Ethicsa

Running head: CURRENT EVENT Current Event and Ethical Theory Danielle Decker MGT/216 April.5-2010 Francis Marshall CURRENT EVENT Current Event and Ethical Theory Ethical dilemmas may compromise ones moral beliefs; it is often an unsettling feeling that something is amiss. Ethical reasoning consists of making decisions (Nelson & Trevino, 2006) and people make decisions based on their moral values. Each individual's socioeconomic status builds the belief system of moral values. Oftentimes what is "wrong" is associated with committing a "sin" or breaking the law. Each person grows to learn what not to do for fear of punishment and often strives to do what is "right" to seek the reward. The Federal law reins the supreme law of the land and States laws apply only within the borders of the State. Acting in an ethically correct manner, respected citizens are expected to abide by the law. The complexities of the laws have disabled otherwise respected citizens from abiding by all laws. The prohibition of marijuana for medical purposes has become an ethical dilemma for many California residents. Federally the drug is still a Schedule 1, which has the requirements of high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. Federally marijuana is 2 considered dangerous and no prescriptions can be written for the drug. It may be understood that possessing, cultivating, using, and selling marijuana is strictly against Federal Law. For those that reside in California these laws may seem so farfetched and even unethical. California passed Proposition 215, which allowed patients to use marijuana for medicinal purposes. Senate Bill 420 furthered the rights for patients to the availability of medicine. Under these laws patients may cultivate up to six mature plants and possess up to eight ounces of dried cannabis flowers. To become a patient one must be a resident of the State of California, obtain proper identification from the DMV, and seek a doctor who will write a recommendation letter. With more than 1,000 collectives in Los Angeles country alone the cannabis industry is of growing curiosity. It is not ethically "wrong" to allow sick people availability to medication. If CURRENT EVENT someone has AID's and cannot eat, but can ingest their medication that stimulates their appetite they will be able to eat a little more. For many people it seems morally right to have this medication available to those that see the benefits. 3 The conflict between state and Federal laws is an ethical dilemma in current events. It may appear that pharmaceutical companies are in business to make a profit. Doctors are bribed to prescribe new medications to patients. The price of prescription drugs continues to increase at the cost of the patients checkbooks. It is federally legal to pay for the prescription drugs that may cause stroke, heart attack, seizures, or even death, but it is not legal to be in possession of a plant. In the past research experiments on marijuana were also prohibited, unless it was to prove the negative effects. Former President Nixon declared the "War on Drugs" and accompanied his campaign with such propaganda as the 1930's movie "Reefer Madness. " Ironically there has been no known cause of death by marijuana. It may even be safe to say it is nearly impossible to overdose on marijuana. If marijuana is over consumed the person is likely to take a long nap and may be hungry. For many terminally ill patients developing the side effects of sleep and hunger are only positive. Collectives are run primarily by patients for patients keeping in mind the moral issues in business. Due to "sales" being illegal, California collectives are nonprofit based organizations. Patients donate to their collective of choice and in return receive medicine for their ailments. People work "collectively" to help one another to acquire a higher standard of living even in the face of death. Steele Smith and his wife Theresa Smith were operating their collective in full compliance with the state laws when the DEA came knocking at their door. Steele suffers from a rare disease, which affects his digestive track with many ulcers. His wife took over the role as his caretaker and quit her job when her husband became very ill. The Smith's hired a young man CURRENT EVENT 4 who suffers from elephant man syndrome to help in the operations of the collective. The Smith's also welcomed a homeless man into their home out of the kindness of their hearts. All four of them are currently facing a mandatory minimum sentencing of at least 10 years in federal prison. Many marijuana arrests are because of compounded charges. However, these are not the circumstances in the Smith's case. In hearing them tell their story they are honest, law abiding citizens, which involved themselves with medical marijuana because they believe marijuana had saved Steele's life. Unable to take pills due to his condition Steele turned to medical marijuana for some relief. For the involvement with marijuana the charges are being placed upon the four individuals; keeping in mind the Smiths were in complete compliance with California State laws. Currently there is no defense for medical marijuana allowed in federal court. It makes sense why "users" of marijuana are often paranoid. The most courageous aspect of this event is that the Smith's did not take the "bargain" the court offered them, but decided to fight the case and defend them against this wrong-doing. There has yet to be a case in federal court that allowed the defense of "medical"; Steele's case could be the first. If ethics is about making decisions and questioning what doesn't "feel" right, then the Smith's have already show great courage is standing by their values. When the law contradicts its self in terms of ethical dilemmas, it is up to the citizens to decide on what is right. Unfortunately, the judicial system has the final say in the verdict, but there is no regret in fighting for what is right. The Steele's case may break the mold of the federal court system and pave the way for future considerations for medical as a defense in court. Many other cases exist of innocent people being convicted of crimes and facing serious sentences for their involvement with medical marijuana. Many find prosecution for possession an incredible waste of resources. In places such as Oakland the citizens voted to decriminalize CURRENT EVENT medical marijuana is an effort to allocate resources for more serious crimes. In November 2010 there will be an initiative to vote to tax and regulate cannabis for adult consumption. The restrictions on marijuana will be those similar to alcohol with respect to keep away from children. This ballot has the potential to raise significant revenue for California and opens the 5 possibilities for new businesses. The ethical concerns of marijuana are changing and being aware of the change in industry will further the insight of the potential good this plant has to offer. Being morally aware of the laws enacted or will be enacted is important in being a responsible ethical person. The tragedy of 9/11 occurred nearly 9 years ago, yet the laws passed during that time of crisis are still active today. It is frightening to see that many people do not know what the Patriot Act is or how the fundamental freedoms are constricted. Many young adults do not know the Bill of Rights, nor do they know how to properly exercise their rights. Law officials know how to acquire information from people and people ignore their right to not self incriminate. Although the law may have been designed to be ethically correct, time has a way of changing society's view on what is "right." Slaves were people too, but were not considered citizens. Women worked everyday just as a man did, but her place was in the home. It is not ethical to discriminate against another culture, but people have their prejudices. A community may adapt to a set of moral rules to follow and live by. It is the individual perception of the value and circumstance for those moral rules that differ. "The deontological tradition holds that what makes an action right is not the sum of its consequences but the fact that is conforms to moral law" (DeGeorge, 2005, p.81). No one answer is right and not every action need punishment. Each person perceives both right and wrong differently. Conflicts will arise concerning ethical reasoning for decisions and it is likely negotiation will follow. The criteria for an effective CURRENT EVENT 6 negotiation are quality, harmony, and efficiency (Schermerhorn & Hunt, 2008, p.352). In order to invoke change it is crucial to negotiate. One must be willing to hold their ground as well as be willing to compromise on the outcome. The prohibition of marijuana has been going on for decades with only slow change to show for it. Persistence will inflict change and in a democracy there is power in numbers. Virtues, values, and moral concepts are all a matter of perception. In business the individual will respond to moral issues, especially ones that compromise one's own ethical code. It is how the individual chooses to respond that is truly important. People face ethical dilemmas each day and may rarely notice it unless it is pointed out by another. People compromise their values often in business because it is for the "good" of the company. External social pressures influence business ethics by pharmaceutical companies bribing doctors to prescribe the new medications; prohibiting and even imprisoning patients for the cultivation of their own medicine. People see these current issues in their communities or personal lives and want change. It does not seem ethically right to spend state revenue on prosecuting medical patients that abide by state law, whereas there are still child molesters that roam the streets. It is however morally wrong to willing give up ones rights when caught in the hands of the law. Each individual is socialized to believe a set of ethical rules. Ethical turmoil exists and there is no right or wrong answer, there is only perception. CURRENT EVENT References DeGeorge, R.T. (2005). Business Ethics (6th ed.). Retrieved 7 fromhttps://ecampus.phoenix.edu/content/eBookLibrary2/content/TQC.aspx'assetdataid =lf86b4b2-4815-429a-b34d-3b4769707938&assetmetaid=01d8d6dl-0005-4d85-8b3115d31f4151cb. Hunt, J.G., Osborn, R.N., & Schermerhorn, J.R. (2008). Organizational Behavior (10th ed.). Wiley, New York, NY. Retrieved from: https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/classroom/ic/classroom.aspx. Nelson, K.A., & Trevino, L.K. (2006). Managing Business Ethics: Straight Talk About How To Do It Right (4th ed.). Retrieved fronihttps://ecampus.phoenix.edu/content/eBookLibrary2/content/TOC.aspx'assetdataid =53912428-e881-4398-a22a-5b331823b24c&assetmetaid=8d653737-8ba7-4b71-8fdf99db0620d41d. Robbins, S.P., & Judge, T.A. (2009). Organizational Behavior (13th ed.). Retrieved from https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/content/eBookLibrary2/content/eReader.aspx.