About 40 million adults in the United States, according to statistics, visit porn sites on a regular basis. This makes pornography viewing a widespread habit, which then produces billions of dollars in revenue. While this is not taken as a pill, injected, snorted, or smoked, it provides a direct link to a person’s central nervous system, particularly the pleasure center, which then translates to instant arousal.
A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine today finds that more than 2 million Americans who misused opioids between 2012 and 2014 also identified as binge drinkers. Overall, binge drinkers had nearly twice the odds of misusing opioids compared to non-drinkers.
The finding alarmed researchers, who noted that one in five prescription opioid deaths in recent years also involved alcohol. "Combining alcohol and opioids can significantly increase the risk of overdoses and deaths," CDC Director Robert Redfield said in a statement.
About 40 million adults in the United States, according to statistics, visit porn sites on a regular basis. This makes pornography viewing a widespread habit, which then produces billions of dollars in revenue. While this is not taken as a pill, injected, snorted, or smoked, it provides a direct link to a person’s central nervous system, particularly the pleasure center, which then translates to instant arousal.
A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine today finds that more than 2 million Americans who misused opioids between 2012 and 2014 also identified as binge drinkers. Overall, binge drinkers had nearly twice the odds of misusing opioids compared to non-drinkers.
The finding alarmed researchers, who noted that one in five prescription opioid deaths in recent years also involved alcohol. "Combining alcohol and opioids can significantly increase the risk of overdoses and deaths," CDC Director Robert Redfield said in a statement.
Paul Stanford, president of The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation (THCF), actively advocates for the legal use of marijuana. Paul Stanford played a key role in writing Oregon's Measure 91, which has legalized marijuana statewide.
Potential Health Benefits of Marijuana Paul Stanford
As a leading advocate for marijuana legalization, Paul Stanford leads as president of the Campaign for the Restoration and Regulation of Hemp. Paul Stanford also stands out as the head of The Hemp & Cannabis Foundation and THCF Medical Clinics/Presto Quality Care, which serve 100,000 patients across 10 states.
50-percent of metro New York residents support legalizing recreational marijuana, but 74% expressed concern about people driving under the influence of it.
Characteristics Associated with Attitudes toward Marijuana LegJinElias52
Characteristics Associated with Attitudes toward Marijuana Legalization in Michigan
Jennifer D. Ellis, M.A.a, Stella M. Resko, Ph.D. b,c, Kathryn Szechy, M.S.W.b, Richard Smith, Ph.D.b,
and Theresa J. Early, Ph.D.d
aDepartment of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA; bSchool of Social Work, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA; cMerrill
Palmer Skillman Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA; dCollege of Social Work, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
ABSTRACT
Support for legalization of marijuana has increased over the past several years. While studies have
examined correlates of favoring marijuana legalization, less attention has been placed on those
who are unsure about legalization, despite the potentially important role of this group as states
vote on legalization in upcoming elections. Using data from a statewide sample of adults in
Michigan, this study examined whether those who support, oppose, or are unsure about legaliza-
tion differed based on demographics, marijuana use, and perceived risk associated with marijuana
use. Those who were older and perceived marijuana use to pose a greater risk had lower odds of
being unsure about legalization (relative to opposing legalization); those who were politically left
of center or centrist and those who reported lifetime marijuana use had higher odds of being
unsure about legalization. Older respondents, women, and those who perceived marijuana use to
be risky had lower odds of supporting legalization; those who were politically left of center or
centrist, and those who reported recent or lifetime marijuana use had higher odds of supporting
legalization. Better understanding correlates of being unsure about marijuana legalization may
help inform political and prevention efforts as states continue to vote on these issues.
ARTICLE HISTORY
Received 12 June 2018
Accepted 11 March 2019
KEYWORDS
Marijuana; cannabis;
legalization; perspectives
Introduction
Although marijuana is illegal under federal United States
(US) drug policy, state and local marijuana policies have
shifted dramatically over the past two decades (Millhorn
et al. 2009; Nielsen 2010). As of November 2018, 33 states
have legalized medical marijuana use and 13 states, as well
as several local jurisdictions, have decriminalized mari-
juana possession. Additionally, 10 states and the District
of Columbia have legalized recreational marijuana use for
adults over 21 years of age. Michigan became the first
Midwestern state to legalize recreational marijuana when
56% of its voters approved a November 2018 ballot mea-
sure. Other states are expected to vote on medical mar-
ijuana, marijuana decriminalization and recreational
legalization initiatives in future elections (Caulkins,
Kilmer, and Kleiman 2016). As of early 2018, medical
marijuana is supported by an overwhelming majority of
Americans (>90%) (Quinnipiac University/Poll 2018), and
as of October 2018, approximately two in three suppo ...
College Student Perceptions of Marijuana 2015SarahMartin33
This marketing research project was created to better understand college students perceptions on marijuana. In this paper we cover background research concerning legalization of marijuana and behavior. After identifying questions that were not answered during our research, we administered a survey via Qualtrics and received over 700 responses from college students in different colleges in the nation. We took their responses and analyzed our data over SPSS. We discovered that most of our hypotheses held true.
Paul Stanford, president of The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation (THCF), actively advocates for the legal use of marijuana. Paul Stanford played a key role in writing Oregon's Measure 91, which has legalized marijuana statewide.
Potential Health Benefits of Marijuana Paul Stanford
As a leading advocate for marijuana legalization, Paul Stanford leads as president of the Campaign for the Restoration and Regulation of Hemp. Paul Stanford also stands out as the head of The Hemp & Cannabis Foundation and THCF Medical Clinics/Presto Quality Care, which serve 100,000 patients across 10 states.
50-percent of metro New York residents support legalizing recreational marijuana, but 74% expressed concern about people driving under the influence of it.
Characteristics Associated with Attitudes toward Marijuana LegJinElias52
Characteristics Associated with Attitudes toward Marijuana Legalization in Michigan
Jennifer D. Ellis, M.A.a, Stella M. Resko, Ph.D. b,c, Kathryn Szechy, M.S.W.b, Richard Smith, Ph.D.b,
and Theresa J. Early, Ph.D.d
aDepartment of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA; bSchool of Social Work, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA; cMerrill
Palmer Skillman Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA; dCollege of Social Work, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
ABSTRACT
Support for legalization of marijuana has increased over the past several years. While studies have
examined correlates of favoring marijuana legalization, less attention has been placed on those
who are unsure about legalization, despite the potentially important role of this group as states
vote on legalization in upcoming elections. Using data from a statewide sample of adults in
Michigan, this study examined whether those who support, oppose, or are unsure about legaliza-
tion differed based on demographics, marijuana use, and perceived risk associated with marijuana
use. Those who were older and perceived marijuana use to pose a greater risk had lower odds of
being unsure about legalization (relative to opposing legalization); those who were politically left
of center or centrist and those who reported lifetime marijuana use had higher odds of being
unsure about legalization. Older respondents, women, and those who perceived marijuana use to
be risky had lower odds of supporting legalization; those who were politically left of center or
centrist, and those who reported recent or lifetime marijuana use had higher odds of supporting
legalization. Better understanding correlates of being unsure about marijuana legalization may
help inform political and prevention efforts as states continue to vote on these issues.
ARTICLE HISTORY
Received 12 June 2018
Accepted 11 March 2019
KEYWORDS
Marijuana; cannabis;
legalization; perspectives
Introduction
Although marijuana is illegal under federal United States
(US) drug policy, state and local marijuana policies have
shifted dramatically over the past two decades (Millhorn
et al. 2009; Nielsen 2010). As of November 2018, 33 states
have legalized medical marijuana use and 13 states, as well
as several local jurisdictions, have decriminalized mari-
juana possession. Additionally, 10 states and the District
of Columbia have legalized recreational marijuana use for
adults over 21 years of age. Michigan became the first
Midwestern state to legalize recreational marijuana when
56% of its voters approved a November 2018 ballot mea-
sure. Other states are expected to vote on medical mar-
ijuana, marijuana decriminalization and recreational
legalization initiatives in future elections (Caulkins,
Kilmer, and Kleiman 2016). As of early 2018, medical
marijuana is supported by an overwhelming majority of
Americans (>90%) (Quinnipiac University/Poll 2018), and
as of October 2018, approximately two in three suppo ...
College Student Perceptions of Marijuana 2015SarahMartin33
This marketing research project was created to better understand college students perceptions on marijuana. In this paper we cover background research concerning legalization of marijuana and behavior. After identifying questions that were not answered during our research, we administered a survey via Qualtrics and received over 700 responses from college students in different colleges in the nation. We took their responses and analyzed our data over SPSS. We discovered that most of our hypotheses held true.
8Advocacy and Resource AllocationThe Capitol Building in Was.docxsleeperharwell
8
Advocacy and Resource Allocation
The Capitol Building in Washington, DC.
xxcheng/iStock/Thinkstock
Learning Outcomes
After reading this chapter, you should be able to
Differentiate between advocacy and lobbying.
Explain the use of data and media for public health initiatives.
Examine the importance of resources in public health advocacy.
This chapter highlights the importance of public health advocacy and resource allocation. In fact, public health professionals use advocacy far more often than lobbying. It is rare for public health professionals, particularly those working for health departments, to lobby at all. While lobbying and advocacy are closely related, lobbyists are paid professionals and advocates are not. This chapter will discuss the key differences between lobbying and advocacy and examine the purpose behind public health’s use of one versus the other. Public health data is used for both advocacy and media attention. While this chapter focuses more on advocacy work, it is important to recognize that advocates can receive evidence from data that supports their side of an argument or their point to enact a policy. This chapter will explain some of those uses, in addition to examining resource allocation and its importance to the public health realm.
8.1 Effecting Change in Public Health
The terms advocacy and lobbying are often used interchangeably, but they are distinctly different. Advocacy seeks to affect society—to change a belief or behavior, or convince individuals to act or not act on an issue. Lobbying is typically an act by special interest groups or industries to attempt to convince Congress to enact legislation on a particular topic. In public health, it is rare to find a lobbyist. While individuals in the role are important to effecting change in legislation, public health finds itself more aligned with initiatives to create change in population behaviors, regardless of whether the initiative is a law or a recommendation. In this regard, advocacy work is the key, and one of the most important elements, for successful public health endeavors that reach large populations.
The Role of Research
Research into health issues can often translate into advocating for improvements in the public’s health, from developing healthy eating habits to eliminating behaviors that can lead to poor health. For example, it wasn’t until piles of research finally uncovered the link between smoking and cancer that public health professionals advocated for tobacco control (see A Closer Look). When the law was proposed, lobbyists would have likely come from tobacco companies to oppose it because it would affect sales. In this case, advocacy was focused on simply changing the public’s behavior through regulation of any sort, while lobbying focused on specifically stopping the passage of the particular act.
A Closer Look: The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act
The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.
Similar to GSS Reports National Majority Support for Cannabis Legalization (12)
2. GSS Reports
National
Majority
Support for
Cannabis
Legalization
Since 1999, Paul Stanford has served as president ofThe Hemp &
Cannabis Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping
patients gain legal access to medical marijuana. Paul Stanford also
leads the Campaign for the Restoration & Regulation of Hemp, a
registered 501(c)(4) political committee. Alongside his political
work and activities as an award-winning cannabis grower, he
strives to keep the public informed via his weeklyTV program,
CannabisCommon Sense, and Hemp News, an online newspaper.
3. GSS Reports
National
Majority
Support for
Cannabis
Legalization
Every two years, the General Social Survey carries out a national
public opinion survey, polling U.S. citizens to determine the
general sentiment on various social trends.Widely regarded as the
primary authority in public opinion research, the organization
recently released data that reflects a substantial shift in public
opinion regarding marijuana legalization. In its most recent
survey, 52 percent of participants supported marijuana
legalization.This represents the General Social Survey’s first
instance of majority support for legalized cannabis. In 2012, 43
percent of respondents endorsed the measure, while marijuana
legalization garnered support from only 16 percent of survey
participants in 1990.
4. GSS Reports
National
Majority
Support for
Cannabis
Legalization
The trends reflected in the General Social Survey align with the
results of various other national opinion polls. In recent years,
surveys conducted by Gallup,CNN, and the Pew Research Center
have reflected growing national support for the legalization of
marijuana.