Legalization of the Use of Marijuana for Recreational Purposes
Background Information:
The 420 Interest Group was established in 2000 with its mission to see the use of marijuana legalized in all 50 states. This group provides data and examples of personal experiences to encourage Texas state legislators to understand the benefits of legalization.
Representative Smith from the 16th District of Texas is a strong proponent of legalizing the use of recreational marijuana. However, due to his responsibilities for the district and his limited knowledge of the effects of the use of recreational marijuana, he has requested that the 420 Interest Group write a bill for him to submit to the Texas House of Representatives. He plans to submit the bill and already has the commitment of 10 other members of the legislature to co-sponsor it.
The group has been known to support Representative Smith in his past campaigns. Additionally, members of the group have individually donated to the elected official’s campaign.
Below are some resources concerning public opinion on the status of marijuana in addition to demographic data on the districts these lawmakers represent.
POLLS FOR LEGALIZING MARIJUANA:
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/04/16/americans-overwhelmingly-say-marijuana-should-be-legal-for-recreational-or-medical-use/Links to an external site.
https://news.gallup.com/poll/323582/support-legal-marijuana-inches-new-high.aspxLinks to an external site.
Pros and Cons for Marijuana legalization (Use at least two articles below when looking at issues, consequences, problems, and solutions for outcomes in Part 1 and II).
https://www.britannica.com/story/pro-and-con-recreational-marijuanaLinks to an external site.
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/substance-abuse/Pages/legalizing-marijuana.aspxLinks to an external site.
https://www.colorado.edu/today/2022/11/04/decade-after-legalizing-cannabis-colorado-heres-what-weve-learnedLinks to an external site.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/what-has-changed-in-states-that-have-legalized-marijuana-and-what-hasntLinks to an external site.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6690273/#:~:text=There%20are%20higher%20rates%20of,significant%20increase%20in%20tax%20revenuesLinks to an external site..
https://www.une.edu/sites/default/files/SAMs_IssuesRE_MJ_Legalization.pdfLinks to an external site.
https://www.nber.org/digest/oct14/consequences-legalizing-marijuanaLinks to an external site.
https://www.cato.org/policy-analysis/effect-state-marijuana-legalizations-2021-updateLinks to an external site.
https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hpb20210701.500845/Links to an external site.
DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE DISTRICT (this is a pretend district disregard the names):
https://censusreporter.org/profiles/50000US1226-congressional-district-26-fl/Links to an external site.
Directions:
Base your responses on how you feel the following age groups will respond (you must use at least three different age groups):
The Silent Generation: Born 1928-1945
Baby Boomers: Born 1946-1964
Generation X: Born 1965-1980
Millennials: Born 1981-1996
Generation Z: Born 1997-2012
Part I, II, and III must be completed.
Each part must have a response of one to two paragraphs. You need to answer using the separate answer sheet provided. Download or copy the form and fill it out (be sure to keep the formatting). Do NOT put your name on the document (no headers). Use Times New Roman 12-point font. You should NOT have any direct quotes, but you must cite your sources (use any style you are comfortable with). Be sure to take out the descriptors for the answers, such as insert answer here, and explain, etc.
All work must be in the document provided and submitted by the due date. Be sure to answer the questions in the space provided. The minimum word count for this assignment is 600 words. Word count only includes your answers and not the questions or bibliography. ALL information should be in your own words. YOU should NOT have any direct quotes. This exercise is to assess your perspective on social and personal responsibility. Please do your own work.
DO NOT USE OUTSIDE SOURCES. ONLY USE THE SOURCES PROVIDED.
Save your document as ISLO2023.doc or ISLO2023.docx.
ASSIGNMENT
After reading about the issue, the elected official, sources for and against marijuana legalization and reviewing the demographics of the district, respond to the following:
PART I and II– Communication and Critical Thinking
Using the provided sources, answer the following questions (you must complete all of the outcomes). See the writing guidelines at the top. Avoid using direct quotes, but you must cite any information you paraphrase. You do need to use the sources to back up your answers.
1. (Outcome 1) The legalization of marijuana has been a controversial issue at the local, state, and federal levels. List at least two questions that might be asked if the Texas government tried to legalize marijuana at the state level. What are some of the problems that could arise with the legalization of marijuana?
2. (Outcome 3) Create your own state law regarding marijuana usage. You can choose to make it illegal, decriminalize it, legalize it for recreational use, legalize it for medicinal use only, legalize it for both medicinal and recreational use. Be sure to include age limits and any other limitations you deem necessary. This should be your own creation. There are no right or wrong answers here. Be sure to have a comprehensive law.
3. (Outcome 2) After creating your law, identify and explain the potential implications and consequences from at least three or more perspectives. You then need to come up with solutions to the problems and conclusions. Use the age groups provided and consider how they might view the issue of marijuana legalization.
List at least three different perspectives from the list of age groups.
Explain in detail your answers.
Part III – Personal Responsibility
What is the ethical issue with the relationship between the interest group and the lawmaker?
Recognize and explain the ethical issue from the provided scenario.
2. Identify at least three additional perspectives on the identified ethical issue (must have three). What could be the potential consequences of each of the three perspectives?
You must list three perspectives in detail.
Write out the details of each of the three potential consequences.
3.As you responded to questions 1 and 2, which of your values did you take into consideration in your responses, and how did you develop those values?
Explain in detail your three values
Explain in detail the origin of your values. What has influenced them? (i.e., family, religion, education, etc.)
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ANSWER SHEET
Links to an external site.
Answer Key ISLO_QEP _Fall 2023.docx Download Answer Key ISLO_QEP _Fall 2023.docx(Right-click to open, then save a copy to your computer.) You will use this document to submit your assignment.
