Grace

à Social norms and the general standards of society greatly influence the decisions made by the various political groups on the topic of narcotics and their legalisation, particularly in the controversial matter of narcotics for medical purposes. · It has been claimed that narcotics such as marijuana are meant to have medical properties, and that the idea that they should be banned as dangerous in society is unjustified and exaggerated by media. · In fact, there is the argument that the legalisation of drugs would actually benefit society, as many of the people leading conventional lives are not addicted, and certainly not medically harmed by narcotics, and that drugs come along-side tobacco and alcohol as a normal part of society. The legalisation would provide higher funds for the education of the dangers of excessive drug use. · However, there is the counter argument that states that the disadvantages and dangers of these drugs outweigh the medical benefits. These drugs are said to result in dangers such as increased chance of heart attack, and the utility of medical drugs like Marinol® have been questioned. · The idea of narcotics as possessing medical properties is in fact only a farce for the legalisation of narcotics by companies as opposed to being a scientifically proven fact. · In politics, there is the contrast between a relaxation, or even for some extremists, a complete decriminalisation, and the opposition to certain forms of legalisation as a state policy or a complete opposition to legalisation. · But within the political conflicts, there remains the idea that the medical narcotics industry is used by the government for taxation benefits and thus has a very negative impact on society. · There is also a debate for and against narcotics legalisation that it increases (or decreases for the for legalisation argument) crime. There is the argument that drug legalisation would actually reduce crime. These arguments. however, does not look at the outside factors that could possibly affect crime rates. · “There is little or no medical evidence of long term ill effects from sustained, moderate consumption of uncontaminated marijuana, cocaine or heroin.” · “Media focus on the "junkie" has generated a mistaken impression that all uses of illegal drugs are devastated by their habit.” · “We should look at the fact that a relatively low budget public education campaign has resulted in a significant decline in US consumption of both alcohol and tobacco during a period when a costly and intensive campaign to curtail illegal drugs only resulted in their increased usage. Is there a lesson to be heeded? Of course there is. Scrap the nonsense of trying to obliterate drugs and acknowledge their presence in our society as we have with alcohol and tobacco.” · “THC can promote tumor growth. The July 2000 issue of The Journal of Immunology found that THC could promote tumor growth by impairing the body's anti-tumor immunity system.” · “THC suppresses the immune system. A 2000 study in the Journal of Immunology found that marijuana's THC suppresses immunity against legionella pneumophila (bacteria that causes legionnaire's disease)… Cannabis use associated with psychotic illness.” · Ivan B. Lang, a colonel with the Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory, stated: Between 1993 and 1997 there had been an almost 10 percent increase in the number of cannabis-dependent patients suffering from a drug-induced psychotic illness… The available evidence tends to explode the myth that cannabis is a harmless drug.” · “Those pushing marijuana as "medicine" continue to expose their real objective: outright drug legalization. Decades ago, Keith Stroup, the executive director for the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) labeled "medical" marijuana the "red herring" for outright drug legalization .” · “ Cultural conservatives are adamantly opposed to the legalization of the currently illegal drugs. ”  ·  “In Our Right to Drugs, Thomas Szasz argues that government taxation is "legalized robbery" …a system of government-controlled medical licensing, he says, results in a "loss of personal freedom,” support for government funding for medical research is a product of "crowd madness,” any effort to control drugs is "chemical socialism (or communism)"” · The need to obtain money to feed a habit, the rage empowered by drugs, the protection or disruption of the drug marketplace—each has its role in the crime cycles surrounding drug use. There is an indisputable correlation between drug use and crime, and it is obvious that the combination of increased availability of drugs and a decrease in the stigma for drug use will result in an increase in crime.” · “Legalizing drugs would not be cost free… But things would not remain the same. Vast sums would be freed for prevention and treatment of drug abuse and for reducing its root causes. Among the many other benefits of legalization would be the reduction of AIDS and other diseases transmitted by drug abusers, less risk of drug overdose or poisoning, better prenatal care for pregnant women with drug problems and restoration of our civil liberties, to name a few.” · Maginnis, Robert L. "The Medical Value of Marijuana Has Been Overstated." //At Issue: Marijuana//. Ed. Mary E. Williams. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2003. //Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center//. Gale. Dulwich College Shanghai. 31 Jan. 2010 . · Roe, Benson B. "The Legalization of Drugs Would Benefit Society." //Opposing Viewpoints: The War on Drugs//. Ed. Stephen P. Thompson. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1998. //Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center//. Gale. Dulwich College Shanghai. 31 Jan. 2010 . 9 ·  Goode, Erich. "Strange Bedfellows: Ideology, Politics, And Drug Legalization." //Student Research Center//. May/June 98 ed. Vol. 4. UNITED States, 1998. 35 vols. 531357. //MAS Ultra - School Edition//. 01472011 ed. Web. 31 Jan. 2010. . · Alsobrooks, Dan P. "Drug Abuse Causes Crime." //Opposing Viewpoints: American Values//. Ed. James D. Torr. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2004. //Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center//. Gale. Dulwich College Shanghai. 31 Jan. 2010 . · Duke, Steven B. "Legalizing Drugs Would Reduce Crime." //Current Controversies: Illegal Drugs//. Ed. Charles P. Cozic. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1998. //Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center//. Gale. Dulwich College Shanghai. 31 Jan. 2010 .
 * Topic: ** Narcotics legalisation for medical purposes
 * Knowledge Issue: ** To what extent do social norms influence political decisions about narcotics?
 * Perspectives: **
 * Supporting Quotes: **
 * Bibliography: **