1 Running head: THE CASE OF LEGALIZING MARIJUANA

The Case of Legalizing Marijuana Joshua Baeza UTEP

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Abstract This paper looks at both the disadvantages and advantages of marijuana use and legalization. This is done by examining results of IQ depreciation in users, the constructs of the brain where THC reacts, and the negative effect it has on an economy with results from a study of the Maori civilization. The health benefits are presented i.e. its effectiveness against HIV/AIDS and arthritis. The result of the legalized state of Colorado is examined in the profits it gained, the abuse of the law it experienced, and the current state it is in. The report urges the reader to respond to the text in asking what would be the best response for the United States in the question of legalization.

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Cheech and Chong, That 70s Show, Half-Baked, and Pineapple Express are just a few of many movies that are filled marijuana and potheads sharing their funny adventures with the public. However, theres more to the drug than just rolling it up and hanging out with the clouds. The reason why legalizing marijuana is such a debatable issue is because of its positive yet also negative impacts it has on a person and the economy. The purpose of this report is to determine the effectiveness or disadvantage of legalizing marijuana. We will do this by examining cannabis research on how it affects persons in their behavior, their health, and the economy in their community. Also, well look at the immediate and long term reactions to the use of marijuana. Marijuana may hurt a persons future IQ, future in education, and motivation. Marijuana

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use is detrimental to a persons mind. It starts with the natural endogenous cannabinoids that are already in a persons brain and are active. This is seen in the image from the article by Guzman (2003). Above is shown the chemical make-up of both THC (marijuana) and AEA (endogenous) cannabinoids. The diagram is very technical but it clearly shows how in a human being the AEA cannabinoids (green triangles) naturally inhibit the receptors from Ca2 which in turn slows production of neurotransmitters (NT, blue circles) which are responsible for learning, movement, and memory. When marijuana is consumed these endogenous cannabinoids are enhanced and thus slows the production of neurotransmitters substantially prohibiting learning skills, movement, and memory. Using information from Khamsi (2013) and Fried (2002) IQ and education loss is seen in frequent marijuana users. Khamsi (2013showed that early users lost an average of 8 IQ points by the age of 38 (p.34-36). This shows a long term effect on the mind. Frieds (2002) research revealed that 17-20 year olds who used the drug heavily lost 4.1 IQ points since they were 9-12 years old. Another aspect is the lack of motivation. Marie (2008) researched the Maori culture who were very dependent on marijuana and the results found an increase in drop outs, unemployment, and low-median income workers. Frequent marijuana use is very detrimental to the human mind and doesnt show much enthusiasm in excelling so this is disadvantageous as well. These already endogenous cannabinoids dont need to be enhanced to only stupefy the human mind. On the other hand, is there an advantage to slowing down these neurotransmitters? The main reason marijuana is considered to be legal is because of its many substantial health benefits. Marijuana could been seen as a medicinal drug with side effects. This is the perspective Cannabis Science (2013) has of marijuana. Cannabis Science (2013) researchers look at the natural endogenous cannabinoids mentioned before. With these cannabinoids already

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functioning inside of the body, when phytocannabinoids (which is in THC) react with them, it medicates the brain to help with symptoms including, but not limited to the following: pain, arthritic conditions, migraine headaches, anxiety, AIDS wasting syndrome, and multiple sclerosis. (Cannabis Science, 2013) Townes (2012) reveals marijuana to be a fundamental game-changer in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Marijuana was so effective in fighting against the cells of Kaposis sarcoma (a disease related to HIV/AIDS), further treatment research worldwide dropped. Cannabis might be detrimental when it becomes a dependency, but as a medicine it is extremely beneficial to those with HIV/AIDS and pain related conditions. Yet, this is only looking at marijuana as if it were privately used. Marijuana has an effect on cognitive skills that can potentially be harmful to users who operate machinery and are present in public. Marijuana is known for its high that stimulates the human mind when consumed and shouldnt be used in public for it could be harmful. The first dangerous act of public marijuana use is the act of driving while under its influence. Khamsi (2013) mentioned that having a THC level of five Nano grams per milliliter (a level accomplished through several puffs of a joint) is equivalent to blowing a .08 (p.34). The biggest danger of this is that police officers are unable to discipline marijuana users as they do with alcohol consumers. This is because the only way to determine this Nano gram/ml. is to take a blood test and this is illegal for officers to do. The next problem with marijuana recreational use is that others might not want to be exposed to it (Marie, Fergusson, & Boden, 2008). By knowing the research presented earlier of heavy smokers losing IQ points, it is easy to see how a father wouldnt want his child exposed to marijuana. A good example of this issue is seen with the problem of cigarettes Americans witnessed. Marijuana shouldnt be publicly used because of its

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cognitive effect on the brain and its influence on the public. However, could marijuana be used to help the public by making it a business? Successful business is possible through the sale and distribution of marijuana. Marijuana is an automatic money maker and can help the government raise figures they need. When Colorados government was in a bad economic situation in the year 2000 it passed legislation allowing the commercial sale of marijuana. This move proved very profitable (Kamin, 2012). The Colorado Department of Revenue determined a 50 million dollar profit of marijuana taxes and fees in just 2 years. It will also bring new jobs to the community along with all the revenue brought in Von Drehle (2012). In cities like Denver there are just as many marijuana dispensaries as there are upscale coffee shops (Von Drehle, 2012). Marijuana as a commercial item is an extremely profitable item and can bring immediate revenue to a state as seen in Colorado. Just like any other law, however, there are defaults. Many faults in distribution can cause marijuana abuse and uncontrollable sales. Through the example of Colorado by Kamin (2012), as soon as medical use was allowed in 2000 many citizens found loopholes in the distribution and abused the legislation. A person would be established as the caregiver and be able to sell the marijuana. Between January of 2009 and May of 2010 registered marijuana users climbed from less than 10,000 to more than 100,000. SimoniWastila (2013) looked into the corruption of its distribution. Apparently no one cares whether the marijuana is medical or recreational. On top of this, the medical boards who are supposed to be responsible have not monitored its distribution. There are no set legal structures that have regulated dispensaries so they are unable to see what produces the best outcome from these legal facilities. Marijuana sales and distribution is too vulnerable by abuse to be taken lightly by law.

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Careful inspection and research is lacking heavily in the distribution of marijuana. What solutions are possible for commercial marijuana in the economy? Solutions to uncontrollable distribution and overuse are possible but only with hard work from the government and the people. Careful distribution and awareness can regulate the commercial sale of marijuana. Von Drehle (2012) uses Colorado and Washington as an example of possible regulation of the use and selling of marijuana. The state laws developed consisted of the following: the user must be over 21, the user cannot operate vehicles while under the influence, and the user cannot smoke in public places or on campus. These are the first of many laws to come seeing as it is new and needs more modifications to better protect the people. These states have accomplished many battles in this war of legalization. A valid argument presents marijuana legalization and sales will get it off the streets and away from kids. It will also bring new jobs to the community along with all the revenue brought in. Marijuana is able to be controlled and is a present solution in minimizing street crimes. An argument which could be easily drawn from the results of the community in the study by Marie, D., Fergusson, D., & Boden, J. (2008) would be that marijuana shouldnt be legal at all just as law presently is in many states. (Marie, D., Fergusson, D., & Boden, J., 2008) This is because the study showed many negatives such as low education outcomes, less graduates, and a lack of motivation throughout the community. (Marie, D., Fergusson, D., & Boden, J., 2008) Recreational legalization would open doors to more consumers and possibly obtain a community with these results. Knowing marijuana is a public danger, a learning inhibitor, and a motivation killer, is it worth the fight for profit and medical benefits? Its a battle in which the winner will have

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benefits that outweigh the harm. Marijuana could be optimally used by legalizing its medical use which would bring revenue and jobs to Americans without letting the public use it recreationally. However, the government may or may not be powerful enough to control medical use legalization, and it could still be abused. Should the Federal Government use this profitable item or keep its restrictions? The final, and most important question, will nationwide marijuana legalization benefit or harm the United States? Resources Guzman M. (2003). Cannabinoids: potential anticancer agents [Web Graphic]. Retrieved from http://www.nature.com/nrc/journal/v3/n10/box/nrc1188_BX1.html Cannabis Science, Inc. (2013). Research & development overview. Retrieved from http://cannabisscience.com/index.php/research-development/products-overview Fried, P., Watkinson, B., James, D., & Gray, R. (2002, April 2). Current and former marijuana use: Preliminary findings of a longitudinal study of effects on iq in young adults. Retrieved from http://www.cmaj.ca/content/166/7/887.short Guzman, M. (2003). Nature Reviews Cancer 3. Retrieved from http://www.nature.com/nrc/journal/v3/n10/box/nrc1188_BX1.html Kamin S. (2012). Medical marijuana in colorado and the future of marijuana regulation in the united states. Mcgeorge Law Review, 43(1), 147-167. Khamsi, R. (2013). Going to pot. Scientific American, 308(6), 34-36 Lee, M. A. (2012). Smoke signals: A social history of marijuana: medical, recreational, and scientific. New York, NY: Scribner.

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Marie, D., Fergusson, D., & Boden, J. (2008). Links between ethnic identification, cannabis use and dependence, and life outcomes in a New Zealand birth cohort. Australian & New Zealand Journal Of Psychiatry,42(9), 780-788. Simoni-Wastila, L., & Palumbo, F.B. (2013). Medical marijuana legislation: what we knowand dont. Journal Of Health Care Law & Policy, 16(1), 59-75. Townes, G. (2012, November 22). Marijuana may be effective in fight againgst HIV/AIDS; NJ medical marijuana facility delayed again. New York Amsterdam News. p. 29. Von Drehle, D., Sanders, E., Skarda, E., Sanders, E. & Skarda E. (2012). Grass roots. Time, 180(26), 32-35.