NCJ Number
194580
Date Published
2001
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This paper provides an overview of marijuana research conducted since early 2000 and specifically reviews marijuana use among children. Additionally, the author recounts medical marijuana legislation that occurred in the year 2000 and predicts possible medical marijuana legislation for 2001.
Abstract
This paper overviews both general marijuana research that has occurred since early 2000 and, more specifically, the research concerning medical marijuana use. The author recounts many studies from the years 1999 through early 2001 to demonstrate the harmfulness of ingesting marijuana both recreationally and medicinally. No new study of marijuana is offered by this author, rather he makes his argument against medical marijuana use by outlining the many studies that show its' harmfulness. The author further shows how marijuana use has increased among children, especially those that lack "hands-on" parents. He links this increase to a more permissible attitude concerning the drug in States that have passed medical marijuana laws. The author ends his discussion by reviewing medical marijuana legislation that occurred in the year 2000 and predicts future medical marijuana legislation for the year 2001. He shows how medical marijuana legislation is difficult for police officers to enforce and further suggests that this type of legislation is simply a gateway for legalizing marijuana altogether.