debating marijuana legalization

/in /by

Debating Marijuana Legalization

Choose a side of the marijuana legalization debate. You need to either be “for” or “against” marijuana legalization. Pick a side, and use the most current data available from the medical and legal communities to support your position.

Submit by Day 7 a PowerPoint presentation (10 slides) for a “mixed audience” (e.g., town hall setting). Explain your position for the reason(s) marijuana should or should not be legalized. Ensure your presentation is data-based, and addresses the interests of each possible constituent within your audience (e.g., law enforcement, psychologists, community members, government officials, DEA agents, etc.) in an accessible and compelling way. Be sure to incorporate current research on the effects and treatment of marijuana use to support your position.

Support your Assignment with specific references to the Learning Resources and any additional references you used.

Readings

  • Julien, R. M., Advokat, C. D., & Comaty, J. E. (2014). Julien’s primer of drug action: A comprehensive guide to the actions, uses, and side effects of psychoactive drugs (13th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers/Macmillan.
    • Chapter 6, “Caffeine and Nicotine” (pp. 167–200)
    • Chapter 7, “Cocaine, the Amphetamines, and Other Psychostimulants” (pp. 201–236)
    • Chapter 9, “Cannabis” (pp. 267–296)
  • McKim, W. A., & Hancock, S. D. (2012). Drugs and behavior: An introduction to behavioral pharmacology (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
    • Chapter 8, “Tobacco and Nicotine” (pp. 182–208)
    • Chapter 9, “Caffeine and the Methylxanthines” (pp. 209–227
    • Chapter 10, “Psychomotor Stimulants” (pp. 228–253)
  • Sigmon, S. C., Herning, R. I., Better, W., Cadet, J. L., & Griffiths, R. R. (2009). Caffeine withdrawal, acute effects, tolerance, and absence of net beneficial effects of chronic administration: Cerebral blood flow velocity, quantitative EEG, and subjective effects. Psychopharmacology, 204(4), 573–585.
    Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). Drugs of abuse.Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse
  • U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. (2012, June). Drug fact sheets. Retrieved from http://www.justice.gov/dea/druginfo/factsheets.shtml