marijuana and violent behavior: It is the drug war, war lords and the inhospitable milieu that has created havoc not only to the state but to the psyche of our young genre in their formative stage. Retrieved on 27th November, 2009 from : http://www.csdp.org/research/friedman_mjviolence.pdf(7) As per the study made by this group of researchers, "Greater frequency of use of marijuana was found unexpectedly to be associated with greater likelihood to commit weapons offenses; and this association was not found for any of the other drugs, except for alcohol. Marijuana use was also found associated with commission" The study was conducted over 612 samples of African American origin, mainly based in USA though the relevance is there so far the Canadian socio economic structure is concerned. As per the report, Marijuana "can lead to abuse. . . . Teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, drug dealing, violence and crime is far too common.''(Page 53) The tendency of violence which many often leads to culpable homicide can be curbed if the action has been taken. If the legalization of Marijuana came to reality, these trend can be thwarted as per the experts as discussed earlier. Outline: Issue one: Whether or not the use of marijuana in Canada should be legalized and its sales overseen within the nation. Conclusion: Yes, after this vigorous discussion, we came to this conclusion- to minimize various socio cultural maladies; there lies no other option but the legalization of Marijuana. Reasons:1.The overt and covert war like situation, arising out of the regulation of cannabis, can be curtailed down and significant revenue can be generated if we control the Marijuana Sells. 2 When almost half of adult population advocates in favor of the drug, it is nothing but a hoodwinking if we deny the same in the pretext of an almost 30 year old law. The need of the hour is to revamp the law and clear the huddles to a cleaner social Environment. 3.By legalizing Marijuana, we can encourage the research and further usage of this beneficial plant. Our promising scientists will open up so many new vistas of Marijuanain days to come. REFERRANCES 1- :http://www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/publications/CAS-2007.pdf- Nova Scotia Data by CAS And : http://www.ccsa.ca/2009%20CCSA%20Documents/ccsa-annrpt-2009-e.pdf- page -48 The 2005 CAS Report. 2. The information of Dale Gieringer, Ph.D. http://www.canorml.org/background/mjeconomics.html Source: Dale Gieringer has been the state coordinator of California NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) since 1987. He is also Vice-Chairman of the national NORML board of directors, director of the California Drug Policy Forum (DPFCA) and treasurer of the Oakland Civil Liberties Alliance (OCLA). 3 - Le Deng Commission Report- http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/ledain/ldctoc.html 4-- The Medical Aspects- Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_cannabis.html 5- Marijuana and Lung Cancer http://www.ukcia.org/research/MjUseAndLungCancer.php Source : t from the American Thoracic Society International Conference 2006.Marijuana Use and Lung Cancer: Results of a Case-Control Study, [Publication Page: A777]D.P. Tashkin, M.D., Z.-F. Zhang, M.D., Ph, S. Greenland, Dr.P.H., W. Cozen, D.O., T.M. Mack, M.D., H. Morgenstern, Ph.D., Los Angeles, CA, Ann Arbor, M 6-Marijuana and Drug Rehabilitation http://drugwarfacts.org/cms/q=node/53 Source: "Cannabis: Our Position for a Canadian Public Policy," report of the Canadian Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs (Ottawa, Canada: Senate of Canada, September 2002), p. 46. 7-Marijuana and Violent Behavior: http://www.csdp.org/research/friedman_mjviolence.pdf Source : "Violent Behavior as Related to Use of Marijuana and Other Drugs" by Alfred S. Friedman, PhD, Kimberly Glassman, BA, Arlene Terras, PhD: affiliated with Belmont Center for Comprehensive Treatment, 4200 Montunent Road, Philadelphia,PA 19131. Read More