TOUCHSTONE 2.1 EVALUATE A SOURCE (2-3 PAGES//500-750 WORDS DOUBLE SPACE)

English Composition II

Date:

Research Question: Should marijuana be legalized?

Working thesis statement: Marijuana use is associated with adverse consequences, including health issues, exceeding the medical use, and thus, it should not be legalized. 

Detailed Outline

I. Introduction: Recent years have seen a considerable shift in attitudes towards marijuana use for recreational and medical use. However, given the adverse consequences, including health issues associated with marijuana use, it should not be legalized, and its criminalization should continue. 

A. Statistic on marijuana use in the U.S.

B. States that have made marijuana use legal.

Source: National Conference of State Legislatures on states that have made recreational marijuana for adults legal.

II. Marijuana use has an adverse effect on cognition.

A. Cognitive function decline

B. Tetrahydrocannabinol act on brain receptors associated with cognitive function

Source 1: Meier et al. page 2662

Source 2: Scott et al. page 593

III. Legalizing increases marijuana use among teens, with deleterious outcomes.

A. Marijuana consumption among teens is high in states that have legalized marijuana.

B. It is harmful to teens since their brain is not fully developed.

C. Impaired cognitive functioning, which persists through adulthood, and leads to poor performance in school. 

Source 1: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration on Marijuana use data

Source 2: Ammerman et al. page 771

IV. Marijuana consumption during pregnancy is detrimental to the mother and the infant.

A. Anemia among pregnant women users

B. Risk of low birth weight

C. Adverse long-term effects following low birth weight

Source 1: Gunn et al. page 6

Source 2: Sturrock et al. page 171

V. Motor vehicle collision risk resulting in injuries and deaths.

A. Marijuana use-related accident statistics

B. High tetrahydrocannabinol in blood among drivers in fatal accidents.

C. Marijuana impairs the ability to judge speed and distance and slows reaction time.

Sources 1: Insurance Journal on data showing increase in accident rates in marijuana states.

Source 2: Rogeberg and Rune, page 1356-7

VI. Marijuana legalization would result in more medical emergencies associated with increased marijuana use.

A. Hospitalizations increase in marijuana legalized states

B. Increased visits for primary care needs

Source 1: Rocky Mountain High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program on marijuana legalization impact in Colorado. 

Source 2: Wang et al. page 240.

VII. Counterargument

A. Marijuana is imperative in lessening suffering in some medical health issue.

B. Tetrahydrocannabinol acts on the brain receptors responsible for relieving pain.

Source: Whiting et al. page 2463

VIII. Conclusion

A. Marijuana use for medical purposes is beneficial to people’s health, but the costs outweigh the benefits. 

B. Marijuana should continue to be criminalized to minimize associated adverse consequences.

Reflection Question

1. Learning to conduct research is important because it is a skill you will use both in academia and in your professional life. It improves critical thinking and empowers you to find information for yourself. Consider the process of researching as a whole. What was the most challenging aspect of the process for you? (2-3 sentences)

The most challenging aspect of the researching process was searching for credible sources to support the arguments presented. This did not end with just locating the source. I had to read the sources to ensure that they contained relevant information. This was tedious and time-consuming. 

2. The working thesis statement is a proposed answer to your research question. It should clearly identify a debatable topic and take a position on one side of that topic. Analyze the effectiveness of your working thesis statement. (3-4 sentences)

My working thesis statement clearly shows my position with regard to marijuana legalization. In this statement, I have pointed out why marijuana should not be legalized, that is, due to adverse consequences associated with marijuana use. I even go ahead to identify health issues as one of the adverse consequences and introduce medical use as a counterargument. As such, my working thesis statement summarizes my entire essay. 

3. A detailed outline is an effective tool for laying out the progression of an argument. It allows you to consider the arrangement and organization of your ideas, as well as choose places to incorporate outside source materials. Review your detailed outline and summarize the argument you've presented. (3-4 sentences)

In the outline, I have summarized important points with regard to my position in marijuana legalization. I have pointed out to cognitive function decline, deleterious outcomes among teens, detrimental to the mother and the infant during pregnancy, fatal accidents, and more medical emergencies as the adverse consequences associated with marijuana use. Medical use has been presented as a counterargument. Sources supporting the arguments are highlighted in the outline.

4. You will use the same topic on three of the remaining Touchstones in this course. What kind of feedback would be helpful for you? What are the specific questions you might have as you go deeper into the research process? (2-3 sentences).

I have tried as much as possible to provide arguments to support my position. However, I would appreciate feedback on any additional information that I would add to make my essay more comprehensive. Also, I have used MLA formatting, and I would appreciate feedback on citation and MLA referencing. 

Work cited