Marijuana Research Paper

We are glad to provide a sample marijuana research paper so that you can see how top quality writing should look like. The paper provides the main arguments for and against marijuana legalization for readers to come to the logical conclusion.

It is known that smoking marijuana is forbidden in many countries, and those who break the law are punished. Nevertheless, the issue of whether marijuana should be legalized raises heated debate. The supporters of marijuana smoking state that this substance can cure some illnesses and improve health conditions of the patient. The opponents claim that regular smoking of marijuana leads to psychiatric as well as social problems. They insist on not making this drug legal since it will lead to marijuana abuse and dependence among the greater number of people, including young generation. As a result, the problem of legalizing marijuana is based on numerous dilemmas. Some of them include such questions as whether only medical marijuana should be allowed or anyone should have the right to use it for a recreational purpose as well. In addition, there is debate on the age of marijuana users and the places for smoking it. In general, legalizing marijuana would have both positive and negative effects on the society. Therefore, it is rather hard to define the full scope of direct and indirect outcomes at the moment.

In the marijuana research paper, it is said that the main argument against legalizing this drug is that the number of potential users will increase significantly. On the one hand, a person has to decide whether to use mild drugs or not, and the government should not restrict their will. On the other hand, marijuana legalization can be considered as social approval that may lead to drug abuse. State laws on medical marijuana are predictors of marijuana usage for personal and recreational purposes. Since there is a direct relation between the law and social norms, legalization of marijuana will result in changing social norms as well as individual perception. What is more, the recent studies show that population of those states where medical marijuana is allowed is more likely to suffer from addiction and drug abuse. Thus, some prohibition policies that the government may implement can save people’s lives.

The marijuana research paper discusses positive and negative effects of marijuana usage. Marijuana has relaxing, soothing, and appetite-boosting effects. Nevertheless, the usage of this drug can result in getting psychiatric diseases and withdrawal that leads to different problems and unemployment. The effects of marijuana very depending on such factors as the quality of the drug, the amount used, individual reactions and others. The state of a person intoxicated by marijuana is not researched fully; however, it is proved that this mild drug is neither depressant nor stimulant. Marijuana is a unique drug due to its neurotransmitter that occurs naturally. Among the effects of marijuana smoking are the following: weakening short-term memory, dealing with complex information, increasing appetite, domination of sensory experience and propensity for laughter. When smoking marijuana once in a while, the effects may not be harmful. However, when this drug is taken on a regular basis, the outcomes may be rather unfortunate. Chronic marijuana usage can lead to psychological addiction and damaging health in general. What is more, in some cases marijuana smoking can result in panic attacks as well as anxiety. From the social perspective, constant marijuana smoking may lead to the increase of crimes, car accidents, and suicide. Therefore, the potential negative consequences caused by the usage of marijuana significantly overweight the positive effects it has.

The marijuana research paper presents some arguments in favor of marijuana legalization as well. They include an opportunity to fully control the production and distribution of marijuana. What is more, the budget would increase due to the taxes imposed on the purchase of the mild drug. Legalizing marijuana presupposes that all criminal groups supplying this substance will be out of the running. It means that users will buy marijuana from official distributors, thus eliminating the black market. When the government knows the real scope of the problem as well as the processes that take place in this sphere, it will be easier to control them. What is more, the authorities will be able to cope with the negative outcomes by developing some rehabilitation programs for those who are addicted and increasing public awareness of the risks of marijuana abuse. The state, being the monopolist, can control the price, quality, and access to the drug. At the same time, the state cannot guarantee that the black market will disappear completely. As a result, legalization of marijuana does not mean that the issue will be solved. It may even have a reverse effect: criminals will have an opportunity to easily access marijuana and distribute it within the black market.

The marijuana research paper concludes that, despite the fact that marijuana has some healing qualities and its legalization may result in stricter control over its production and distribution, making the drug legal may have an inverted effect as well. The approval at the state level can change social norms leading to the increase of marijuana users. It will result is drug abuse and addiction. Therefore, in-depth and detailed research on the issue has to be conducted so that the government can make the right and unbiased decision on the legalization of marijuana.