Research Paper on Should Marijuana Be Legalized in the Countries It Is Considered Illegal?

Thesis Statement: Marijuana should not be legalized to reduce drug-impaired driving cases, to improve the nations education, health and productivity, to support smarter future drug-use policies and to reduce the costs of legalizing the drug.

Entry 1

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2017). The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research. National Academies Press.

This book presents evidence-based illustrations of the effects of allowing the use of marijuana in a country. This source is a published book that is containing current information applicable to the current situation in regards to the use of marijuana and its legalization. The source addresses the adverse effects of marijuana use, that makes it important in supporting the thesis statement by stating some of the reasons marijuana should not be legalized. The book is authored by the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, which is a qualified body in the field of drug use and abuse. The organization that authored the book has various contact details that can be easily acquired online. The information in the book comes from both secondary sources listed as references as well as research conducted by the organization. The information in the book is important in supporting the arguments in the discussion as it is clear and articulate on the reasons for opposing the legalization of marijuana.

Entry 2

Hall, W., & Weier, M. (2015). Assessing the Public Health Impacts of Legalizing Recreational Cannabis use in the USA. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 97(6), 607-615.

This article explains the impact of legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes in the USA on the users. The information has not been updated as it is derived from older sources that are useful. The information in the article targets people who support the legalization of marijuana, it, therefore, helps in answering the discussion question. The source contains moderate information that addresses the issues in the discussion. The authors of the article are Weier M. and Hall W. who are qualified professionals in drug use and abuse. They have written other articles addressing issues of drug use and their effects at the University of Queensland. The article has relevant and informative references that support the information. The Source is informative on the dangers of legalizing marijuana for any purpose or for any reason in the USA. The information in the article supports the implementation of smatter drug control policies in a country.

Entry 3

Haberstick, B. C., Young, S. E., Zeiger, J. S., Lessem, J. M., Hewitt, J. K., & Hopfer, C. J. (2014). Prevalence and Correlates of Alcohol and Cannabis Use Disorders in the United States: Results from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Drug & Alcohol Dependence, 136, 158-161.

The article addresses some relationships between Marijuana and alcohol in terms of use and the effects in the USA. The information in the article was posted in the year 2004, which still makes it relevant in the discussion of the health effects of marijuana. The information in the article is written in standard and correct English and it is moderate, which makes it important for the discussion. The article has several authors with the correct academic qualifications for addressing the issue of drug use and abuse. The information is based on both research ventures and on various secondary sources that support the study. The authors clearly articulate the issues surrounding the correlation between marijuana and alcohol, which makes the legalization of marijuana not permissible. The information in the source is vital in addressing the health and education aspects of failing to promote the legalization of marijuana.

Entry 4

Pacula, R. L., Kilmer, B., Wagenaar, A. C., Chaloupka, F. J., & Caulkins, J. P. (2014). Developing Public Health Regulations for Marijuana: Lessons from Alcohol and Tobacco. American Journal of Public Health, 104(6), 1021-1028.

The source addresses the need to establish a better regulatory framework in dealing with the issue of marijuana by citing alcohol and tobacco as examples. The source was published in the year 2014 which makes it necessary that part of the information be reviewed and updated, though a better part of the information is still much useful, especially in addressing the health implications of legalizing marijuana. The source is relevant to the discussion as it presents responses to the research question in terms of stating the health implication of marijuana legalization. The authors of this article have experience in drug use and abuse as they have carried out various research initiatives and written reports on the same. The article creates awareness about the need for proper regulatory frameworks for preventing the legalization or use of marijuana.

Entry 5

Volkow, N. D., Baler, R. D., Compton, W. M., & Weiss, S. R. (2014). Adverse Health Effects of Marijuana use. New England Journal of Medicine, 370(23), 2219-2227.

The source addresses the possible effects that legalization of marijuana can cause to a countrys population. The article was published in the year 2014, which make the older sources used in the development of the article useful in the current discussion about marijuana legalization. The article addresses the health implications of marijuana use in standard English and in a clear and precise presentation. The source is important in the study in addressing the health implications of marijuana legalization such as accidents caused due to drug-impaired driving. The authors of this article are Volkow, Baler, Compton and Weiss, who have the academic qualifications and the experience to address the issue of drug abuse. The language used in this article is strictly academic and unbiased.

Entry 6

Kilmer, B., Caulkins, J. P., Pacula, R. L., MacCoun, R. J., & Reuter, P. (2010). Altered state? Assessing How Marijuana Legalization in California Could Influence Marijuana Consumption and Public Budgets. Santa Monica, CA: RAND.

This book presents the costs of legalizing marijuana on the individual users. The book was authored in the year 2010 by Kilmer, Caulkins, Pacula and Reuter. The content of the book is based on research as well as secondary sources, that are listed as references. The content of the book is useful in the discussion as it is neither too advanced or too elementary to add any value to the discussion. The information in this book is accurate, reliable and strictly academic. The book both teaches and informs the public about the costs of legalizing marijuana. This makes it an important work in addressing the cost of legalizing Marijuana, which is one of the points in the discussion.