Problem/Solution Essay that the outlne was done on

Dalonda Hill

Increasing the Use of Medical Marijuana Outline

Individual Project 3

Instructor: Lisa Burkart-Uva

03/09/2015

What effects would increasing the use of medical marijuana have on the use and abuse of the substance? The legalizing may contribute in the increase of abuse of the illicit substance among the youth and young adults. Legalizing the use of medical marijuana is the start of a new problem among adolescents since it would greatly influence the perception they have regarding the use of the substance.

Increase accessibility of marijuana among youths because of the legalization of the drug. The legalization of medical marijuana has raised concerns about the increased ease of accessibility of the drug to teenagers from as early as school going teenagers. Research conducted comparing the ease of accessibility of the substance among the youth in the different states where the drug has been legalized and where it has not been legalized. Pairing two stated in the same geographical area, the use of the drug does not show any changes in its use among the youth after the legalization of medical marijuana (Shereen & Denise, 2004). A 95% confidence interval was found thus a conclusion drawn that increasing the use of medical marijuana has no relation with increasing adolescent marijuana (Shereen & Denise, 2004).

Increase use of marijuana among teenagers due to increasing the use of medical marijuana. Increasing the use of medical marijuana is a debatable topic since there is anecdotal evidence that medical marijuana is finding its way among the youth but there is no statistical evidence to prove this (Esther, Madeline, Nikolas, Mcconnel & Otis, 2014). Data extracted from youth risky behavior survey conducted on high school students examining the relationship between legalizing medical marijuana and its consumption shows negative results. Research conducted by Michigan university states that “marijuana use by 10th and 12th graders has risen in the last three years, with roughly one in 15 high school seniors smoking marijuana daily or near-daily” this could be owing to the legalization of medical marijuana making its accessibility to the youths easier (Esther, Madeline, Nikolas, Mcconnel & Otis, 2014).

Long-term and short-term effects from the use of medical marijuana. Marijuana has been used for medical purposes since time immemorial owing to the belief on its medicinal properties. Though it is effective to use the drug its side effects have not been confirmed and whether the drug is used on short-term and long-term basis its effects are still believed to be existing Igor, Raul, Carey &Tanya, 2012).  The long-term effects are not clear, and there are safety concerns including memory and cognition problems, risk for dependence and the risk of children taking it by accident (Esther, Madeline, Nikolas, Mcconnel & Otis, 2014).

References

Esther, K., Madeline, B., Nikolas, Z., Otis, W., Kristin, Mcconnell, J.(2014). The impact of state of medical marijuana legislation on adolescent marijuana use. Journal of adolescent health.

Igor. G. Raul, G. Carey, l. & Tanya, W. 2012. non- acute residual neurocognitive effects of cannabis use: a meta-analytical study. Cambridge: Journal of international neuropsychological society.

Shereen, K. & Denise, Hallfors. (2004). “Sending the wrong message.” Did medical marijuana legalization in California change attitudes about the use of Marijuana. Florida: Florida State University College of Criminology and Criminal Justice.