Introduction
Few public debates draw as much attention as the controversy over marijuana legalization. As most US states have already made this substance legal, it is important to understand how to manage the inevitable negative side effects of cannabis use. Legalization means the lifting of prohibitions, thus rendering the classic prevention strategy based on illegality meaningless. However, there are no established official guidelines on properly mitigating the consequences of legalization. This problem covers all areas, including financial regulation, clinical assessment, and intervention strategies. An analysis of current scientific knowledge on effective measures in each sphere is essential in understanding the most appropriate ways of controlling marijuana use. The purpose of this paper is to review the existing literature and find recommendations for preventing cannabis abuse in the current legal environment.
The protective behavioral strategies for marijuana scale: Further examination using item response theory (Peterson et al., 2017)
This study aims to ascertain an appropriate measure for assessing behaviors of young people using marijuana who are particularly vulnerable to the negative influence of psychoactive drugs, with a special emphasis put on cannabis. Using the item response theory, the researchers sought to create a measurement system that would inform clinicians of notable behavioral changes associated with the use of the legalized substance. Implementing exploratory factor analysis and short form processing techniques, the authors of the study have created two scales with item bank format that can be used to assess behaviors of marijuana users. Implementation of these scales will help clinicians spot significant deviations and implement appropriate intervention measures.
Marijuana taxation: Theory and practice (Leff, 2021)
This paper addresses the emerging problem of legal regulation of marijuana market. A carefully crafted tax policy is essential for controlling the supply and demand for psychoactive drugs, which is especially relevant given the prevalence of illegal cannabis trade. Using tax theory, the author analyzes legal solutions to regulatory and revenue-raising taxation used in other spheres. The researcher admits that the analysis does not espouse a specific tax policy due to the complexity of the issue. However, the author does point out the importance of limiting the impact of the illegal market via creating regulatory conditions that would make legal cannabis trade cheaper.
Using deviance regulation theory to target marijuana use intentions among college students (Dvorak et al., 2018)
This study focuses on the problem of curbing the negative consequences of marijuana use, primarily those relating to mental health. The aim of the study is to ascertain specific interventions that would allow reducing cannabis use within the framework of the environment where marijuana is legal. The author uses relies on the deviation regulation theory to outline effective ways of curbing the drug use intentions. The results of the study point to three factors essential for successful interventions. First, it is important to address pre-existing beliefs of marijuana users about the drugs. Second, a reference group is essential in ensuring individual behavioral changes. Third, framing the behavior of the majority of cannabis users as negative is also effective.
Conclusion
Combined together, the papers provide insight into managing a population of marijuana users from legal, psychological and diagnostic perspectives. All researchers agree that psychoactive drugs are dangerous, yet the process of legalization means that drug abuse is a possible future prospect. Therefore, marijuana should be consumed with caution, which can be facilitated by regulation in the legal, psychological, and clinical spheres. Tax policy corrections would incentivize cannabis users to remain in the legal market, clinical assessment would highlight drug-related changes in behavior, while psychological interventions would help reduce marijuana use intentions.
References
Dvorak, R. D., Raeder, C. A., Kramer, M. P., Sargent, E., Stevenson, B. L., & Helmy, M. (2018). Using deviance regulation theory to target marijuana use intentions among college students.Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 26(1), 1-26. Web.
Leff, B. M. (2021). Marijuana taxation: Theory and practice. Boston University Law Review, 101(915), 915-932.
Pedersen, E. R., Huang, W., Dvorak, R. D., Prince, M. A., & Hummer, J. F. (2017). The protective behavioral strategies for marijuana scale: Further examination using item response theory. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 31(5), 1-24.