I need a 500-700 word rebutal for each of these papers below. It does not have to be done in essay form. Just a plain ol rebutal that is due by 11 pm Arizona time.
Paper # 1 Against marijuana---Marijuana has become increasingly popular, especially among adolescents and college age individuals. The average age for a first time marijuana user is 17 (Price, McQueeny, Shollenbarger, Browning, Wieser, & Lisdahl. 2015). When surveying a sample of adolescents, most perceived marijuana as having more benefits than risks and they endorse it as a no risk substance (Burnett. 2016). However, there are risks and negative effects that are associated with acute and chronic marijuana use. The acute effects include conjunctival injection, increased appetite, dry mouth, tachycardia, and a sense of euphoria. These effects can take place within two hours after use. Chronic effects of marijuana use target the brain. The respiratory system is also a target of effects if marijuana is inhaled through smoking. Long-term use can cause short-term memory impairment, decreased concentration and attention span, and altered problem solving capabilities. Smoking marijuana for a long period of time can cause irritation, swelling, and secretions in the respiratory airways that can, in turn, cause infections, asthma, coughing, and chronic bronchitis. Further, users can also develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease later in life from prolonged marijuana use (Burnett. 2016). Even though marijuana is endorsed for those with anxiety and depression, about 20% to 30% of users experience increased panic attacks and anxiety after use. Additionally, marijuana can increase psychosis in those with schizophrenia and cause an imbalance of sex hormones, which can lead to reproductive issues (Burnett. 2016).
As stated, one of the major concerns with marijuana use is its effect on brain development, especially since most users are adolescents or young adults. During adolescence and early adulthood, the brain is still maturing and some areas are not fully developed. Chronic use of marijuana can affect this development and cause deficits in attention, processing speed, executive abilities, and learning and memory (Price, McQueeny, Shollenbarger, et al. 2015). These effects on the development on the brain can be quite alarming since, as shown previously, most adolescents do not perceive any risks from marijuana use. Since the effects on the brain seem to be subtle, most users may not even notice the cognitive deficits occuring until it is too late.
In one study, it was shown that there may be a social development theory explanation to identify who is most at risk to use marijuana. The results showed that those who experienced child maltreatment, and had lower levels of parental attachment, were more likely to have involvement with peers who use marijuana. This, in turn, resulted in that individual using marijuana as well (Mason, Russo, Chmelka, Herrenkohl, & Herrenkohl. 2017). In th ...
I need a 500-700 word rebutal for each of these papers below. It doe.docx
1. I need a 500-700 word rebutal for each of these papers below. It
does not have to be done in essay form. Just a plain ol rebutal
that is due by 11 pm Arizona time.
Paper # 1 Against marijuana---Marijuana has become
increasingly popular, especially among adolescents and college
age individuals. The average age for a first time marijuana user
is 17 (Price, McQueeny, Shollenbarger, Browning, Wieser, &
Lisdahl. 2015). When surveying a sample of adolescents, most
perceived marijuana as having more benefits than risks and they
endorse it as a no risk substance (Burnett. 2016). However,
there are risks and negative effects that are associated with
acute and chronic marijuana use. The acute effects include
conjunctival injection, increased appetite, dry mouth,
tachycardia, and a sense of euphoria. These effects can take
place within two hours after use. Chronic effects of marijuana
use target the brain. The respiratory system is also a target of
effects if marijuana is inhaled through smoking. Long-term use
can cause short-term memory impairment, decreased
concentration and attention span, and altered problem solving
capabilities. Smoking marijuana for a long period of time can
cause irritation, swelling, and secretions in the respiratory
airways that can, in turn, cause infections, asthma, coughing,
and chronic bronchitis. Further, users can also develop chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease later in life from prolonged
marijuana use (Burnett. 2016). Even though marijuana is
endorsed for those with anxiety and depression, about 20% to
30% of users experience increased panic attacks and anxiety
after use. Additionally, marijuana can increase psychosis in
those with schizophrenia and cause an imbalance of sex
hormones, which can lead to reproductive issues (Burnett.
2016).
As stated, one of the major concerns with marijuana use is its
2. effect on brain development, especially since most users are
adolescents or young adults. During adolescence and early
adulthood, the brain is still maturing and some areas are not
fully developed. Chronic use of marijuana can affect this
development and cause deficits in attention, processing speed,
executive abilities, and learning and memory (Price, McQueeny,
Shollenbarger, et al. 2015). These effects on the development
on the brain can be quite alarming since, as shown previously,
most adolescents do not perceive any risks from marijuana use.
Since the effects on the brain seem to be subtle, most users may
not even notice the cognitive deficits occuring until it is too
late.
In one study, it was shown that there may be a social
development theory explanation to identify who is most at risk
to use marijuana. The results showed that those who
experienced child maltreatment, and had lower levels of
parental attachment, were more likely to have involvement with
peers who use marijuana. This, in turn, resulted in that
individual using marijuana as well (Mason, Russo, Chmelka,
Herrenkohl, & Herrenkohl. 2017). In this sense, marijuana use
could be associated with depression, traumatic past experiences,
and even low self-esteem as a result of troubled childhoods.
This could make marijuana dependence develop as the user
perceives themselves as “fitting in” and “feeling good” during
their use, and they are able to forget about the traumatic
experiences while they are on the marijuana high. Association
with that sense of euphoria could keep the user coming back for
more “hits”. On that same note, the three common substances
used by adolescents are alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana due to
their accessibility. So alcohol and marijuana use can be
combined, with sometimes deadly results such as driving under
the influence. While only 20% to 30% of traffic crashes are
caused by just marijuana use alone, this percentage dramatically
increases with the introduction of alcohol in the system
(Rogeberg & Elvik. 2016). However, the ability to test for
3. marijuana in the system of a driver is not as easy as testing for
alcohol use. With the legalization of marijuana, measures to test
levels of THC in the system will need to be developed, as well
as laws surrounding driving while under the influence of
marijuana.
Recreational and medical marijuana use is becoming
increasingly popular and some states have even legalized
marijuana use. However, there are very few guidelines on how
to safely use marijuana that are based on scientific evidence
(Pearson, Liese, & Dvorak. 2017). Before legalization continues
further, it is important that more studies be conducted to create
guidelines, educational material, and treatment programs for the
use, and possible abuse, of marijuana. Even studies conducted
on the medical uses of marijuana are few. It seems that most of
the endorsement for marijuana use may be on the limited studies
that have been conducted and the increasing perception that
there is no risk in using marijuana. More research and education
on the effects of marijuana and the pros and cons of use need to
be addressed before the legalization of marijuana becomes
national.
References:
Burnett, A. L. (2016). The adverse effects of cannabis use in
adolescents.
Journal Of Pain Management
,
9
(4), 423-425. Retrieved from:
https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com
/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=2017-07234-
008&site=eds-live&scope=site
Mason, W. A., Russo, M. J., Chmelka, M. B., Herrenkohl, R. C.,
& Herrenkohl, T. I. (2017). Parent and peer pathways linking
4. childhood experiences of abuse with marijuana use in
adolescence and adulthood.
Addictive Behaviors
,
66
70-75. Retrieved from:
https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com
/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=2016-61760-
013&site=eds-live&scope=site
Pearson, M. R., Liese, B. S., & Dvorak, R. D. (2017). College
student marijuana involvement: Perceptions, use, and
consequences across 11 college campuses.
Addictive Behaviors
,
66
83-89. Recived from:
https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com
/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=2016-61760-
015&site=eds-live&scope=site
Price, J. S., McQueeny, T., Shollenbarger, S., Browning, E. L.,
Wieser, J., & Lisdahl, K. M. (2015). Effects of marijuana use on
prefrontal and parietal volumes and cognition in emerging
adults.
Psychopharmacology
,
232
(16), 2939-2950. Retrieved from:
https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com
/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=2015-19476-
001&site=eds-live&scope=site
Rogeberg, O., & Elvik, R. (2016). The effects of cannabis
intoxication on motor vehicle collision revisited and revised.
Addiction
5. ,
111
(8), 1348-1359. Retrieved from:
https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com
/login.aspx?
Paper #2- For recreational legalization
The legalization of marijuana, both medically and
recreationally, has been a heavily debated topic amongst the
medical community, law enforcement, religious groups, and all
kinds of people within the United States. Arguments that can
be made for the legalization of marijuana range from
improvement on crime rates to having a positive impacts on
physical and emotional health. Even many of the fears that
came with legalizing marijuana have been shown to have
benefits. While much more research is needed, so far the
legalization of marijuana has had plenty of positive effects and
should continue in the progressive direction.
One of the biggest crisis in the United States today is
the opioid epidemic. Opioids may be effective for chronic pain,
but they often lead to addiction and abuse. Some people abuse
their own prescriptions while others turn to street opioids.
Marijuana is also approved for management of chronic pain.
Having another drug that can replace opioids as a long-term
treatment has shown potential for cutting back the rate of opioid
abuse (Lake & Kerr, 2016).
Not only does marijuana relieve pain, but it is known to
relieve other ailments ranging from seizures to nausea and
vomiting. On the medical marijuana front it would seem more
obvious as to why legalization is beneficial to general health.
On the recreational front it is a little more difficult to
understand why people being able to “self-medicate” could have
any benefits. One good example is considering the use and
6. abuse of benzodiazepines. Many people choose to self-medicate
for anxiety and associated symptoms by using marijuana.
Benzodiazepines are very physically and psychologically
addicting and have detoxification effects and side effects that
are much more significant than marijuana.
One unexpected effect of marijuana legalization is a
decrease in marijuana consumption in areas with Medical
Marijuana Laws (MMLs). It was originally feared that more
access to marijuana would lead to an increase in marijuana
consumption. Instead, areas that have MMLs have shown to
have no significant change or a decrease in consumption
(Pacula, Powell, Heaton & Sevigny, 2014). The only way that I
can make sense of this is perhaps this has functioned as some
kind of economic supply and demand where an increase in
supply eventually lead to a decrease in consumption due to the
fact the resource is no longer scarce. An increase in quantity
readily available decreases the scarcity of the resource.
In states where recreational marijuana is not yet legal,
for example Pennsylvania, possession and delivery charges are
as a schedule one substance just like cocaine or heroin. When a
drug is given this status, the crime surrounding it is just as high
level. Very recently, in a Pennsylvania area close to me, a
teenager was murdered over drug dealing having to do with
marijuana. Evidence gathered from western states where
marijuana has been legalized shows an actual decrease in rates
of violent crimes (Shepard & Blackley, 2016). Whenever the
people selling marijuana are no longer “drug dealers”, the crime
aspects of selling and purchasing the substance are decreased or
even eliminated.
One last point in regards to the legal system is the
amount of money and resources spent in pursuit of marijuana
dealings. When there are methamphetamines, crack, heroin and
other drugs with much higher impact on society in circulation it
7. does not make sense to be in pursuit of marijuana. We have
young adults starting their lives off with first-degree felonies
for selling ounces of marijuana because they think nothing of
it. A man who is selling much harder drugs receives the same
exact felony.
From a health standpoint, marijuana’s ability to combat
addictions and curb the need for substances like opioids and
benzodiazepines far outweighs the false notion that marijuana
use leads to other drug use. The legalization of marijuana has
shown to follow a pattern of decreased demand therefore
reducing the consumption in areas where it is available.
Resources can now be properly directed toward more important
tasks, and less people will receive heavy repercussions
associated with such a low-level substance. Marijuana is finally
being recognized for its beneficial properties and treated as a
medicine rather than just a substance producing a “high”.
References
Lake, S., & Kerr, T. (2016). The Challenges of Projecting the
Public Health Impacts of Marijuana Legalization in Canada
Comment on "Legalizing and Regulating Marijuana in Canada:
Review of Potential Economic, Social, and Health Impacts".
International Journal Of Health Policy And Management
,
6
(5), 285-287.
http://dx.doi.org/10.15171/ijhpm.2016.124
Pacula, R., Powell, D., Heaton, P., & Sevigny, E. (2014).
Assessing the Effects of Medical Marijuana Laws on Marijuana
Use: The Devil is in the Details.
Journal Of Policy Analysis And Management
,
34