Legal and medical marijuana: Implications for HR and the workplace - Essay Example

College: Legal and medical marijuana: Implications for HR and the workplace Background on Marijuana What is Marijuana? Marijuana, also known as reefer, weed, pot, Mary Jane, MJ, or herb refers to a greenish-gray dried, shredded leaves, seds, flowers, and stems’ mixture of the hemp plant. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary ingredient of the weed enhances its consumption since it generates a tranquil state, and amplifies the senses (Hall & Solowij 1611). Side Effects Associated with MarijuanaIts consumption is associated with such side effects as death, acute hunger, relaxation, and hallucinations.

It leads into increased heart rate, relaxation, and enlargement of bronchial passages, as well as widens blood vessels in one’s eyes, thereby making them seem bloodshot. THC leads into dopamine release that generates euphoria. Benefits Associated with MarijuanaScheb and Scheb (231) associate the smoking of weed with numerous medical benefits, including being a harmless and efficient cure for symptoms of AIDS, glaucoma, cancer, and epilepsy among other conditions. Hall and Solowij (1612) assert that its smokers start feeling the impacts immediately the THC enters into one’s bloodstream and last for between one and three hours.

History and background of marijuana in the US The earliest documented case of the herb dates back to approximately 2500 B.C. This occurred in the primordial Chinese cultures, whereby hemp was discovered to be a useful pain reliever and generate a serene ecstasy in individuals who ingested it. Since then, hemp has spread across the global cultures. It arrived in the contemporary US during the institution of North American colonies by the British. Marijuana became a widespread stuff among the Americans during imperial and early union periods.

Doctors used it for appetite enticement and pain reprieve, while citizens used it as a mere recreational substance (Doweiko 122). First State to Legalize Marijuana ConsumptionThe Californian State became the first state to legalize its consumption. California passed Proposition 215 in 1996 that legalised the medicinal use of marijuana. Since then, six other states and Columbian District have passed identical measures, notwithstanding the Supreme Court judgement against such legislation (Doweiko 122).

Legislation of Legal and Medical MarijuanaThe years between World War I and II saw the US Federal Government carry out a number of surveys that resolved that production and use of marijuana were injurious towards the American morality and culture (Williamson 30). Consequently, the government established the famous Marijuana Tax Act in 1937, intended to interrupt the marijuana business via high taxation, and ultimately end its production and consumption in the US. Although the AMA (American Medical Association) opposed this anti-marijuana legislation, the US government continued the endeavour, establishing compulsory fines and jail sentences for the possession and distribution of marijuana in early 1950s (Doweiko 122).

The 1970’s Controlled Substances Act, marijuana was categorized as a Schedule One Substance, putting it in the ranks of cocaine and other related drugs. The later 1970s saw the development of a movement to push for a less-strict governmental policy against its use. This resulted into some notable changes in the federal guidelines, especially the decriminalisation of its consumption in states that opted to do so (Scheb & Scheb 231). States with Pending Legislation to Legalize Medical Marijuana Undeniably, marijuana has profound medical benefits, as highlighted above.

This has seen many states pushing for its legalization for medicinal purposes only. Such states include Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Iowa, North Carolina, Oklahoma, New Hampshire, New York, and Maryland (Doweiko 122).Studies and Effects of Legalizing Marijuana The population of novel marijuana users may have considerable effects upon the future substance abuse treatment demand. Scholars attribute this to the fact that some novel consumers continue into its heavier consumption and other prohibited drugs.

On ascesion to presidency in 1980, Ronald Reagan started a spirited anti-drug campaign that expunged all the late 1970s reforms. Reagan and George Bush, Sr, his successor held tough anti-marijuana stands, and established callous fines for any connection with marijuana. The last two decades have seen minimal changes in the federal guidelines toward marijuana, although a heated debate has prevailed over the medicinal value of marijuana (Scheb & Scheb 231). Works CitedDoweiko, Harold E. Concepts of Chemical Dependency.

Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning, 2012. Print.Hall, Wayne and Nadia Solowij. Adverse Effects of Cannabis. The Lacent. 352, 1611-1616.Scheb, John M, and John M. Scheb. Criminal Law. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2009. Print.Williamson, Alicia. The Everything® Marijuana Book: Your Complete Cannabis Resource, Including History, Growing Instructions, and Preparation. Avon, MA: Adams Media, 2010. Internet resource.