: English Composition II

ASSIGNMENT: Following the Topic Selection Guidelines below, choose an argumentative topic to research. This will be your topic throughout the entire course, so the activities required for this assignment will provide the foundation for your future Touchstones. The topic for an argumentative research paper must be a debatable topic, meaning that it involves conflicting viewpoints. Additionally, it cannot be a topic that is already decided or agreed upon by most of society. You will need to take a firm position on the topic and use evidence and logic to support the position. Touchstone 1.2 includes a research question, a working thesis, a detailed outline, and a reflection on this pre-writing process.

A. Topic Selection Guidelines
DIRECTIONS: You may choose any topic you wish as long as the topic has two clear sides and is not agreed upon by most of society. Your topic should be current, appropriate for an academic context and should have a focus suitable for a 6-8 page essay.

In order to foster learning and growth, all essays you submit must be newly written specifically for this course. Any recycled work will be sent back with a 0, and you will be given one attempt to redo the Touchstone.

B. Research Guidelines
DIRECTIONS: Refer to the list below throughout the writing process. Do not submit your Touchstone until it meets these guidelines.

1. Research Question and Working Thesis
Keep in mind: The research question and working thesis are the driving force behind your research and eventual argument.

❒ Your research question should be a single sentence, framed as a question.
❒ Your working thesis should be a single focused sentence, framed as a statement that takes a clear position on the research question.
❒ Include your research question followed by your working thesis.
2. Detailed Outline
Keep in mind: Your detailed outline provides a map of the argumentative research essay that you will write, including your key claims and the sources that support them. You may not have all your sources yet, and that is fine. The outline is a way to organize your essay and determine which areas (e.g. your sub-points) will require researched evidence as support.

❒ Headings: one for each paragraph with a brief label of the paragraph’s controlling idea(s).
❒ An introduction, at least five body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
❒ Introduction includes your working thesis.
❒ Body paragraphs should each have their own unique title and key points.
❒ Conclusion includes notes on your final thoughts.
❒ Subheadings: two to five for each paragraph, below each heading, indicating key points that support the controlling idea
❒ Sources: one to three for each paragraph, as relevant, indicating the support for the key points
❒ For each source, include the author’s name and the idea or information relevant to your argument (e.g. “Lappé on mono-cropping corn/soy and production”).
3. Reflection
❒ Have you displayed a clear understanding of the research activities?
❒ Have you answered all reflection questions thoughtfully and included insights, observations, and/or examples in all responses?
❒ Are your answers included on a separate page below the main assignment?
C. Reflection Questions
DIRECTIONS: Below your assignment, include answers to all of the following reflection questions.

Learning to conduct research is important because it is a skill you will use both in academia and in your professional life. It improves critical thinking and empowers you to find information for yourself. Consider the process of researching as a whole. What was the most challenging aspect of the process for you? (2-3 sentences)
The working thesis statement is a proposed answer to your research question. It should clearly identify a debatable topic and take a position on one side of that topic. Analyze the effectiveness of your working thesis statement. (3-4 sentences)
A detailed outline is an effective tool for laying out the progression of an argument. It allows you to consider the arrangement and organization of your ideas, as well as choose places to incorporate outside source materials. Review your detailed outline and summarize the argument you’ve presented. (3-4 sentences)
You will use the same topic on three of the remaining Touchstones in this course. What kind of feedback would be helpful for you? What are specific questions you might have as you go deeper into the research process? (2-3 sentences)
D. Rubric
Advanced (90-100%) Proficient (80-89%) Acceptable (70-79%) Needs Improvement (50-69%) Non-Performance (0-49%)
Research Question
Pose a meaningful research question on a debatable topic.
Constructs a precise and focused research question relative to a current and debatable topic. Constructs a focused research question relative to a debatable topic. Constructs a research question relative to a debatable topic; however it is somewhat too broad or too narrow for the assignment. Constructs a research question; however, the question is too broad or too narrow for the assignment and/or it is not debatable. Does not construct a research question, or constructs a research question that does not meet any of the rubric criteria.
Working Thesis
Propose a focused working thesis.
Includes a working thesis that takes a well-articulated, clear, specific position on one side of an issue. Includes a working thesis that takes a clear, specific position on one side of an issue. Includes a working thesis that takes a clear position on one side of an issue; however it lacks specificity. Includes a working thesis; however, it lacks specificity and does not take a clear position. Does not include a working thesis, or includes a thesis that does not take a position.
Detailed Outline
Present a detailed outline that includes coherent headings, subheadings, and source placement notes.
Outline is thoroughly developed and clearly labeled with effective notes, such that the reader can easily see how the essay will build its argument; all necessary elements of the outline are present. Outline is well-developed and labeled with sufficient notes, such that the reader can get a sense of how the essay will build its argument; all necessary elements of the outline are present. Outline is primarily well-developed and labeled with sufficient notes, such that the reader can get an overall sense of how the essay will build its argument; however, a few necessary elements may be unclear or missing. Outline is not fully developed and/or labeling and notes are often unclear, such that the reader cannot easily get a sense of how the essay will build its argument; several necessary elements of the outline are unclear or missing. Outline is not developed and/or labeling and notes are unclear or absent, such that the reader is unable to see how the essay will build its argument; most necessary elements of the outline are unclear or missing.
Style
Establish a consistent, informative tone and make thoughtful stylistic choices.
Demonstrates thoughtful and effective word choices, avoids redundancy and imprecise language, and uses a wide variety of sentence structures. Demonstrates effective word choices, primarily avoids redundancy and imprecise language, and uses a variety of sentence structures. Demonstrates generally effective style choices, but may include occasional redundancies, imprecise language, poor word choice, and/or repetitive sentence structures. Frequently includes poor word choices, redundancies, imprecise language, and/or repetitive sentence structures. Consistently demonstrates poor word choices, redundancies, imprecise language, and/or repetitive sentence structures.
Conventions
Follow conventions for standard written English.
There are only a few, if any, negligible errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization, and usage. There are occasional minor errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization, and usage. There are some significant errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization, and usage. There are frequent significant errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization, and usage. There are consistent significant errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization, and usage.
Reflection
Answer reflection questions thoroughly and thoughtfully.
Demonstrates thoughtful reflection; consistently includes insights, observations, and/or examples in all responses, following or exceeding response length guidelines. Demonstrates thoughtful reflection; includes multiple insights, observations, and/or examples, following response length guidelines. Primarily demonstrates thoughtful reflection, but some responses are lacking in detail or insight; primarily follows response length guidelines. Shows limited reflection; the majority of responses are lacking in detail or insight, with some questions left unanswered or falling short of response length guidelines. No reflection responses are present.
E. Requirements
The following requirements must be met for your submission to be graded:

Double-space the outline and use one-inch margins.
Use a readable 12-point font.
All writing must be appropriate for an academic context.
Composition must be original and written for this assignment.
Plagiarism of any kind is strictly prohibited.
Submission must include your name, the name of the course, the date, and the title of your composition.
Submission must include your research question, working thesis, outline, and reflection questions.
Include all of the assignment components in a single file.
Acceptable file formats include .doc and .docx.
F. Additional Resources
The following resources will be helpful to you as you work on this assignment:

Purdue Online Writing Lab’s APA Formatting and Style Guide
This site includes a comprehensive overview of APA style, as well as individual pages with guidelines for specific citation types.
Frequently Asked Questions About APA Style
This page on the official APA website addresses common questions related to APA formatting. The “References,” “Punctuation,” and “Grammar and Writing Style” sections will be the most useful to your work in this course.
APA Style: Quick Answers—References
This page on the official APA Style website provides numerous examples of reference list formatting for various source types.

ANSWER

Legalization of marijuana: Marijuana and its effects

Introduction

Cannabis Sativa also called Marijuana can be described as a green blossoming plant which is grown in different parts of the world. Marijuana is grown for various purposes including medical or health reasons. Cannabis Sativa is known for having tranquillizing as well as relieving effects. It also brings about psychoactive feeling to the users, for example, by inducing consciousness, causing changes in moods and triggering calmness and relaxed feelings (Geiger-Oneto & Simkins, 2018). For a long time, drugs made of Marijuana have been referred to as recreational drugs due to the increased number of users who need to psychoactive effects that can be experienced following the consumption of the drug.

Legalization of marijuana has remained a subject of debate in the United States and other countries across the globe. The concerns and debates on the plant and related drugs prompted researches that have revealed contradicting findings.  Some researches have shown that individuals can derive different health benefits by consuming the drugs while other researches show that Marijuana has negative long term effects especially on smokers (Vitiello, 2009). As a result, individuals, governments, healthcare practitioners, economists and other stakeholders still hold different views about it. Whether marijuana is argued or viewed from an economic, political, social and health perspectives, the ultimate actions to be taken could be legalizing or prohibiting the use of cannabis Sativa (whether governments should dictate the use of Marijuana) or to allow individuals to be responsible for their actions. Should Marijuana be legalized or not? Indeed, this is a critical question that must be addressed most effectively. Many individuals believe that marijuana is a dangerous plant or drug and not beneficial but the opposite can be very true.

Research question

Should Marijuana be legalized?

Thesis

Many individuals believe that marijuana is a dangerous plant or drug and not beneficial but the opposite is true.

Arguments and position on Marijuana

Without a doubt, Marijuana is one of the most misjudged and drug in the world. In some countries in the United States, has been categorized as type A drug, a drug that is regarded as being among those that can be easily abused with no exceptional health benefit and hence prohibited. Many governments of the US illegalized marijuana in 1937 (Marijuana Tax Act of 1937). The use and sale of marijuana were banned in the US following the execution of the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 (Holifield, 2013). Many years later, Cannabis Sativa began becoming a matter of concern that spur continuous discussions and arguments among both non-users and users. Marijuana has often been associated with drug addiction, criminal offences as well as the downfall of youths and elderly. Hence, turned to be having an unattractive reputation. Besides, Marijuana has been subjected to bias opinion for a long time. With the many negative things and bias opinions against Marijuana, there is no doubt that not many people can think of legalizing it. Indeed, the drug can be abused just like any other drug. But then considering Marijuana as an extremely dangerous drug and associating it with many negative issues like violent crimes and mass incarceration is wrong.

Arguments for the legalization of Marijuana

Health and industrial benefits

Health and medical-related benefits

In a way, it may seem silly to have a biased or negative opinion on something that has been used by human beings for medicinal reasons for a long time, a time when it was a prohibited drug to individuals who were likely to abuse it. Despite being considerably abused compared to other drugs, it is worth noting that other legal and readily available drugs like Ketamine or oxycodone are extremely abused recreationally. Such pharmaceuticals (Ketamine or oxycodone) are also very addictive and can lead to various long-term and short term side effects on a user. Furthermore, there are chances of fatality for users of such drugs. These arguments invalidate biased opinions when it comes to abusing drugs. As suggested before, Marijuana has been widely used for health and medical purposes.

The drug is helpful to patients having multiple sclerosis as well as glaucoma cancer. Some researchers have shown that the drug can be used by patients going through chemotherapy since it has the ability to reduce nausea as well as vomiting feelings (Vitiello, 2009).  Cannabis sativa has many chemical compounds. Many of these components are cannabinoids which are associated with relieving chronic paid. The chemical makeup of a Marijuana plant is useful in medicine. Marijuana has been described as a drug that is capable of improving the capacity of the lungs. Some of the researches that have been carried out reveal that cannabis increases that lung capacity rather than harming it (Vitiello, 2009).  Additionally, Marijuana can regulate and inhibit diabetes. Cannabis lowers blood pressure, stabilizes blood sugar level and enhances blood circulation. Marijuana is also helpful in treating depression. The endocannabinoid compounds in the plant stabilize the moods of a user and this reduces depression.

Cannabidiol, one of the components of marijuana quickens healing of the bones and strengthens bones throughout the healing process making the bones tougher and not easy to break. Marijuana is known for eliminating anxiety. If the drug is monitored and taken properly, it brings about calmness and reduces anxiety. Cannabis Sativa reduces or eliminates the side effects associated with hepatitis C and promotes the efficacy of treatment. To be specific, it is useful in reducing fatigue, nausea, muscle aches and depression (symptoms linked to hepatitis C). People having ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease can be relieved by using cannabis Sativa. Cannabidiol boosts the immune system. It helps block bacteria and other inflammations that cause in human intestines. Individuals with Parkinson’s disease can use the drug to promote sleep and reduce pain and tremors.  These health benefits prove that Marijuana many health benefits that cannot be ignored.

Industrial benefit: Hemp

Marijuana has industrial benefits which are reflected in the textile industry. Hemp is a name that represents marijuana or the cannabis plant which is grown specifically for fibre. Hemp is an important ingredient when it comes to the production of textile-based products (Ranalli & Venturi, 2004). The plant has a strong aspect that makes it the best material for the production of different products, for example, ropes, papers and fabrics (Ranalli & Venturi, 2004). Hemp is capable of producing and a substantial amount of cellulose product which can be converted to cellulosic ethanol, a type of biofuel which can control anything that is powered or run by gasoline. As opposed to cotton, hemp has an advantage since it can be harvested more frequently and the quantity found in each corn stalk is about three times more than that of corn (Ranalli & Venturi, 2004). For this reason, legalization of cannabis Sativa can be a big boost to an economy. The plant can generate a significant amount of revenue for a country and contribute to the increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

A country like the United States has no option but to import hemp product from countries like China and Canada who have allowed the production of the product. The money used to import marijuana could be used to not only to support other sectors in the economy but also increase employment opportunities for US nationals and support local production. Canada has many successful stories on the use of medical Marijuana that have contributed to the legalization of the product. The Canadian Medical Association Journal reports consist of different pieces of evidence of successful use of the product. A good example is Charles Jean’s story, an AIDs patient who decided not to stick to his lawfully prescribed medications. Perhaps, he would be dead if he would have decided to follow legally prescribed medications. Charles used Marijuana to boost his immune system. With Marijuana, he was able to regain weight and walk again. Many Chinese have used Marijuana for a long time. The plant was used to relieve open wounds as well as menstrual disorders. The plant’s seeds were used to prevent post-partum difficulties.

Tax revenues and savings

Apart from the health benefits, legalization of Marijuana has other benefits like increase in savings and tax revenues. In countries like Canada and China, high revenues are recorded due to the sale of Marijuana. Similarly, countries like the US can generate high revenue in the form of taxes. The income generated can be used to finance difference assistance initiatives that are meant to support the users and patients in hospitals instead of increasing the rate of imprisonment that lead to “mass incarceration problem.” Additionally, legalization of Cannabis can create significant saving for a government. Many governments use a lot of resources to support direct law enforcement related to marijuana. Legalizing Marijuana will allow the government to save the capital that could use for such purpose. Instead of being used to support the prohibition of marijuana, the capital can be set aside for investment and other productive initiatives.

Addictive Nature and Limited Effects of marijuana

Social media channels and other communication channels have made cannabis Sativa to be regarded as a more addictive and dangerous drug than others, making it’s a victim of prejudice. Nicotine and heroin are the most addictive drugs unlike what many people think. It is important to note that caffeine and alcohol can even be more addictive than marijuana. Individuals believe that marijuana is a gateway drug to the usage of hard drugs like heroin and cocaine. Undeniably, this is a fallacious kind of thinking that lacks a strong basis and hence not dependable.  It is more sensible for a rational thinker to believe that a person can be fascinated to try taking cocaine or heroin, for example, one can go ahead to take heroin regardless of whether they began with marijuana or not.

Sometimes, health officials and governments fail to take into consideration the number of fatalities caused by consumption of alcohol each year as compared to other drugs. In the United States, Alcohol is the leading cause of death. The number of deaths due to alcohol consumption is approximately more than a combination of fatalities due to consumption of other drugs (Newport, 2011). Although it may not be easy to determine the number of death due to legalization of marijuana, it is important to note that legalization of Marijuana can bring about great changes in benefits as well as costs and such changes might lead to the betterment of individual’s lives and the different economies at large. In early 2000, tobacco and alcohol contributed to many deaths in the United States. There was no recorded that was attributed to Cannabis in 2000 (Newport, 2011). Nevertheless, this does not mean that the drug does not contribute to an increase in the number of deaths but shows how drugs that people think are better than marijuana lead to more deaths.

Arguments against the legalization of marijuana and conflicting opinions

The opponents of the legalization of Marijuana argue that the plant itself and the drugs derived from it are bad in many ways. Many opponents believe that munching it in cakes and smoking it is not good. The fact that smoking is not good for human health cannot be underestimated. Smoking is harmful to human lungs, the brain as well as the heart. Smokers put themselves at a high risk of developing or experiencing mental health problems. Opponents may also argue that Marijuana is highly addictive and many users are more likely to end up depending on it too much and find themselves being addicts. Stopping use of cannabis Sativa can be hard for many users and might lead to anxiety as well as irritability. According to the opponents legalization of marijuana will lead to an increase in the number of users and hence many people will be addicted to its. As suggested before, individuals who do not support the legalization of marijuana seem to be certain that marijuana leads to the use of hard drugs. They believe that cannabis introduces the user to more serious abuse of substances and addition. A research carried out in New Zealand revealed that users of Marijuana are more likely to try abusing other illicit drugs than those who have never used it.

Yes, it is true that smoking marijuana is not good when it comes to human health. But then, the negative health associated with marijuana is almost similar to the health effects linked to other legal substances that can be smoked. The effects negative effects of smoking other substances are worse and hence this argument cannot be used as a basis for justifying illegalization of cannabis Sativa. No strong and widely accepted evidence proves that legalization of marijuana will lead to an increasing number of users. However, this might be true. Limiting decisions on the legalization of marijuana on the findings of a few types of research might be an obstacle to the many benefits that can be derived from the legalization of the plant in many countries in the world.

Marijuana and crime

Furthermore, opponents of the legalization of cannabis believe that doing so will not stop drugs gangs. The use of marijuana has been known to increase levels of violence and crime. In some cases, it linked to psychosis. Psychosis increases the risk of individuals to cause violence. Using drugs such as marijuana in psychotic people further increases the risk of violence in these people as compared to healthy individuals. This is because the drug causes paranoia in psychotic people. Some studies, such as the Journal of Interpersonal Violence, have shown that cases of domestic violence have doubled with the use of marijuana (Berenson, 2019). In another study conducted among Chinese and British men, cases of violence increased by five times with the use of marijuana.

Drugs and alcohol have for many years been identified as major contributors to crime and violence in society. As much as there have been studies conducted to show that marijuana contributes to an increase in crime, it is evident that there are other drugs that are greater contributors when abused. Marijuana ranks way lower than some drugs in contributing to crime and violence. The most notorious contributor is alcohol. Drugs like crack, heroin, opium and opium syrup follow closely in their contribution to the increase of violence and crimes such as robbery, murder, armed robbery and kidnapping (Rafaiee, Olyaee, & Sargolzaiee, 2013). The rate of increase in crime contributed by marijuana is too low compared to these drugs.

Some studies have shown that when marijuana is legalized in a state, crime reduces. This is because illegal drugs are forced out of the market by this legalization. There is a reduction in violent crime and theft in countries where marijuana is legalized (Ervik, 2015). Smuggling of drugs is reduced, theft of automobiles used to smuggle is also reduced, both in the state that has legalized marijuana, and the neighbouring states that were initially affected by drug smuggling. The number of other drugs smuggled then reduces, resulting in a significant decrease in crimes associated with the abuse of other drugs.

Conclusion

Today, Cannabis Sativa remains illegal in many states and countries across the world. A concerned individual can begin asking himself or herself many questions about Marijuana including why some governments have failed to legalize cannabis Sativa even after being informed about the direct health effects and other benefits of the product. This research has presented both health and non-health benefits of marijuana.  Cannabis has been viewed as a very dangerous substance by people who have failed to recognize the many positive effects brought about by the drug. While it is important to acknowledge the negative effects of something, it is also necessary to carry out cost-benefit analysis, compare and contrast the effects of various substances and determine the actions to take. If marijuana is legalized and its consumption controlled like other drugs it can be beneficial to the individuals, the society and the economy at large.

References

Berenson A. (2019). Marijuana Is More Dangerous Than You Think. Missouri medicine, 116(2),             88–89.

Ervik, T. S. (2015). Legalization of medical marijuana reduces crime. Norwegian School of         Economics (NHH). Retrieved from: https://partner.sciencenorway.no/cannabis-             forskningno-legal-system/legalization-of-medical-marijuana-reduces-crime/1415616 Accessed on September 28, 2020

Geiger-Oneto, S., & Simkins, T. (2018). A social identity perspective on the legalization of marijuana in the United States: The relative importance of status insecurity and group          membership. Journal of Macromarketing, 38(2), 206-217.

Hall, W. (2015). What has research over the past two decades revealed about the adverse health   effects of recreational cannabis use?. Addiction, 110(1), 19-35.

Holifield, M. C. (2013). Blowing smoke: Harry J. Anslinger and the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937. Arkansas State University.

Holifield, M. C. (2013). Blowing smoke: Harry J. Anslinger and the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937. Arkansas State University.

Newport, F. (2011). Record-high 50% of Americans favour legalizing marijuana use. Gallup       Politics.

Rafaiee, R., Olyaee, S., & Sargolzaiee, A. (2013). The relationship between the type of crime and drugs in addicted prisoners in zahedan central prison. International journal of high risk behaviours & addiction, 2(3), 139–140. https://doi.org/10.5812/ijhrba.13977

Ranalli, P., & Venturi, G. (2004). Hemp as a raw material for industrial      applications. Euphytica, 140(1-2), 1-6.

Vitiello, M. (2009). Legalizing Marijuana: California’s Pot of Gold. Wis. L. REv., 1349.