Abstract
The paper analyzes two research articles in an attempt to present arguments for the legalization of cannabis. The articles covered are: “Acute Effects of Marijuana Smoking on Aggressive, Escape and Point-Maintained Responding of Male Drug Users” and “Abstinence Symptoms Following Smoked Marijuana in Humans.” Both papers feature the small-scale research of the effects marijuana has on human organism and psyche. The “Acute Effects of Marijuana…” research seems to contain a methodological mistake which prevents the results from being representative. The other article provides an accurate representation of the abstinence symptoms in marijuana users. It presents a strong argument for the legalization by giving a factual assessment of the psycho and physiological effects of TGC. The “Acute Effects of Marijuana…” research while faulty still illustrates the point that behavioral changes observed in marijuana users can be explained by different factors. In both cases, the articles conclude that the harmful effects of marijuana are limited and do not exceed the effects of alcohol and tobacco. This gives ground to a conclusion that criminalization of cannabis is unjustified, and the legalization of the drug in some states is a step in a right direction.
The question of marijuana legalization has been a matter for heated discussion for the longest time. Now that some states start to take steps towards accepting the substance, it is a suitable time to access the question once more from a purely psychopharmacologic standpoint. This paper aims to prove that cannabis is not more harmful than legal drugs and should be legalized.
Articles Summary
This paper focuses on two articles: “Acute Effects of Marijuana Smoking on Aggressive, Escape and Point-Maintained Responding of Male Drug Users” and “Abstinence Symptoms Following Smoked Marijuana in Humans.” The first one deals with the psychological effects of marijuana. The study used data gathered from eight male patients to access the effects of marijuana on aggressive, non-aggressive and escape behaviors. After receiving a dose of the drug or a placebo cigarette the subjects were given an opportunity to play a game by pulling one of three levers to earn money-exchangeable points, steal them from other participants, or protect their points from aggression. The subjects were provoked by points being deducted from their counters allegedly by another participant.
The research discovered an increase in aggressive behavior in the first hour after smoking marijuana (Cherek et al., 1993). The second research deals with the abstinence in marijuana users. It is based on the data from 12 males who participated in a 21-day long experiment. They lived in a laboratory under constant surveillance and administered placebo or marijuana four times a day. The periods of placebo and drug intake were intermittent. The research found that abstinence decreased food intake and caused various negative effects including “irritability” and “stomach pain” (Haney, Ward, Comer, Foltin & Fischman, 1999).
Methodology Critique
Both research articles present valuable insights into the possible negative implications of marijuana use. However, “Acute effects of marijuana smoking on aggressive, escape and point-maintained responding of male drug users” can be heavily criticized for its methodology. The article describes “low socioeconomic level and minimal education” of the subjects, as well as stating that “Seven of the eight subjects met criterion for antisocial personality disorder” (Cherek et al., 1993). That means that the results may be largely explained by the personal psychological qualities of the subjects more than by the use of marijuana. However, even bearing that in mind, the article still illustrates the possible issues of marijuana abuse. It also underlines the importance of considering the subjects of the research when reviewing it and making decisions based on it.
Arguments for Legalization in Articles
While I have reasons to disagree with the findings of the first article, the second one clearly points out the issues of marijuana abstinence. When considering the legalization of any substance, it is important to take its addictiveness into consideration. The “Abstinence symptoms…” paper demonstrates that addiction can become an issue for marijuana users, but other assessments indicate that marijuana is much less addictive than alcohol or nicotine (Rabin, 2013). At first sight, the evidence from two research articles makes a strong point for the opponents of the legalization. However, if the results are analyzed further, it becomes apparent that the matter is much more complicated. The first research better illustrates, better than anything else, how the choice of subjects can make the outcome unclear. The second one does proves a point that marijuana can, in fact, be addictive, but it also demonstrates that the abstinence symptoms are less severe than in alcohol or opioid addicts. Overall, the articles show that the effects of TGC on the organism are no more harmful than the effects of other completely legal substances.
My Personal View of Legalization
In my opinion, the articles prove that marijuana can be safely legalized. With all of the supporting data from these and many other research papers, it appears that the current legislation is inconsistent on the matter of addictive substances. While the alcohol has a much more severe psychopharmacological effect, it is not prohibited and is freely sold to anybody above 21 years of age. From the purely medical standpoint, it means that either marijuana should be legal, or alcohol and tobacco should be banned. Since the history of the Prohibition has shown how ineffective the bans are at controlling addictive substances abuse, it makes more sense to stop criminalizing the recreational use of cannabis.
Global Implications of Legalization
On a broader scale, the issue of legalization concerns all of the psychoactive substances. Potentially, with the cannabis becoming legal, we may see some other drugs coming out of the shadows. And the decriminalization can play an important role in the research of such substances as well as their use in medical and psychological applications. Unquestionably, every drug raises different concerns in the eyes of the society. But control and research seem to be a wiser approach than politically driven prohibition which fuels crime and twists the public views. The legalization of marijuana may change the approach to drug control and use which will have an adverse effect on society in general, for better or for worse.
Conclusion
The case of the research articles covered in this paper illustrates several important points when it comes to the question of legalization. Firstly, on the purely medical level, the research shows that marijuana is equally or less harmful compared to alcohol and tobacco. Secondly, the articles demonstrate the importance of careful results analysis. Without it, many conclusions can be misleading both to the specialists and to the general audience. Both of these points are important when advocating the legalization of marijuana. While I have no personal experience in the matter, I firmly believe that legalization is the best way to control and research addictive substances.
References
Cherek, D., Roache, J., Egli, M., Davis, C., Spiga, R., & Cowan, K. (1993). Acute effects of marijuana smoking on aggressive, escape and point-maintained responding of male drug users. Psychopharmacology, 111(2), 163-168.
Haney, M., Ward, A., Comer, S., Foltin, R., & Fischman, M. (1999). Abstinence symptoms following smoked marijuana in humans. Psychopharmacology, 141(4), 395-404.
Rabin, R.C. (2013). Legalizing of Marijuana Raises Health Concerns. The New York Times. Web.