Week 8 Zarif

Throughout the week of the group speeches, among the other 3 groups, I found that the debate over the topic of marijuana attracted me in a way that while having flaws in their discussion, they still manage to bring on the message especially for the audience such as myself who understood the marijuana, or drugs in general, effects towards the earth's population. I believe that the character who portrays the worker who are against the legalization of marijuana did manage to boosts his ethos although some part of his claims were unclear. By cutting to the chase, he himself mentions that he was the one who worked on the marijuana development and had experienced many guilt feelings after having dealt with many wrong peoples while implicitly contributed to the drug overdose of those who abusively used it in the whole-wide world. He also stood up about his frankness by claiming that marijuana as powerful drug that has more risk compared to its benefits; although it is proven scientifically useful in reducing spasticity and pain reported by multiple sclerosis patients according to the LA Times.

I also found that the governor character did also portray her role in a confidence way in promoting her stance for the legalization of marijuana. She mentions that a common concern raised by people opposed to removing marijuana from the illicit market is the impact on teen marijuana use. Several recent reports have examined that question and found that, in the majority of medical marijuana states, youth used decreased after the medical marijuana law was passed. This has been attributed to a diminishing of the “forbidden fruit” effect, and decreased access as marijuana moved from the streets to inside licensed dispensaries. This creates a good image on her as a rejuvenator and supporter of marijuana legalization.

At the same time, rates of mental illness have remained stable in light of changes in marijuana consumption levels. For example, when marijuana use rates have increased, there have been no increases in schizophrenia diagnoses. We do see these types of correlations, however for other behaviors that are connected. For example, rates of diabetes in the U.S. have increased as obesity rates have increased. This is not to say, however, that there is no relationship between psychoactive substances and mental functioning. Some effects of marijuana use can include feelings of panic, anxiety and paranoia. Such experiences can be frightening, but the effects are temporary.