Should the UK Allow Medical Marijuana?

Should the UK Allow Medical Marijuana?Should Marijuana be De sadised and or Legalised for Health Reasons in the U.K?Research Plan forthwith most young throng lend oneself close to type of medicine, even though they are illegal. check to Gov (2017) ganja is the most car parkly used drug in the last year and has been for over 15 years. Marijuana originates from the fannynabis sativa plant. It comes in a variety of forms such as dried plant leaves, flowers and oils which croup be dirty dogd or eaten. Better Health (2013) state that there is a chemical in toleratenabis called tetrahydro movenabinol (also known as THC) this is marihuanas main mind-altering ingredient, which acts users feel high. THC is a psychoactive substance, which means that it travels in a persons bloodstream to the brain. It disrupts the brains normal functioning and causes certain intoxicating cause. The fastest way to feel the effects of hemp is to inhale the smoke, the effects are usually felt inwa rdly minutes. The immediate sensationsincreased heart rate, lessened coordination and balance and a dreamy, unreal state of mindpeak within the first 30 minutes. These short-term effects usually wear off in two to three hours, but they could last perennial, depending on how much the user consumes and the potency of THC (Drug free world, 2018). According to Addiction (2011), countries such as Finland, Israel and Portugal concur all de criminalised hemp. Portugal, view drug taking as a wellness issue rather than a criminal issue in the country. Instead of arrests, those implant with drugs are sent to health check panels, consisting of a psychologist, social workers and legal advisor for appropriate treatment. Around the world there are a growing number of countries where marihuana use is permitted and regulated for recreational purposes such as Amsterdam, Nevada and Colorado. Also, there is growth with pharmaceutical grade cannabis delinquent to its acceptance for medicinal pr operties. 29 American states including Florida, Michigan and Arizona have legalised marihuana for medical reasons (Gov, 2018). This essay exiting seek and analyse quintareas surrounding marijuana consumption to determine whether it should be decriminalisedand/or legalised for medical reasons. This essay will investigate differentsocietal perspectives who uses it and wherefore they use it. The implications from twain a legal and healthperspective and whether the health benefits outweigh the risks allincorporated into the following questions.Societaland sociological implication of cannabis use Is the actual legislation fair? Whatare the negative effects on health? Whatare the psychological causes of using marijuana? Whatare the benefits?The type of research undertaken will be keyto the validity and accuracy of this document. To achieve this, three types ofresearch will be explained and analysed. The first to be discussed is quantitativeresearch. Quantitative research is factual , knowledge gathered fromstatistics and numbers. For example, how many individuals consume marijuanaregularly. This entropy specifies the actual number of users but does not clarifythe reasons why. Primary research involves gathering newdata that has not been collected before, such as, surveys using questionnairesor interviews with groups of people. Secondary researchinvolves gathering existing data that has already been produced. For example,researching the internet, newspapers and company reports. This essay will engage this method as opposed to primary reserch due to the absence of an ethics panel at thecollege. The research carried out will look at statistics, legitimate websites,journal articles and newspapers these along with further reading will beanalysed and evaluated in an attempt to address the essay question with an transparent viewpoint despite potentially conflicting findings. Project quantifytable January 11-25Decide topic begin researchmeet supervisor to discuss subject matter finalise essay question.February 1-22Continue research analysedata.April 8-23Compile information into essayformat final meeting with supervisor.May 9-14Audit essay form a conclusionevaluate demonstration read and submit essay.The essay will endeavor to contain conflictingpoints to enable the reader to sum up their own conclusion. The informationgathered and utilised will be obtained from esteemed sources, along with themost recent government data and health statistics to ensure reliability andvalidity of the information. Health and safety will also be in mind whilecompleting the essay. Regular breaks will be taken whilst using a computer toavoid the occurrence of visionary side effects and repetitive strain injury. Data will be reported accurately and containreferences throughout to avoid plagiarism. Should Marijuana be Decriminalised and or Legalised for Medical Reasons in the U.K?Official statistics from Gov (2017) doom that in 2016/17, 6.6% (around 2.2 million) of peopleaged 16 to 59 consumed marijuana. This has dropped since measurements began in1996 (when the proportion was 9.4%). Since 2009/10 it has remained essentially durable at between 6 and 7 per cent. Out of the possible 2.2 million users, onemillion of these were 16-24-year olds. In addition to this, 34% of 16-24-yearolds who consume marijuana birdsong to be frequent users. Its use is also moreprevalent among men than women, in the 2017 survey 9% of men admitted to usingmarijuana compared with just 4.2% of women. Lastly, people living in deprivedareas were more likely to be frequent drug users. A larger proportion (4.5%) ofrespondents who lived in deprived areas consumed marijuana ofttimes comparedwith those who lived in the least deprived areas (2.3%). Therefore, youngworking-class boys are the biggest consumers of marijuana. However, officialstatistics need to be treated with caution as they can be mis functioning andmisinterpreted, not everyone who uses marijuana will gi ve admission of theirconsumption. On the other hand, official statistics are useful in determiningthe changing rate of evil in certain areas over a period. In addition to thisthey can also dish to highlight police bias and stereotyping. InteractionistHoward Becker (1963) cited in Hazeldineet al, (2016), attributed thatthe police cross off and target young working-class people as potentially criminaland frequently stop, search and arrest them. Meaning, it is more likely for youngworking-class boys to be found with possession. Sociologists Richard Clowardand Lloyd Ohlin (1961) suggested that adolescents form retreatist subcultures (druggang) because they have failed in the opportunity structure of indian lodge (Haralambos et al, 2013). Although, this is a nave explanation of drugmisuse. Drug misuse is also super acid among successful middle-class professionalsand not just failed criminals or gang members as suggested by Cloward andOhlin. Also, interactionist Albert Cohen (1955) c ited in Giddens and Sutton (2015) claims thatworking-class boys lack opportunities to succeed, largely due to culturaldeprivation. emphasis from status frustration is realised through the creationof a deviant subculture in which the values of society are reversed. Like the interactionists view-point marxistsargue that the exploitation and conquering from the capitalists system leadsto feelings of alienation. Thus, encouraging drug consumption which leads todangerous addictions. However, not everyone suffering alienation from thecapitalist system turns to drugs (Browne et al, 2014). Marijuanahas been classified as a relegate B drug in the UK since 2008 and carriessignificant penalties associated with possession and production including amaximum prison sentence of 14 years (Legislation, 2018). Statistics from Gov (2017) show that in 2016 there were 99,779seizures of cannabis in the U.K. According to Browne et al(2014) marxists argue that illegal drugs help to safeguard classinequal ities by providing excuses for the police to criminalise theworking-class by giving drug convictions whereas, the ruling class are morelikely to be let off with a slap on the wrist. Interactionist Jock Young (1971) cited in Haralambos et al (2013) studied marijuana users in capital of the United Kingdom. Young arguedthat police respond to marijuana users as dirty, scruffy deviants whichconsequently, pushes them into that role. They no longer feel a conventionalpart of society and so become more unconventional as a reaction. Marijuana hasbeen placed in the alike(p) category as the dangerous drug Ketamine. Talk to Frank (2018) writethat Ketamine is a sizeable general anaesthetic and is used for operations onhumans and animals. Ketamine temporarily paralyses the body and gives a out ofbody near death experience which can cause hallucinations and bad trips.Overdose can result in a coma, respiratory failure and death. According to I the Office of internal Statistics(2016) Ketamine was liable for 160 deaths in 2016. Furthermore, in the U.K inebriant comes top ofthe list in the most commonly used recreational drugs. Alcohol is legal and widely available toadults over the age of 18 in the U.K. According to MPP (2018), marijuana is less toxic than alcohol,less addictive, less harmful to the body, and less likely to contribute toviolent or reckless behaviour. Alcohol cogitate car accidents are far morelikely than marijuana related car accidents. In 2015, over 200 people werekilled in a route collision involving a driver over the legal limit (Department of Transport, 2017).Alcohol is also connected to many long-termside effects such as high blood pressure, raised cholesterol, liver disease andcancers. Alarmingly, in 2016 there were 7,327 alcohol specific deaths (Official for National Statistics,2016). Many online articles claim that marijuana cannot and is notresponsible for any deaths due to overdose. However, Dr Robert Gable (2004) ofthe Psychology department of Clermont university, cited in Caulkins,Kilmer and Kleinman (2016), concluded from a review into marijuanathat it may be responsible for two deaths of a direct overdose. While it may befactual that it is extremely rare to die from a marijuana overdose, it is anundeniable fact that nobody dies from a tobacco plant overdose. People do not smokethemselves to death, tobacco causes lung cancer, which is what causes death.So, in that same way marijuana cankillpeople in the form of moral illnesses, suicide and in the form of a caraccident while driving under the influence. In addition, there are alsoproblems with consume marijuana that is sold on the black market. It is oftencontaminated with toxic components which may cause more harm than the substanceitself. Thus, a regulated legal come forward can be contaminant free, pure andtherefore safer as correct dosage can be prescribed. Many argue that legalisation for medicinal purposes could make cannabis more socially acceptable and so en courage use of the substance and other drugs alike which may be more dangerous. However, according to Cerda et al (2015) research has shown that countries which have already legalised marijuana for medical reasons like the US have not seen an upsurge in the numbers of individuals using it. Additionally, the NHS (2017) write that 10% of regular cannabis users become dependent. Despite this, many claim that marijuana does not have addictive properties and that individuals become addicted to the nicotine (which the marijuana is smoked with) and not the marijuana itself. While this may have some truth, withdrawal symptoms such as cravings, difficulty sleeping, mood swings, irritability and restlessness are all common among individuals who consume marijuana regularly making it difficult to quit. Correspondingly, if a person smokes marijuana with tobacco, there is also great risk of contracting tobacco-related diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Although, this criticism has a contr adictive element. Hartney (2018) points out that there are already many highly addictive medications currently being prescribed by doctors in the U.K which have more dangerous side effects than marijuana. One being Tramadol, according to Office for National Statistics (2016) Tramadol was responsible for the lives of 208 people in 2015. However, when consuming marijuana it is common for the user to inhale more smoke and hold it in longer than they would a cigarette, to maximise the effects. Like other addictive drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, individuals can develop a tolerance to marijuana. Therefore, individuals need to consume more and more to get the same effect (Drug Wise, 2017). The mental consequences of marijuana use are equally severe. Marijuana smokers have poorer memories and mental aptitude than do non-users. Baler et al (2014) state that recent studies on young adults who smoke marijuana, found abnormalities in the brain related to emotion, motivation and decision-mak ing. Regular cannabis use from a young age can alsoincrease the risk of ontogenesis psychotic illness, such as schizophrenia. This is because the brain does not stop growing and forming connections until it is 25, and cannabis interferes with this process (Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2018). Although, this statement is a tricky one, According to Casarett (2015), a surprise number of people especially men will not seek professional help because they do not like the idea that they require help to manage their issues. This may be another reason why the vast majority of marijuana smokers are men. Some individuals report consuming marijuana helps economise their depression and dread. It could be argued that they turn to marijuana to self-medicate as opposed to admitting to another individual, for example, a doctor that they cannot cope. In other words, individuals may have turned to marijuana to help with their psychological problems in the first place. Thus, the psychological issue s were not created from consuming marijuana. Despite the negative, the harm and benefit of marijuana should depend on patients medical severity situation and needs the addiction of marijuana trades off with the expected length of a patients life. If a situation is terminal, it could be argued that the benefits meaningfully outweigh the risks. According to theBehaviourist Model addictive behaviour is considered as learned. Therefore, the root to smoking marijuana is apsychological one. Albert Banduras (1961) cited in Gross (2015) social learning theorysuggests that children learn social behaviour from observing a model. Childrenare four times more likely to smoke if their parents do (Ash, 2018). Additionally, individuals whosmoke are also more likely to divulge further in recreational drugs such asmarijuana. Some individuals may usemarijuana to gain acceptance. A behaviour explained by psychologist B. F.Skinner (1948), cited in Eysenck (2012), through operant conditioning aperson st arts to smoke to gain the powerful reinforcement of peerapproval. The new smoker associatesthese positive feelings with smoking. Positive reinforces cause production ofdopamine which provide the positive feelings and reward the behaviour. Thus, behaviour which is followed by amiableconsequences is likely to be repeated. Anotherpsychological theory is Ivan Pavlovs (1927) cited in Gross (2015) classical conditioning.Classical conditioning is realised when a specific foreplay causes a specific response. For example, individuals who regularly consumemarijuana to relax and de-stress afterwards work while watching the soaps, willstart to associate relax time in front of the tv as a time to light up a joint.In this case, sitting in front of the television after work and watching thesoaps (specific stimulus), can induce powerful cravings for marijuana (specificresponse) which can lead to relapse behaviours. It has been proven that chemicals found inmarijuana can palliate pain in people l iving with illnesses like multiplesclerosis and arthritis. According to Goldacre (2013), scientific studies of the chemicals in marijuana,called cannabinoids, hasled to two FDA-approved medications that contain cannabinoid chemicals in tabloidform in Canada, USA and some parts of Europe. Marijuana has also been effectiveat relieving some of the highly stressful side effects that emerge fromchemotherapy treatment such as nausea and vomiting (Doweiko, 2015). According to Drug abuse (2017), there isalso evidence to suggest that the marijuana chemical cannabidiol (CBD) cantreat certain conditions such as childhood epilepsy, a disorder that causes achild to have violent seizures. Scientists in the US have been reproducingmarijuana plants and making CBD in oil form for treatment purposes. CBD oil has low levels of the mind-alteringTHC, making it unpopular for recreational use.Nancy and Willard(2014) suggest that marijuana is used in a similar manner to alcohol.Most adults consume marijua na while socialising with friends or to relax afterwork. Some use marijuana for medical benefits, with others consuming marijuanafor therapeutic purposes, such as, help to facilitate with falling asleep andto alleviate arthritis. Some advocates believe that marijuana can relievestress, anxiety and depression. On the contrary, many argue that consumingmarijuana can trigger anxiety and depression. In fact, it is true the THC islinked to feelings of paranoia and anxiety as it activates the amygdala area ofthe brain, which is responsible for fear. However, CBD counteracts suchfeelings from THC. Studies show that taking CBD on its own can lower eveneliminate anxiety (Gould,2015). According to the American crabby person Society (2018), scientists reported that THC and othercannabinoids such as CBD slow growth and/or caused death in certain types ofcancer cells growing in lab dishes. Studies on animals also suggest thatcertain cannabinoids slow growth and reduce the spread of certain for ms ofcancer. Thisessay has investigated various aspects of marijuana consumption why peopleuse it what are the consequences in regard to legislation and health. Manyargue that marijuana has been put on a pedestal and falsely tagged a miracledrug. It is inevitable to say that there has been a lot of scaremongering andwishful thinking concerning marijuana consumption. However, there is not enoughreliable evidence into the extremity of how good or bad marijuana is for oneshealth. Some evidence and findings arevery controversial and contradict one another. For example, the claim thatconsuming marijuana can reduce the risk of certain cancers when it is a well-knownfact that smoking in the first place is responsible for almost all lungcancers. collectible to the low amounts of reliable evidence more independentunbiased research needs to be carried out to fully determine the abilities andside effects of marijuana. In conclusion, establish on the current evidence marijuanashould be dec riminalised in the U.K. individuals who are caught consumingmarijuana and who may have an addiction should be helped and not penalize andlabelled a criminal. Correspondingly, marijuana should be made legal formedicinal purposes as it clearly carries benefits for some people. However, onlyif the benefits outweigh the risks. For example, if the individual has apossible life-threatening illness. Moreover,advances in science, accompanied with further research into the currentmedications already available, (in the US) additional medications can be administered. If the drug is as beneficial as some researchsuggests then science could be bordering major breakthroughs concerningmarijuana, accepting and encouraging use further. Reference ListAddiction (2011). Decriminalizedmarijuana Top 10 countries in the world. online Addictionblog.org. operational at http//addictionblog.org/the-news/decriminalized-marijuana-top-10-countries-in-the-world/(Accessed 21 Apr. 2018).American CancerSociety (20 18). Marijuana and Cancer. online Available at https//www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/complementary-and-alternative-medicine/marijuana-and-cancer.html(Accessed 25 Apr. 2018).ASH (2018). Fact Sheets Archives exploiton Smoking and Health. online Available at http//ash.org.uk/category/information-and-resources/fact-sheets/(Accessed 25 Apr. 2018).Baler, R, D., Compton, W, M. Volkow, N, D.,Weiss, S, R, B. (2014) Adverse HealthEffects on Marijuana use. 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AMarxist review of Capitalism and Drug Use. online Redrave.blogspot.co.uk.Available at http//redrave.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/a-marxist-review-of-capitalism-and-drug.html(Accessed 18 Apr. 2018).Cancer Research(2018). Cannabis oil?. online Available athttps//www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-chat/thread/cannabis-oil-4Accessed 31 Mar. 2018.Cannabis Social Club. (2018). UK CannabisLaw. online Available at http//ukcsc.co.uk/cannabis-law/ (Accessed 17Apr. 2018).Christie, L.(2013). Which of these drugs is themost addictive and harmful, marijuana, alcohol, ecstasy, cocaine, heroin, ormeth? online Available athttps//www.quora.com/Which-of-these-drugs-is-the-most-addictive-and-harmful-marijuana-alcohol-ecstasy-cocaine-heroin-or-meth(Accessed 17 Apr. 2018).McLeod, S. (2015). BiologicalPsychology Simply Psychology. online Simplypsychology.org. Availableat https//www.simplypsychology.org/biological-psychology.html (Accessed 23Apr. 2018).Peele, S. (2016). How Does Social Class Affect Drug Abuse? Articles Addictions HealthyPlace. HealthyPlace. Available at https//www.healthyplace.com/addictions/articles/how-does-social-class-affect-drug-abuse/ (Accessed 17 Apr. 2018). United PatientsGroup. (2016). What are the best and healthiest ways to consume medicalcannabis?. online Available athttps//unitedpatientsgroup.com/resources/methods-of- consumption (Accessed 17Apr. 2018).EvaluationTheessay introduction stated some clear figures of the trends of marijuana overthe last few years and determined who in society is most likely to consumemarijuana. On the contrary, the introduction failed to generate a definitive reply as to why young working-class boys are the biggest consumers of marijuana,due to the absence of primary research. However, links to sociological theoriessupported the results that young working-class boys are the biggest consumersof marijuana.Theresearch within the essay was obtained from a wide range of reputable sourceswith the most recent information available. As discussed, due to the absence ofprimary research there was not an opportunity to examine the reasons on a morepersonal level as to why young working-class boys choose to consume marijuana whenevidence portrayed from the UK government suggest that it can lead topsychological issues and can cause certain types of cancers. Thedata researched and p resented was analysed and evaluated where possible officialstatistics from legitimate sources are generally accepted as reliable andinformative in their own right. In addition, further relations to sociologicaltheories along with psychological theories strengthened the conclusions ofcertain studies. In comparison, due to the lack of reliable sufficient unbiasedresearch, there could have been further analysis into the governmentsrole. With the recent claims thatmarijuana has certain cancer killing properties along with many other healthbenefits, the government should be aiming to provide newly found definitiveanswers concerning the risks and gains of marijuana. Theconclusion acknowledged that the lack of reliable and thorough research intothe strengths and weaknesses of using marijuana has influenced the answer tothe question that it should be decriminalised and legalised on the grounds ofmedicinal use only if the benefits outweigh the risks. However, the conclusionis based only on t he research analysed within the essay. Due to a limited wordcount further research and analysis which may have had an influence on theoverall conclusion may have been missed. Thus, the conclusion is relevant tothe findings within the essay however, additional and future research may leadto a different prognosis.