Ethical Dilemma Paper

Ethical Dilemma Paper

Brandon Crawford & Noharys Decena

CJS/211

Mr. Watson

Marijuana has been in headlines for years both in good and bad ways. In recent news though it has been a bit of a dilemma on whether or not to legalize Cannabis for recreational and medical use. Cannabis, also known as marijuana and by numerous other names, is a preparation of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug or medicine. In a medical sense, Cannabis has been used to reduce nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy, to improve appetite in people with HIV/AIDS, to treat chronic pain, and help with muscle spasms. Its use for other medical applications is insufficient for conclusions about safety or efficacy. Short-term use increases minor adverse effects, but does not appear to increase major adverse effects. Long-term effects of cannabis are not clear, and there are concerns including memory and cognition problems, risk for addiction, and risk of schizophrenia among young people. The recreational use of marijuana, which seems to be the popular of the latter, has psychoactive and physiological effects when consumed. The immediate desired effects from consuming cannabis include relaxation and mild euphoria, while some immediate undesired side-effects include a decrease in short-term memory, dry mouth, impaired motor skills and reddening of the eyes.

Marijuana has held its place in new headlines mostly as a criminal offence, but in 2015 that changed. President Obama sat with Shane Smith of Vice Media, and said “We may be able to make some progress on the decriminalization side. At a certain point, if enough states end up decriminalizing, then Congress may then reschedule marijuana." Currently, 23 states plus Washington, D.C., have legalized medical marijuana. Recreational marijuana is legal in Alaska, Oregon, Colorado, Washington State and D.C. Senators, Cory Booker, Kirsten Gillibrand and Rand Paul, introduced a bill that would decriminalize marijuana on...