Running head: FORMAL PAPER PART ONE 1 Formal Paper Part 1 Contemporary Issues in Healthcare Florida SouthWestern State College FORMAL PAPER PART ONE 2 Abstract This paper will explain what regular marijuana and Charlotte’s Web are. Medical benefits of both will be discussed along with the similarities and differences between the two. Then it will debate the pros and cons of legalizing both substances for medical and recreational purposes and which states already do so. It will conclude with this student’s opinion of what was researched and explain if their opinion was changed and why. Keywords: Marijuana, Charlotte’s Web, medical benefit, recreational benefit, legalization FORMAL PAPER PART ONE 3 Formal Paper Part One Marijuana use has been a topic of hot debate in today’s society. There are many different opinions on the subject, but one thing for certain is that there is plenty of research out there that supports both the good and the bad of its use. This paper will delve into this sensitive subject by defining, discussing, and researching what marijuana and Charlotte’s Web is, their use, legalization matters, and this student’s personal opinion based on what was examined. Regular Marijuana Marijuana is defined as the dried leaves and female flowers of the hemp plant, used in cigarette form as a narcotic or hallucinogen (Dictionary.com, 2017). It is a greenish-gray mixture of dried leaves that is part of the hemp plant called cannabis sativa and is used in a variety of ways such as being smoked, brewing tea, or mixed into foods (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2017). The main chemical responsible in marijuana that has hallucinogenic or mind altering effects is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2017). People who use marijuana recreationally seek this feeling. Charlotte’s Web Charlotte’s web is oil that is extracted from the hemp plant and contains U.S. government patented cannabinoids that contains 0.3% or less of THC (Realm of Caring Foundation, 2017). It was developed by the Stanley Brothers when they began growing high-CBD cannabis strains. CBD does not cause the high that THC does, therefore is can be used for more medicinal purposes. Some of the medical benefits of CBD include antiemetic, anticonvulsant, FORMAL PAPER PART ONE 4 antipsychotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, and combats tumor and cancer cells (LeafScience, 2014). Medical benefits of regular marijuana In order to see all the benefits of marijuana, it is necessary to understand how it works. Cells in the brain that process information are called neurons, and the chemical that allows neurons to communicate are called neurotransmitters (Bonsor & Gerbis, 2017) . Neurotransmitters bridge the gap between neurons that allows numerous functions in the brain and body to switch on and off (Bonsor ...

1. Running head: FORMAL PAPER PART ONE 1
Formal Paper Part 1
Contemporary Issues in Healthcare
Florida SouthWestern State College
FORMAL PAPER PART ONE 2
Abstract
This paper will explain what regular marijuana and Charlotte’s
Web are. Medical benefits

2. of both will be discussed along with the similarities and
differences between the two. Then it will
debate the pros and cons of legalizing both substances for
medical and recreational purposes and
which states already do so. It will conclude with this student’s
opinion of what was researched
and explain if their opinion was changed and why.
Keywords: Marijuana, Charlotte’s Web, medical benefit,
recreational benefit, legalization
FORMAL PAPER PART ONE 3
Formal Paper Part One
Marijuana use has been a topic of hot debate in today’s society.
There are many different

3. opinions on the subject, but one thing for certain is that there is
plenty of research out there that
supports both the good and the bad of its use. This paper will
delve into this sensitive subject by
defining, discussing, and researching what marijuana and
Charlotte’s Web is, their use,
legalization matters, and this student’s personal opinion based
on what was examined.
Regular Marijuana
Marijuana is defined as the dried leaves and female flowers of
the hemp plant, used in
cigarette form as a narcotic or hallucinogen (Dictionary.com,
2017). It is a greenish-gray
mixture of dried leaves that is part of the hemp plant called
cannabis sativa and is used in a
variety of ways such as being smoked, brewing tea, or mixed
into foods (National Institute on
Drug Abuse, 2017). The main chemical responsible in marijuana
that has hallucinogenic or mind
altering effects is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as
THC (National Institute on Drug
Abuse, 2017). People who use marijuana recreationally seek
this feeling.

4. Charlotte’s Web
Charlotte’s web is oil that is extracted from the hemp plant and
contains U.S. government
patented cannabinoids that contains 0.3% or less of THC (Realm
of Caring Foundation, 2017). It
was developed by the Stanley Brothers when they began
growing high-CBD cannabis strains.
CBD does not cause the high that THC does, therefore is can be
used for more medicinal
purposes. Some of the medical benefits of CBD include
antiemetic, anticonvulsant,
FORMAL PAPER PART ONE 4
antipsychotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, and combats
tumor and cancer cells
(LeafScience, 2014).
Medical benefits of regular marijuana
In order to see all the benefits of marijuana, it is necessary to
understand how it works.
Cells in the brain that process information are called neurons,
and the chemical that allows
neurons to communicate are called neurotransmitters (Bonsor &

5. Gerbis, 2017) .
Neurotransmitters bridge the gap between neurons that allows
numerous functions in the brain
and body to switch on and off (Bonsor & Gerbis, 2017). By
hindering or filling in these areas,
THC can have different effects on the body and its bodily
functions.
Medical benefits of regular marijuana include treating
symptoms of multiple sclerosis
(MS), other muscle control problems, sleep deprivation,
glaucoma, inflammation, nausea, pain,
and epileptic seizures (National Institute of Drug Abuse, 2017).
There is also a unique balance
that will be necessary to find with marijuana as treatments. It
may decrease anxiety in low doses,
but higher doses may increase anxiety and make the user
become paranoid (Welsh & Loria,
2014).
The Scripps Research Institute published a study that found
THC slows the formation of
plaques by blocking the enzyme that the brain makes; the plaque
is what kills brain cells and can
lead to Alzheimer’s disease (Welsh & Loria, 2014). Since it is
relatively new, it is clear to see

6. why more research is being done on marijuana and why more
people are turning to it for their
health problems. It is important to have these trials because it
will be worth it to see if there are
any major negative side effects.
FORMAL PAPER PART ONE 5
Medical benefits of Charlotte’s Web
Several medical benefits of Charlotte’s Web were listed earlier,
but there is no better
example of proof than with the story of Charlotte Figi. Charlotte
was diagnosed with Dravet
Syndrome at three months old, experienced autism-like
behaviors at two years old, and then at
five years old was suffering approximately 300 seizures per
week that could last hours at a time
(Healthy Hemp Oil , 2017). The desperate parents went to the
Stanley Brothers and Charlotte
was given a strain of marijuana, now called Charlotte’s Web
that was low in THC and high in
CBD. Her seizures stopped, her autistic symptoms are
essentially gone, and she can now carry on

7. a normal life (Healthy Hemp Oil , 2017).
CBD has many medical uses and it works with THC to provide
these benefits. CBD has
been shown to offer healing effects on the body and reduce
some of the psychological effects
that THC has on the brain (Siruis, 2015). CBD is able to bind to
different areas on receptors than
where THC does so it creates a sedative, anti-depressant effect
on the brain without the
psychoactive high that comes with THC (Siruis, 2015).
Sometimes THC and CBD work together
even though they have separate functions.
Charlotte Figi is not the only case; other parents have reported a
high rate of success in
reducing the amount of seizures with CBD treatments and it
shows positive side effects when it
comes to behavior and alertness (Jacobson & Porter, 2016).
When it comes to children,
Charlotte’s Web would be a great substitute for regular
marijuana since it does not contain THC.
If kids can still get the medical benefits without the effects of
THC, and since CBD has
optimistic behavioral effects, it can help them be a normal kid

8. again.
FORMAL PAPER PART ONE 6
Similarities and Differences
Since Charlotte’s Web and marijuana are from the same hemp
plant, they will have
several medical benefits in common. These include stopping
seizures, reducing pain and
inflammation, and help with muscle control problems. They
both also latch on to
neurotransmitters that in turn inhibit or change body functions.
Another similarity is that more
people are turning to these forms of treatments as opposed to
other pharmaceutical drugs.
However, the main difference between the two is the presence
of THC. THC is what
causes tiredness and hallucinogenic thoughts. Since Charlotte’s
Web has a very low dose of
THC, users are more alert and not as groggy. THC can also
cause short-term memory and affect
coordination. This makes Charlotte’s Web the more viable
option to give, especially to children.

9. Another difference is that THC increases the user’s appetite.
This would be good in a situation
when someone is recovering from a chemotherapy treatment,
since they are in pain and nauseous
afterwards. Chemotherapy patients usually do not feel like
eating and are stressed out from the
pain of what they are going through; marijuana may help with
that.
FORMAL PAPER PART ONE 7
References
Bonsor, K., & Gerbis, N. (2017). How Marijuana Works.
Retrieved from How Stuff Works
Science: http://science.howstuffworks.com/marijuana3.htm
Dictionary.com. (2017). Retrieved from Dictionary.com:
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/marijuana
Healthy Hemp Oil . (2017). Charlotte Figi’s Ongoing Story
With Medical Marijuana. Retrieved

10. from Healthy Hemp Oil : https://healthyhempoil.com/charlotte-
figi-2/
Jacobson, C., & Porter, B. E. (2016, May 26). Survey of Current
Cannabidiol Use in Pediatric
Treatment-Resistant Epilepsy. Retrieved from Realm of Caring:
https://www.theroc.us/jacobson-porter-study
LeafScience. (2014, February 23). 5 Must-Know Facts About
Cannabidiol (CBD). Retrieved
from LeadScience: http://www.leafscience.com/2014/02/23/5-
must-know-facts-
cannabidiol-cbd/
National Institute of Drug Abuse. (2017, April). Marijuana as
Medicine. Retrieved from
National Institute of Drug Abuse:
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana-
medicine
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2017, April). What is
marijuana? . Retrieved from National
Institute on Drug Abuse:
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-
reports/marijuana/what-marijuana
Realm of Caring Foundation. (2017). CW Everday Hemp Oils.

11. Retrieved from Realm of Caring:
https://www.cwhemp.com/
Siruis, J. (2015, August 11). How Does CBD Affect The Brain?
Retrieved from High Times:
http://hightimes.com/culture/how-does-cbd-affect-the-brain/
Welsh, J., & Loria, K. (2014, April 20). 23 Health Benefits Of
Marijuana. Retrieved from
Business Insider: http://www.businessinsider.com/health-
benefits-of-medical-marijuana-
2014-4/#chemical-found-in-marijuana-stops-cancer-from-
spreading-5
Formal paper Part 1 rubric
Criteria
Ratings
Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeTitle page. Must
contain student's name, class, and title of paper.
3.0 pts
Meets expectation. All three are present
2.0 pts
Developing. Two of the three are present.
1.0 pts
Beginning. One of the three present.
0.0 pts
Not acceptable. Title page missing.

12. 3.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIntroduction
15.0 pts
Meets expectations. Abstract is well-stated and gets the reader
interested in the topic.
8.0 pts
Developing. Abstract is interesting. May or may not catch
interest.
4.0 pts
Beginning. Abstract is poorly written.
0.0 pts
Not acceptable. No abstract written
15.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDefine and
discuss regular marijuana
15.0 pts
Meets Expectations. Detailed description of what marijuana is,
and is well written.
10.0 pts
Developing. Detailed description of what marijuana is, but is
not well written
5.0 pts
Beginning. Description of what marijuana is not detailed, and is
written poorly.
0.0 pts
Not acceptable. No description of how what marijuana is.
15.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDefine and
discuss Charlotte's Web
15.0 pts
Meets Expectations. Detailed description of what Charlotte's
Web is, and is well written.
10.0 pts

13. Developing. Detailed description of what Charlotte's Web is,
but is not well written
5.0 pts
Beginning. Description of what Charlotte's Web is not detailed,
and is written poorly.
0.0 pts
Not acceptable. No description of what Charlotte's Web is.
15.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAnalyze,
synthesize, and discuss the medical benefits of regular
marijuana
15.0 pts
Meets Expectations. Detailed description of the medical
benefits of marijuana, and is well written.
10.0 pts
Developing. Detailed description of the medical benefits of
marijuana but is not well written
5.0 pts
Beginning. Description of the medical benefits of marijuana is
not detailed, and is written poorly.
0.0 pts
Not acceptable. No description of the medical benefits of
marijuana.
15.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAnalyze,
synthesize, and discuss the medical benefits of Charlotte’s Web
15.0 pts
Meets Expectations. Detailed description of the medical
benefits of Charlotte’s Web, and is well written.
10.0 pts
Developing. Detailed description of the medical benefits of
Charlotte’s Web but is not well written
5.0 pts
Beginning. Description of the medical benefits of Charlotte’s

14. Web is not detailed, and is written poorly.
0.0 pts
Not acceptable. No description of the medical benefits of
Charlotte’s Web.
15.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCompare and
contrast the difference in medical benefits between regular
marijuana and Charlotte’s Web
15.0 pts
Meets expectation. Detailed comparison of the medical benefits
of marijuana and Charlotte's Web, and is well written.
10.0 pts
Developing. Detailed comparison of the medical benefits of
marijuana and Charlotte's Web, but is not well written.
5.0 pts
Beginning. Comparison of the medical benefits of marijuana
and Charlotte's Web is not detail, and is not well written.
0.0 pts
Not acceptable. No comparison of the medical benefits of
marijuana and Charlotte's Web.
15.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeProper format.
Must be doubled spaced, New Times Roman, and 12 point font.
15.0 pts
Meets expectations. All three are present
5.0 pts
Developing. Two of the three are present.
3.0 pts
Beginning. One of the three are present.
0.0 pts
Not acceptable. None of the three are present.
15.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSpelling

15. 15.0 pts
Meets expectations. No spelling errors are present.
0.0 pts
Not acceptable. Spelling errors present.
15.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeGrammar
15.0 pts
Meets expectations. No grammar errors are present.
5.0 pts
Beginning. Less than 5 grammar errors are present.
0.0 pts
Not acceptable. More than 5 grammar errors are present.
15.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAPA format
25.0 pts
Meets expectations. Proper APA format was used.
0.0 pts
Not acceptable. Proper APA format was not used.
25.0 pts
Total Points: 163.0