Learning Team Evaluating and Refining Resolutions Presentation ( Legalization of marijuana)
shapoo
legalizationofmarijuana.pptxPHL/458
Lanny Smith, Shannon James, Kanwaljit Kaur,
Carrie Caruthers
February 3, 2014
Professor:
Carrie Woodhouse
Legalization of Marijuana
Table of Content
Original Issue
Initial Resolutions
Critical Examination of Best Resolutions
Evaluation of the Argument
Revised Argument
Refined Resolution with Implementation Plan
Final Resolution
Original Issue
$20 Billion/year on marijuana prohibition
Fighting the battle
2011 over 750k arrests were made
0.1% of prisoners were marijuana possession
Who is using this drug
2012 7.6m Americans
Ages 12 and up
Average age 17.5 years
Medical Usage
20 States allow for medicinal purposes
Laws very – city, county, state
Approved Users
Patient registry
Limit possession amount
We know we have a problem fighting the war on drugs, for several decades. Not only has there been an exorbitant amount of federal money spent to secure our boarders from drug-trafficking, countless lives have been lost and still we are not able to end this battle.
Everyday we are faced with newer, more advanced drugs hitting the streets that can create immediate additions. But what about one of the longest culprits that has plagued our society for many decades, called Cannabis. You may know it by its most common street name of marijuana.
The States and US Federal Government spends nearly $20B a year fighting the war on illegal marijuana use
In 2011, over 1.5 million arrests were made related to drugs, of those, just under half were marijuana users
A survey completed with prisoners showed that less than 1% were in charged with marijuana possession and had no prior convictions, while 18% were for other drug offenses
It is a widely used drug and in 2012 there were 7.6 million Americans using this drug
The ages of users start at 12 years old and go up from there
The average age of those using is 17.5 years old
Since 1996 there has been a heighten focus on allowing individuals with medical eilments to use marijuana and as a result there are 20 states and Washington DC that have approved this drug for medicinal purposes.
The difficult part of this are the differences in how the laws are carried out, from city to county and even on the state level.
To help avoid some of the confusion on who is approved for medicinal usage, there are databases set up for to register patients.
There are also regulations that limit the amount those patients are able to have on their possession for medical purposes.
References for the page:
Office of National Drug Control Policy (http://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/frequently-asked-questions-and-facts-about-marijuana)
Marijuana Prohibition Now Cost The Government $20 Billion A Year (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/20/marijuana-prohibition-costs_n_3123397.html)
One Marijuana Arrest Occurs Every 42 Seconds In U.S.: FBI Report (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/29/one-marijuana-arrest-occu_n_2041236.html)
3
Initial Resolutions
Federal Law Supporting Medicinal Usage
Tighter control of usage
Consistency on medical issues that qualify
National database
Set limits based on illness
Physical and Mental Health check-ups
Approved distributors
Allow States to Vote
Lawmakers establish guidelines
Approved medical officials to oversee
Taxation to be used for state initiatives
Reporting
Lower spending
There remains a lot of uncertainty on the long-term effect marijuana can have on an individual and more testing is needed by the FDA. However, there have been many benefits found to help ease the pain for people suffering from cancer treatment and other ailments. Additionally, there could potentially be revenue opportunities by legalizing the drug and taxing it to help fund state run initiatives and debts.
There are two initial resolutions that we could move forward with.
The first would be to pass a federal law supporting the use of marijuana to aide in medical treatment. This would give the government to have tighter and more consistent controls on illnesses that qualify for the treatment. When an individual has met the medical requirements, they will be entered into a national database for tracking purposes. The government would also have the ability to partner with medical professionals to set limits on the usage based on the ailment. This would also require the approved patients to under-go frequent physical and mental health screenings (pain control, mental stability, addiction). They would also have the ability to approve the who is able to distribute the drug.
The second option would allow the states to manage the process through a state-wide vote. If it is approved, the lawmakers will work together to establish guidelines that will have to be followed throughout the state versus city/county. They will be able to identify the medical experts that will oversee the processes/procedures to ensure treatment for relevant illnesses are identified. This would also allow them to tax the sell to be used for state initiatives. Reporting would be a requirement to the Federal government and could also lower some of the spending on a drug that accounts for less than 1% of convicted prisoners.
4
Appendix
Reference
Office of National Drug Control Policy (http://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/frequently-asked-questions-and-facts-about-marijuana)
Marijuana Prohibition Now Cost The Government $20 Billion A Year (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/20/marijuana-prohibition-costs_n_3123397.html)
One Marijuana Arrest Occurs Every 42 Seconds In U.S.: FBI Report (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/29/one-marijuana-arrest-occu_n_2041236.html)
