Marijuana: The Great Debate

1960 Words4 Pages

Super Grass, Ace, Greta, Ganja, Weed, Mary Jane, Dope, and the Herb, are just a few of the modern terms that today’s users call the drug that is marijuana. Research shows that in recent years the use of this drug has been on the rise, especially among teenagers. Bridget M. Kuehn, MSJ (2011) stated in her article, “As marijuana use for medical or recreational purposes is debated at state and municipal levels across the country, use of the drugs among teens continues to climb”(p. 242). In a survey done by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 45,000 eighth, tenth, and twelfth grade students showed an increase in the use of Marijuana in comparison to years passed. From 5.2% of twelfth graders, 2.8% of tenth graders, and 1.0% of 8th graders reporting daily use in 2009; to 6.1% of twelfth graders, 3.3% of tenth graders, and 2.8% of eighth graders in 2011. The recent increase in media attention about this drug may have played a large role in this recent increase in widespread recreational use. Kuehn (2011) concludes in her article that, “fewer teens report much danger in use—and fewer teens report disapproval of use” (p. 242). These recent changes and shifts in attitudes bring about much debate on the topic of whether these increases are good or bad for individuals and society as a whole. Even though most agree that marijuana use is harmful, some argue the benefits for this natural drug. Many people try and look to the past in order to try and explain why the use of marijuana is on the raise in recent years. One study, conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, analyzed the news media’s effect on adolescents' marijuana use starting in 1977. The study covered news coverage presenting reasons why... ... middle of paper ... ...rieved from http://jama.jamanetwork.com.byui.idm.oclc.org/ McCarberg, B. (2012). Marijuana Can Help in the Treatment of Pain. In N. Berlatsky (Ed.), Opposing Viewpoints. Marijuana. Detroit: Greenhaven Press. (Reprinted from Marijuana and Pain Management, 2012, National Pain Foundation) Retrieved from http://ic.galegroup.com.byui.idm.oclc.org/ Rey, J. M., Krabman, P., & Martin, A. (2006). Marijuana Use Is Harmful. In J. Carroll (Ed.), Opposing Viewpoints. Marijuana. San Diego: Greenhaven Press. (Reprinted from Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2004, October, 43, 1-194) Retrieved from http://ic.galegroup.com.byui.idm.oclc.org STRYKER, J. (2003). Articles Media and Marijuana: A Longitudinal Analysis of News Media Effects on Adolescents' Marijuana Use and Related Outcomes, 1977-1999. Journal Of Health Communication, 8(4), 305-328.

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