PH 528 Policy Analysis Section 1

Should recreational marijuana use be legal in the state of Mississippi?

Background

The use of marijuana has emerged as a critical policy concern in the United States, releasing measures that have legalized medical use as well as recreational use. Although Mississippi passed medical marijuana in 2020, the state now debates about the recreational use of marijuana. This issue is relevant owing to its implications for the health and safety of individuals, the implementation of the law, and the well-being of the state’s economy. However, as the opinion of the people of Mississippi evolves, the people need to understand the consequences of the use of marijuana for recreational purposes: PH 528 Policy Analysis Section 1.

Marijuana is a drug obtained from the cannabis plant, which contains psychoactive compounds, with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) being the most prominent. The impact of marijuana is subjective, given the fact that it depends on the user, the amount consumed, and how the marijuana is taken.

Depending on its dosage and frequency of use, short-term effects of cannabis may involve a feeling of happiness, a distortion of the perception of time, and a change in appetite, while long-term effects may comprise cognitive dysfunctions, especially in learning and memory, addiction, and psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression (Turner & Agrawal, 2020). However, many benefits are associated with marijuana. For instance, the medical use of marijuana helps treat pain, epilepsy, glaucoma, and nausea from chemotherapy, among others.

The distinction between medical and recreational marijuana lies primarily in its purpose and regulation. Medical marijuana is used in managing certain health conditions, and its prescription is justified by healthcare providers who recommend it; its use is, however, strictly regulated to allow it only for patients with the appropriate prescription and the ability to access it through licensed outlets. Unlike medical marijuana, which is used in the treatment of diseases, recreational marijuana use involves consuming marijuana for fun or other reasons other than therapeutic purposes.

Though both medical and recreational marijuana have the same contents, the latter is governed differently; states place age restrictions and taxes on the sale of marijuana for recreational use. Recreational use of marijuana legalizes the use of the substance for individuals who are of a certain age, usually twenty-one years.

Marijuana use in Mississippi is consistent with national trends. Approximately 12% of Mississippians report using marijuana in the past month, slightly lower than the national average of 17%. Younger adults, particularly those aged 18 to 34, have the highest usage rates.

The legalization of marijuana in Mississippi has received the support of the citizens, as a recent survey revealed that 60% of the population is in support of legal marijuana. To some extent, this correlates to a change in attitude toward marijuana throughout the United States, where most people are now in support of the legalization of the substance (Steigerwald et al., 2019).

Mississippi initiated the process of marijuana legalization in 2020 with the approval of marijuana for medical use. This succeeded through the process of a vote; however, its application was stalled due to conflicting legal concerns. Regarding recreational marijuana use, it remains unlawful in Mississippi, although 23 states, including neighboring states like Arkansas and Louisiana, allow medical marijuana use (Hasin & Walsh, 2021). Across the country, the regulation of marijuana for recreational use has grown even further, and California and Colorado specifically serve as templates for how regulation and taxation can be done.

The economic benefits of legalizing recreational marijuana are significant. States that have legalized marijuana, such as Colorado, have seen increased tax revenues, which are often reinvested in education, healthcare, and public safety programs. Additionally, legalization can reduce law enforcement costs related to marijuana-related arrests and prosecutions.

However, concerns persist regarding the potential increase in marijuana use, especially among adolescents, and the possible long-term effects on mental health. As Mississippi considers whether to legalize recreational marijuana, it must weigh these various factors carefully.

References

Hasin, D., & Walsh, C. (2021). Trends over time in adult cannabis use: A review of recent findings. Current Opinion in Psychology, 38(67), 80–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.03.005

Steigerwald, S., Cohen, B. E., Vali, M., Hasin, D., Cerda, M., & Keyhani, S. (2019). Differences in opinions about marijuana use and prevalence of use by state legalization status. Journal of Addiction Medicine, 14(4), 1. https://doi.org/10.1097/adm.0000000000000593

Turner, A. R., & Agrawal, S. (2020). Marijuana. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430801/

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Policy Analysis

Section 1- Problem Identification & Background (50 points)

PH 528

Introduction: State Senator Hob Bryan (Mississippi District 7) is the chairman of the Mississippi State Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee. Now that the state legislature has passed a bill legalizing medical marijuana use in the state, members of the committee are debating whether to draft legislation to legalize recreational use of marijuana in Mississippi. Senator Bryan has asked you to write a policy analysis on this issue.

A policy analysis contains five sections: problem identification, background, landscape, options, and recommendation. For this first assignment, you will complete the problem identification and background.

1. Problem Identification (1 sentence)
   1. For this assignment, everyone will have the same problem identification
      1. Should recreational marijuana use be legal in the state of Mississippi?

2. Background (~1 page)
   1. Informs the reader why this particular problem has been chosen for analysis
   2. Provides relevant background information without presenting pros and cons of either side of the issue
   3. Recommendations for information to include:
      1. Definitions and effects of marijuana and marijuana use
      2. Meaning of medical vs. recreational marijuana use

• Prevalence of marijuana use in Mississippi and the U.S.

1. The history and current state of marijuana legalization (medical and recreational) in Mississippi and other states in the U.S.
2. Other information you deem relevant
   

   PH 528 Policy Analysis Section 1

Format:

• No title, heading, or title page needed- just begin with your problem question
• Bolded section titles
• Use in-text citations and include a reference page in APA citation style
• Double-spaced, one-inch margins, 12 pt. Times New Roman font

Other Notes:

• Read and use Ch. 14 in your textbook, which outlines how to write a policy analysis
• All information should include an in-text citation and a mention on your reference page in APA. Attached in Blackboard are APA guidelines and a sample of an APA cited draft
  • Can reference scholarly articles, news articles, and reputable government, health, or non-profit agencies
• Avoid direct quotations from references- paraphrase and cite
  • All sections of your policy analysis will be run through SafeAssign to check for plagiarism- a SafeAssign score of more than 20% will receive an automatic zero

Due Date: Submit through Blackboard as a .doc or .docx file by 11:59 PM on Sunday 2/2.