+1 862 207 3288 For our last week before the Symposium, we will be discussing public policy and how it pertains to the way that Americans treat drug abuse and treatment policies. Returning to our Week 4 discussion, our most current debates surround the legalization of marijuana. I personally recall this debate throughout high school debate classes and well into my own undergraduate degree. What is shocking to me is that there has finally been some movement in many states . Check out these sites to learn more:
http://library.cqpress.com.ezproxy.library.berkeley.org/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqr_ht_legalizing_marijuana_2014&type=hitlist&num=17
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/cannabis/
• What are your thoughts on legalization of marijuana? Why or why not?
• What are your thoughts on legalization of ALL drugs? Why or why not?
• As someone with a child with a medical condition that can be successfully treated with marijuana, I am frequently asked if that has changed my views on legalization. Do YOU think your thoughts would change if marijuana or another illegal substance was found to successfully treat your condition or the condition of a loved one? Do you set limits on how severe the condition would need to be? Only for some conditions or all? (hint: marijuana for example has been shown successful for increasing appetite and nausea reduction for AIDS and cancer suffers, reducing eye pain from the pressure of glaucoma, and seizure reduction for epileptics. Are all equally as important in your eyes?
• Has the “War on Drugs” been successful in your view? Why or why not?
• Should we continue incarcerating individuals for drug use? If not, what should be done as an alternative? If yes, why do you think we should continue this practice?
• Have your opinions changed since the beginning of this course? Why or why not?
