The Use of Marijuana in Canada - Literature review Example

Part A: FIRST CHOICE Issue one: Whether or not the use of marijuana in Canada should be legalized and its sales overseen within the nation. Conclusion Statement: Yes, after pondering over the entire socio-politico-cultural scenario of Canada, I feel that the Canadian government must enforce legalization of marijuana. References Canada: Two-Thirds of British Columbia Voters Favor Legalizing Marijuana, Poll Finds. (2009). Drug War Chronicle, 5 August, Retrieved on October 18, 2009, from http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/584/british_columbia_marijuana_legalization_poll Marijuana. (2005). INDEPTH: MARIJUANA. Retrieved on October 18, 2009, from http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/marijuana/ Parloff, R. (2009). How Marijuana became legal. Fortune Magazine, 18 September 18. Part B: Survey, Statistical Study or Experimental Research Study: Name of the survey: Provincial Public Opinion Poll Name of the organization: Angus Reid Strategies Date: May 1, 2009 Number of people studied: provincial sample: 822 adults from British Columbia How were the people chosen: randomly selected sample; online survey Error rate of survey: +/- 3.4 percent, 19 times out of 20 Reliability: Angeis Reid is a market research firm and conducts the survey through its forum. The reliability may be assured because they have been weighted statistically following the most recent data published by Census under the categories: current education, age, gender and region. Review of the study pertaining to marijuana legalization: According to the research findings of leading Canadian organization like Angus Reid Strategies poll, the total number of people supporting legalization of cannabis usage in Canada is much higher than the people who are opposing it. The research, which was mainly conduced among the Canadian adults, especially in the region of British Columbia, has found that, “65% favored legalizing marijuana as a means of reducing gang violence, while only 35% favored increasing marijuana trafficking penalties.” (Canada: Two-Thirds of British Columbia Voters Favor Legalizing Marijuana, Poll Finds”, 5th August, 2009) Gang violence and other forms of criminal activisms are major concerns both for Canadian administration as well as for common people. Due to this reason some people are of opinion that legalization of marijuana will reduce the youths from indulging into this kind of antisocial activities. On the other hand, others are of opinion that implementation of proper penalties is the only solution to solve this problem. Legalization of marijuana will only worsen the whole situation. URL: http://www.angusreidstrategies.com/uploads/pages/pdfs/2009.05.01_BCIssues.pdf Annotated List of Sources in APA style: BeckI, P. (n.d.). Why Canada Should Legalize Marijuana. Retrieved on October 18, 2009, from http://www.rxdirect2u.com/marijuana_news/news-030716-01.html. This article by Peter BeckI has also been written in support of marijuana legalization in Canada. Unlike Ian Welsh, the author has not gone into balancing his arguments between economic and socio-moral perspective. It seems that his entire interest lies in the fact that how Canada can become a more economically prosperous nation. As he has found that legalization of Cannabis will help Canadian economy substantially, he accordingly has come up with his logically correct arguments. Canada: Two-Thirds of British Columbia Voters Favor Legalizing Marijuana, Poll Finds. (2009). Drug War Chronicle, Issue #584. Retrieved on October 18, 2009, from http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/584/british_columbia_marijuana_legalization_poll. This article provides us with quite recent and authentic information about recent Canadian condition on legalization of marijuana. We not only receive adequate information about reaction of politicians and common people on this issue but also we find information about how Canadian drug laws have gradually been modified till this time. This article also focuses over the issue that common people also have different attitudes towards legalization issue of marijuana. Interestingly, they are more concerned about enjoying a socially harmonious existence; rather than seeking for economic prosperity. Thus, their opinion about marijuana legalization is mainly focused over the issue of social integrity. Joffe, A. (2004). Legalization of Marijuana: Potential Impact on Youth. PEDIATRICS, Vol. 113, No. 6, e632-e638. Retrieved on October 18, 2009, from http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/113/6/e632?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=youth+marijuana&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=HWCIT. This article reflects over marijuana legalization in Canada entirely from socio-cultural perspective. What will be effect of the marijuana legalization over Canadian youth, the author has come up with his arguments though this well structured paper. He has judged the issue from different perspectives, namely, historical, social and legal. Despite the fact that he has not shown his explicit inclination towards either sides of the argument but there is an implicit hint of supporting the issue of marijuana legalization from the author because he has found it beneficiary from several perspectives. Ladner, P. (2009). BC's Business Case for Legalizing Marijuana. Business in Vancouver. Cannabis Culture Marijuana Magazine (October 16). Retrieved on October 18 2009, from http://www.cannabisculture.com/v2/content/bcs-business-case-legalizing-marijuana. The article concentrates on the economic benefits of legalizing Marijuana. Both Canada and United States are discussed here. Canada is reported to have more than 2000 medically approved marijuana sellers. In the time of crisis it is advisable to avoi spending too much on fighting against selling pots. Welsh, I. (10th April, 2007). Why Canada Should Legalize Marijuana and How. Retrieved on October 18, 2009, from http://agonist.org/ian_welsh/20070410/why_canada_should_legalize_marijuana_and_how. This article supports the legalization of marijuana in Canada entirely from economic perspective. The author has incorporated sufficient amount of data in this article, which elaborates that marijuana legalization in Canada, will surely add to a great benefit to the overall economic foundation of the nation. At the same time, he also has argued in favor of legalization of marijuana from social perspective also. Increasing use of hardcore drugs among the Canadian young generation is a growing sense of concern. As such drugs are quite costly, young people often undertake criminal steps to obtain money for availing such drugs. Marijuana, being a quite low priced intoxicant, will not only reduce addiction of hardcore drugs but also will slow down the rate of criminal activism.   Historical background: Marijuana was introduced for the first time in Canada in the year 1609. (“The Complete History of Cannabis in Canada”, 26th January, 2009) As a low priced intoxicant Cannabis immediately became favorite of the local inhabitants. Canadian atmosphere also was proved to be quite favorable for growth of Cannabis. Thus, in the context of cannabis cultivation, Canada occupied a significant place in map of the world. In the 17th and 18th century Canada became the main exporter of Cannabis to Europe, as “huge amounts of hemp were needed by all of the European naval powers to outfit their warships, merchants and naval fleets.” (“The Complete History of Cannabis in Canada”, 26th January, 2009) However, drug and public health awareness brought Cannabis under the scope of legal restrictions and consequently, in the year 1923, “Marijuana is made illegal under the Opium and Drug Narcotic Act.” (“Thin separator column END”, n.d.) In the year 1961 the situation became even stricter due to legal restraints but lacunas of law became conspicuous as use of marijuana was gradually receiving stronger support on medical grounds. In the June of 1994, a farmer was “granted a federal licence to grow 10 acres of marijuana for research into the plant's industrial agricultural potential.” (“Thin separator column END”, n.d.) Aftermath there has been several changes in the Canadian legal scenario but the debate regarding legalization of marijuana in Canada continues.     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 pondering over the entire socio-politico-cultural scenario of Canada, I feel that the Canadian government must enforce legalization of marijuana. Reasons: 1. Drug trafficking and desperate efforts to procure money for supporting drug addiction are important reasons for social unrest in Canada. Cannabis legalization will not only create a healthy business environment but being a cheap intoxicant, easy availability of Cannabis will also restrict the youths to indulge into criminal activism. 2. Cannabis legalization will provide the government with an opportunity to collect huge amount of tax from the Cannabis users. The collected amount can be used effectively to reduce national fiscal deficits. 3. Use of marijuana for medical purpose will enhance the standard of average health. It will be easier for the medical institution to experiment on medical values of Cannabis and apply those for further development of national health standard. Scoring grid Survey or Statistical Study or Experimental Research Study (8) o Names and date o Name of organization conducting the survey/study o Sample size, and how chosen o Error rate (if survey) o How useful o Why you think it is reliable o URL o No working URL (0) o Not within last four years (fall 2004) (0) Annotated List of References (10) * 1 (2) * 2 (2) * 3 (2) * 4 (2) * 5 (2) * Two not within last 9 months -4 APA Format (10) (Minus 0.5 for every error in order and punctuation, and -1 for every omitted element.) Historical Background (15 +5 for grammar and spelling) * Relevant legislation * Key events * Key individuals/organizations * Grammar and spelling * Short (up to -10) * Insufficient or no documentation (up to -15) Mixed documentation style (footnotes and in-text citations or just footnotes and no in-text citations) ( -5) Outline for A2 paper (10): · Issue · Conclusion · 3 reasons (numbered, 1 sentence each) Name at the top of the assignment (-2) Last name and the assignment number in the filename of the assignment (-2) Name and assignment number in the drop-box message title (-2) Scoring grid not included in document (-2) TOTAL (58) References BeckI, P. (n.d.). Why Canada Should Legalize Marijuana. Retrieved on October 18, 2009, from http://www.rxdirect2u.com/marijuana_news/news-030716-01.html Cain, B. (2009). War breaks out within the marijuana legalization Movement (part 1). Retrieved on October 18, 2009, from http://www.examiner.com/x-23625-Detroit-Drug-Policy-Examiner~y2009m9d26-War-breaks-out-within-the-marijuana-legalization-movement-part-1 Canada: Two-Thirds of British Columbia Voters Favor Legalizing Marijuana, Poll Finds. (2009). Drug War Chronicle, 5 August, Retrieved on October 18, 2009, from http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/584/british_columbia_marijuana_legalization_poll Joffe, A. (2004). Legalization of Marijuana: Potential Impact on Youth. PEDIATRICS Vol. 113, No. 6, e632-e638. Retrieved on October 18, 2009, from http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/113/6/e632?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=youth+marijuana&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=HWCIT The Complete History of Cannabis in Canada. (1999). True North Hemp Company Ltd, Retrieved on October 18, 2009, from http://www.hackcanada.com/canadian/freedom/hempinfodoc2.html Thin separator column END. (n.d.). CTV. Retrieved on October 18, 2009, from http://www.ctv.ca/generic/WebSpecials/marijuana/index_timeline.html. Welsh, I. (2007). Why Canada Should Legalize Marijuana and How. Retrieved on October 18, 2009, from http://agonist.org/ian_welsh/20070410/why_canada_should_legalize_marijuana_and_how, accessed on: 2nd October, 2009 Read More