Annotated_Bibliography-_Legalization_of_Marijuana

Legalization of Marijuana: An Annotated Bibliography February 27, 2011 References 70 Peer-Reviewed Studies on Marijuana - Medical Marijuana - ProCon.org. (2010, July 30). Medical Marijuana ProCon.org. Retrieved February 16, 2011, from http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php'resourceID=000884 These 70 peer-reviewed medical studies involving cannabis and cannabis extracts from 1990 through 2011 are listed as Pro, Con, or Not Clearly Pro or Con, based on their conclusions regarding cannabis' potential medical benefit. There are three types of studies; Double-Blind Human Studies, Human Studies, and Animal Studies. I feel that these studies are a great resource of information regarding all aspects of my topic on the legalization of marijuana. Adams, M. (2011, February 24). DEA to legalize marijuana chemical for Big Pharma but keep it a crime for everyone else. Independent news on natural health, nutrition and more. Retrieved March 1, 2011, from http://www.naturalnews.com/031489_DEA_legalized_marijuana.html Adams (2011) rips apart the DEA's move to change the classification of THC from a schedule I substance (like street heroin) to a schedule III drug (pharmaceuticals), yet the very same chemical that can be legal for corporations to sell you will remain illegal for you to grow yourself using a natural plant. I feel that this article would help to support my position on the legalization of marijuana. Cloud, J. (2002, November 4). Is Pot Good For You'. time, 1, 1-4. Retrieved February 16, 2011, from http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1003570,00.html Cloud (2002) primarily discusses the science of marijuana and it's health effects, especially it's potential medical uses in his article. Several questions about marijuana are raised and answered in detail, such as: Can it kill you', Does it make you sick', Can it give you cancer', Is it addictive', Does it make you stupid', What about sex', and Do the sick really benefit' Although this article is somewhat outdated, I think that most of it's information could be useful in mainly supporting but also contradicting my position on the legalization of marijuana. Clarke, A. (Director). (1995). HEMP REVOLUTION [Documentary]. Germany: Vanguard Cinema. A well presented documentary (Hemp Revolution, 1995) that calls into question just why marijuana/hemp is illegal and presents a long list of well researched and convincing reasons why it should not be. It's put together in a way that is not patronizing but points the finger at those who are guilty of depriving the public of the truth as it concerns the benefits of a plant which is demonized through the efforts of the various politically powerful corporate interests (petrochemical, textile, pharmaceutical and logging to name a few) with which hemps products would compete... and likely compete very successfully. Who wouldn’t rather use a superior product' And history says that for rope, canvas and cloth, for the making of paper, for biofuels like ethanol and for many health applications, hemp derivatives are superior. Klein, J. (2009, April 2). Why Legalizing Marijuana Makes Sense. time, 1. Retrieved February 16, 2011, from http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1889021,00.html Klein (2009) discusses, in his article, why legalizing marijuana makes sense. He points out that "We spend $150 billion on policing and courts, and 47.5% of all drug arrests are marijuana-related." Klein (2009) also discusses various forms of marijuana decriminalization that are being enacted in the United States and how the legalization and taxation of marijuana could have a positive economic impact. This piece definitely supports my position on the legalization of marijuana and would be a great resource to use to help make my point in an argument. Mehling, R. (2003). Chapter 6 Marijuana and the Law. Marijuana (pp. 80-95). Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers. This chapter gives the straight facts about marijuana's legal history. Mehling (2003) points out how the Prohibition had an effect on the legislation against marijuana in the late 1930's. Mehling (2003) also goes into great detail on the debate of legalizing medical marijuana. Because this chapter is all fact and no opinion, I feel that it will help to both support and contradict my position on the legalization of marijuana. NORML. (2011, February 28). 5 States May Adopt Home Grow” Medical Marijuana Laws. Opposing Views: Issues, Experts, Answers. Retrieved March 1, 2011, from http://www.opposingviews.com/i/5-states-may-adopt-%E2%80%9Cno-home-grow%E2%80%9D-medical-marijuana-laws This fact and opinion based article posted by NORML (2011) basically talks about their opinion on home cultivation of marijuana specifically grown to provide a medical supply for a patient. I feel that the use of this article in my position on the legalization of marijuana would most definitely help to complicate the attitude toward my subject. Harvey, B. (Director). (2007). The Union: The Business Behind Getting High [Documentary]. United States: Peace Arch Home Entertainment. Wonderfully produced and educated look into the world of marijuana. The arguments made on both sides of this topic are portrayed well and it makes one think why we are not capitalizing on such a wonderful plant. This is a great look at how our culture has come to fear a simple plant, how big business/corporations have come to have too much influence on our lives and policies and how little we know of the information we receive in our current media. It is fair and balanced in its approach to policy in light of society’s acceptance of alcohol, prescription drugs and over the counter meds. It is also a great examination of the US penal system and the money and attitude that fuels it. Watch it and ponder how many lives have been ruined by smoking pot as compared to how many lives have been ruined by the policies against it. Top 10 Pros and Cons - Medical Marijuana - ProCon.org. (2009, May 6). Medical Marijuana ProCon.org. Retrieved February 16, 2011, from http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php'resourceID=000141 These are the Top 10 Pro and Con statements on whether marijuana should be a medical option. These statements include physicians' perspectives, medical organizations' opinions, U.S. government officials' views, and marijuana's risks and effects. I feel that these statements contain information that will both support and contradict my position on the legalization of marijuana. Welchand, W. M., & Leinwand, D. (2010, March 8). Slowly, states are lessening limits on marijuana. USA Today. Retrieved February 16, 2011, from http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-03-08-marijuana_N.htm USA TODAY (2010) reports that taxing and regulating marijuana will make it less available to children than it is today. Noting that kids have stated that it's easier for them to get marijuana than alcohol because drug dealers don't ask for ID like the government requires to purchase alcohol. On a different note, USA TODAY (2010) quotes Tom McLellan, deputy director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy saying, "We have the safest medications in the world and it's not a coincidence. We have an enviable process by which we approve medications, and that's through the (Food and Drug Administration)," he says. "It's a bad idea to approve medication by popular vote.” I think this article has plenty of information to both support and contradict my position on the legalization of marijuana.