Introduction
Marijuana (or cannabis) remains a controlled substance in the United States of America. According to Harper, Strumpf, and Kaufman, possession and sale of marijuana is prohibited under the country’s federal laws (207). More specifically, the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 categorizes the drug as a Schedule 1 substance. Harper et al. point out that such a classification regards cannabis as a lethal drug (207). Its use has adverse effects on one’s body (Harper et al. 207). However, the federal government has allowed individual states to legalize the use of this substance. Such a leeway brings into question the direction taken by the legislations as they evolve over time.
At the time when the Controlled Substances Act was enacted, any form of affiliation to marijuana was regarded as criminal. However, Harper et al. suggest that laws have life and can evolve (208). The evolution of laws touching on cannabis has seen several states decriminalize the substance. The decriminalization has resulted in rescheduling of the drug in various state legislations. Further advancements has seen several states legalize the possession of cannabis altogether. Previously, different jurisdictions allowed the use of marijuana for medical purposes. However, recent referendums in Colorado and Washington DC have resulted in legislations allowing for its recreational use.
Hypothesis
The current research is based on a number of assumptions. For example, the author acknowledges that new laws on marijuana are inevitable. The arguments provided in this paper will revolve around this assumption. The researcher will seek to understand how laws in general evolve over time. The factors behind these changes will be highlighted. In addition, the study intends to uncover the impacts of the said laws and the accompanying changes. It is expected that the developments (changes in legislations) have both negative and positive consequences on the society. Positive impacts may include increased government revenues as a result of the introduction of taxes on the use of drugs. On their part, negative and unintended consequences may involve increased cases of addiction to the drugs.
Harper et al. indicate that increased abuse of the drug is a likely scenario (208). In line with this, the current research will examine how such changes may affect future societies. To achieve this objective, one thesis statement will be formulated to guide the study.
Thesis statement
If adequate regulatory frameworks are not put in place, the new laws on marijuana will have adverse effects on the society.
The arguments provided in the research undertaking will be used to support the hypothesis.
Studies that involve hypotheses require the adoption of tests to support or nullify the statement. To this end, a number of variables will be identified in the process of conducting the current study. The independent variable is changes in legislations touching on the use of marijuana. The dependent variables include the changes themselves and their implications on the society. The two sets of variables will be tested to analyze the veracity of the thesis statement.
The study by Harper et al. is an example of how a hypothesis can be tested using scientific methods (207). Consequently, the current research will make use of case studies to analyze how laws change and the effects of such developments. The case studies will be compared to assess the impacts of legislations on marijuana in the society.
Structure of the Study
The study will be divided into 6 chapters. The researcher will adopt an argumentative approach to the study. In light of this, it is noted that comparative analyses of case studies will go a long way in helping the author to achieve the objectives of the research.
The first chapter is the introduction of the study. In this section, fundamental aspects of the subject will be outlined. A background of the problem will be illustrated and some of the new laws outlined. Still in this section, the researcher will illustrate some of the impacts of the new laws in the community (Harper et al. 207). The introduction chapter will also include the thesis statement that will be used to evaluate the hypothesis.
The second chapter will involve a critical review of literature existing in this field. The review will outline the findings made in other studies on the subject. Gaps and discrepancies existing in the available information will be identified. Garvey and Yeh argue that the development of any law is informed by an analysis of a similar enactment in a different jurisdiction (14).
On the basis of argument, the literature review will illustrate how marijuana laws have been enacted in other states and countries around the world. Such a comparative analysis will be used to provide a framework for the future enactment of such legislations in the US. The gaps identified during the review of materials will be used to inform the direction of the current research undertaking.
The third chapter will illustrate the methods used to conduct the study. In essence, scientific methods of testing hypotheses will be used in the current study. Garvey and Yeh suggest the use of case studies in conducting comparative analyses (17). Consequently, the fourth chapter of the paper will outline two case studies. The differences and similarities between the two will be outlined.
The analysis will build into the discussion chapter, the fifth in the study. In this chapter, results from the comparative analysis will be reviewed. The findings are compared to those found in the literature review section. The study will be concluded in chapter six. Recommendations touching on future legislations in relation to cannabis will be provided.
Self Reflection
The research is developed against the backdrop of the inevitability of changes in existing marijuana laws. In light of this, the research will seek to respond to the question of how the new laws will affect the society. The study will be guided by the assumption that the new marijuana laws will have adverse effects on the society if adequate regulations are not factored in during their formulation.
Works Cited
Garvey, Todd, and Brian Yeh. State Legalization of Recreational Marijuana: Selected Legal Issues. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Research Service, 2014. Print.
Harper, Sam, Erin Strumpf, and Jay Kaufman. “Do Medical Marijuana Laws Increase Marijuana Use?: Replication Study and Extension.” Annals of Epidemiology 22.3 (2012): 207-212. Print.