Controversy Analysis and Rhetorical Analysis - Essay Example

25 September Controversy Analysis and Rhetorical Analysis A poll conducted in the recent past shows the desire of a great number of people for marijuana, popularly known as pot, to be legalized for recreational purposes too. Assuming marijuana was to be legalized as a recreational drug, why should it? Why shouldn’t it? According to a poll conducted by the Behavior research Center in 2010, “a staggering 51 percent of Arizonans said, “Yes” to the legalization of pot while only 49 percent were opposed to this thus approving the Proposition 203” (Gerber, 96). Gerber uses Inartistic proof to prove his point on the desire of the people by giving research-based evidence. Pot has been legalized in Arizona but under certain regulations. According to Donovan, “The Arizona Department of Health was then tasked with the regulation of sales and the use of marijuana solely for medicinal purposes” (Donovan, 107). Donovan uses alliteration as is shown by the repetition of consonants sounds /t/ to bring about flow in the sentence. The discussion only gets as interesting as it is controversial. Mr Scott a board member of Students for Sensible Drug policy faced felony charges for possessing marijuana for his personal use. According to him, “the incident made me realize that every year; hundreds of thousands of people were arrested in connection to marijuana as well as other drugs. It is wrong as these people had not committed any violent crimes nor were they selling drugs,” (Moriah, n.p.). Moriah makes use of the point of view by using 1st person to express Mr. Scott’s standpoint. So, who quantifies or qualifies legalization or prohibition? The controversy is pretentious and shows a society that is not yet ready for change. Thus, Geber states that, “While the pioneers of these movements, though passionate for changes in what seemed like a redundant and hypocritical society, worked hard to bring about radical changes in cultures and religions the world over, proponents of the legalization feel that they are indeed the messiah to the Arizona population” (Gerber, 107). In this statement, figurative language is used as it combines both assonance and alliteration to express the thoughts of theses first campaigners of legalization of Marijuana. Some people are of a different opinion. “For what seems to be strong political reasons, this will indeed not seem like a smart decision as it will pass for reckless policy bred out of ignorance and the indifference to the detrimental and profound effects it has on the youth and the general public safety” (107-9). Gerber uses hasty generalization as the statement is too quick a judgment. The statement is based on a generalized people’s point of view and not on a reality. Also, Mr. Ryan, a retired police officer in Denver, as well as a member of the Law Enforcement against Prohibition, argues that “in my 36 years of law enforcement, I have never had a problem with marijuana users” (Moriah). Moriah utilizes the point of view strategy whereby the statement is written in first person to express Mr. Ryan’s viewpoint. So how is Marijuana used? The drug is, usually, smoked. “A study conducted in the United States found people that smoke marijuana to have more health problems as well as missing more days at work due to the respiratory illnesses compared to their non-using counterparts. It has however not been established whether marijuana smoking can be attributed to the risk of lung cancer” (Baer, 126). Baer uses inartistic proof to give evidence based on research and facts. A number of studies have also linked chronic marijuana use with mental illness. According to these studies, “marijuana in high doses can cause a temporary psychotic reaction that may comprise of paranoia and hallucinations. In other users, the use of marijuana may lead to the worsening of courses of illnesses in patients that have schizophrenia” (Donovan, 169). Donovan also makes use of inartistic proof to give evidence on the effects of marijuana use and dispense any myths. Relationship between marijuana, as well as other mental health problems namely anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts in adolescents, have been established. Baer explains that “during pregnancy, marijuana is related with the risk of the neurobehavioral problems in the babies. Courtesy of THC and other compounds that are used in marijuana mimicking the mother’s endocannabinoid chemicals, medics say that the use of marijuana among pregnant women may alters the developing endocannabinoid systems in the brains of the fetus. The problems in the children will include attention problems, problem-solving issues and the memory coordination” (Baer, 135-137). It is another case where Baer has used inartistic proof to explain his argument based on evidence. The medical fraternity is tasked with educating the society on the addiction process. It is said that, “The use of marijuana for recreational purposes should not be viewed as a moral failing or as an easily abandoned act of self-indulgence” (178). Here, Baer, uses assonance with the repetition of the sound /a/. While most legalization proponents claim that they would only legalize the drugs for the adult population only, maintaining this quota will only present an elusive and ill-conceived dream. Reason being youngsters will access the drug. “These youngsters may or may not be oblivious to the long-term effects of the drug use. In the case study of the Netherlands which had established coffee shops that customers had the option of selecting marijuana as they did ice-cream flavors, the rate of adolescents using the marijuana almost tripled” (180). Again, Baer makes use of inartistic proof to prove his point on abuse of the drug by youngsters. The recent activities in Sweden show how a well-planned restrictive policy can be effective. Restriction also seems not to be the ultimate solution to any problem, as shown in the 20th century when alcohol seemed to be an economic problem. “This is what is popularly known as the Prohibition Era. The counter effects are that instead of most people completely giving up the bottle; most continued to binge drink while others who did not even take it before took to the activity. Worse still, there emerged cartels headed by the likes of Al Capone who now operated a black economy that sold alcohol to people at exorbitant prices” (Gitlin, 24). Gitlin uses hyperbole to denote the price of alcohol. However, the questions of why it should and should not be are bound to get varied answers depending on whom or what party is answering these questions. In an interview with a member of Legalization Group in University of Arizona; he said that, “marijuana should be legalized because the drug war has led to the loss of life of many people like me.” (Legalization Group). The interviewee uses symbolism to express what type of people, people like him. Legalization to the use of marijuana will not in any way lead to a decrease in the number of marijuana users. Neither will prohibition. In the Christian and Muslim faiths, drug use or abuse is highly discouraged. “According to these faiths, and society in general, the ripple effect of the legalization will fall to morality problems as well as other deep reaching problems a factor that only leads to the debate growing more and more interesting (Gitlin 36-45). Gitlin has used foreshadowing to make the reader think of future implications of marijuana legalization. Works cited Baer, Hans A, Merrill Singer, and Ida Susser . Medical Anthropology and the World System. New York: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2003. Print. Legalization Group. Personal interview. 23 September 2014. Donovan, Todd, Daniel Smith,Tracy Osborn and Christopher Mooney. 4th ed. State and Politics. Chicago: Cengage Learning, 2014. Print. Gerber, Joseph R. Legalizing marijuana: drug policy reform and Prohibition politics. New York: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2004. Print. Gitlin, Martin. The Prohibition Era. Kansas: Juvenile Nonfiction, 2011. Print. Moriah Costa. Could Arizona legalize marijuana? Two groups want issue on ballot. 7 March, 2014. Web. 18 September 2014. National Institute on Drug Abuse: The science of Drug Abuse and Addiction. NIDA, n.d. Web. 18 September 2014. Sanchez, Yvonne and Mary Reinhart. Judge to Brewer: Follow voters’ will, proceed on pot dispensaries. The Republic, 19 January, 2012. Web. 18 September 2014. Read More