The Debate on Medicinal Marijuana

Drugs compose as chemical substances that effect primary portion of the nervous system or brain by causing changes in behavior and often results with an addiction. However, certain particular drugs have medical uses as treatment for a disease. The following is a review and summary over the debate on particular drug known as "Marijuana," which comes from the cannabis plant.

The Drug Policy Alliance pursues constant reform upon the legal issues concerning the cannabis plant for the availability of its remedial utilizations on behalf of the critically unwell. “The Alliance is working hard state by state to educate lawmakers about marijuana and to make cannabis available for medicinal purposes for seriously ill people.” Moreover, a division of this association, known as the “Drug Policy Alliance Network” promotes the passing of a bill in each state for the legalization of the medical marijuana. However, the DPAN success rate dwindles when political problems arise. “This year the New Mexico legislature came close to passing a compassionate use bill that will almost surely become law next session - a large majority of voters supported it, but it did not come to a vote because of politics. The Drug Policy Alliance Network, the lobbying arm of the Alliance, is doing similar work in states ranging from Connecticut to Alabama.” These political issues have managed to retain their potency in the United States since the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, which had successfully restricted the therapeutic and leisure exploit of the cannabis plant even though that law had little control on actually stopping marijuana from becoming the most popular and used criminal chemical substance in the western hemisphere. “In 1937, with the passage of the Marihuana Tax Act, the United States effectively banned recreational and medicinal use of cannabis. Despite such restrictive control, cannabis has become the most widely used illicit drug in the western world.” Growing pressure has arisen about reforming the total prohibition of marijuana since the 1970’s due to all numerous documented reports about the drug’s nontoxic nature, which implies the removal over the illicit felonies in relation to the expenditure of the drug. “Since the 1970s pressure has been building to move away from the total prohibition of cannabis. Over the past century, numerous reports from independent, government-sponsored commissions have documented the drug's relative harmlessness and recommended the elimination of criminal sanctions for consumption-related offenses.”

Nevertheless, many critics such as Dr. Paul M. Worrell would argue that the drug marijuana must remain illegal, regardless of its use. According to Worrell, the attention of legal drugs that are more deadly and addictive does not leave a convincing case on legalizing marijuana. “To boast that marijuana is the "lesser of evils" in terms of public health consequences is not a convincing argument for legalizing its use.” Worrell provides an easy understanding that the cannabis plant requires more compelling evidence to support its legalization. Furthermore, Doctor Worrell brings notice of the complications of marijuana use as well as the dangers involved to argue more reason behind marijuana’s prohibition. “Because, like tobacco and alcohol, marijuana is not a benign drug. Marijuana use can lead to poor motivation syndrome and increased rates of schizophrenia and depression. Its use can lead to lung diseases such as asthma, emphysema and even lung cancer.” Nonetheless, Worrell address the moral impact of pot smoking and increasing sales and quantity of the drug available to the youth. “Legalizing another addictive substance will increase the supply available to adolescents. It also sends the message that pot smoking is condoned.” As of already, Worrell conveys that approximately about half of all high school students have been exposed to the cannabis plant. “Marijuana is already the most widely used illicit drug among youths in Alaska, with nearly 50 percent of high school students surveyed in 2003 reporting they used marijuana at least once.” To conclude, the harmful uncertainty about granting legalization upon the drug marijuana directs with the possible burden in similarity with existing licit substances. “Are we willing to go down the same road we traveled with alcohol and tobacco, accepting yet another burden on public health and safety?”

"Marijuana: The Facts", Drug Policy Alliance. 2005. <"http://www.drugpolicy.org/marijuana/">.

Worrell, Paul. " Marijuana Should Remain Illegal", Canabis News. 30 October 2004. <"http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/illegal.htm">.

What is literature?

Many sources tend to have different definitions for the same word. Here are two sources about the definition of the literature.

"What is Literature: A MPS Debate", the first informant of this submission, uses two features of the consistent perception to dispute on the true definition of what literature is. "The following is the transcript of a conversation between two facets of the same person/consciousness." The text recognizes the two components as JAW, an aesthete writer and JPM, a post-modernist philosopher, which the transcription locks the two into a combat of intellectual wit over the same fundamental question."…who are locked in bitter intellectual combat in my head. Their topic: the perennial question, “What is Literature?” According to JAW, the definition of literature is simply just the purpose of verbal communication for articulating one's identity. “Literature is the use of language for self-expression – anything that is written with the intention of self-expression qualifies as literature.” However, JPM contradicts JAW by stating there is no true definition, even though he or she announces that the nature literature is an intrinsically personified notion of viewpoints. “Literature is an inherently individualised and perspectival concept with no one correct definition. Distinctions within the concept “literature” are similarly impossible to entertain for the same reasons.” Apparently, as the discussion continues, the two mental figures draw into a stalemate where both voices proclaim individually as the true victor. "JAW: Then it seems like you’ve just conceded my case.” ”JPM: No, you’ve conceded to mine.” “JAW: No!" “JPM: Yes!"

The second source comes from the online encyclopedia, Wikipedia and provides a reasonable explanation upon the definition of what literature is. In reference to Wikipedia, the definition of literature is plainly just a familiarity with letters as a compilation of content, which regards to any structure of passages, such as a thesis. “Literature is literally "an acquaintance with letters" as in the first sense given in the Oxford English Dictionary… The term has generally come to identify a collection of texts. The word "literature" as a common noun can refer to any form of writing, such as essays…” In addition, the online encyclopedia identifies that literature can also present as complete unity of literary work, which can consider international recognition or collaboration from particular ethnicity. “"Literature" as a proper noun refers to a whole body of literary work, world-wide or relating to a specific culture.” Nevertheless, Wikipedia notes that there is an often conflict upon to true meaning behind what literature truly is. “There is often confusion regarding the actual definition of literature and Literature.” Since the general term of literature implies to any form of writing, while Literature corresponds to a sophisticated form of text. “"Literature" refers to written work of exceptional intellectual calibre, whereas "literature" can be anything written.”

Personally, I would more than likely agree with Wikipedia as it brought attention to a specific problem with today's understanding over "literature" and "Literature." Unlike the other source, the online encyclopedia presented facts and not simply just opinions and ideas concerning what the true definiton over the word "literature." Most importantly, Wikipedia took position over the principle concerns addressed in the previous informant and supplied information that would easily settle the case between the arguement presented in "What is Literature: A MPS Debate".

"What is Literature: A MPS Debate" Vassar College Student Webpages <"http://students.vassar.edu/jofigdor/whatislit.htm">.

"Literature", Wikipedia. 23 September 2005. <"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literature">.

Different Evaluations of Literature

A thesis is a literary tool used to permit both the reader and the author to achieve their way in a maze of thoughts by pursuing a gist of notions and ideas. Many critics use this tool as a means of understanding the material that the composer writes.

The writer, Harold Bloom criticizes Stephen King's work by focusing the entire piece as a complete waste to the cultural community. "The publishing industry has stooped terribly low to bestow on King a lifetime award..." "...another low in the shocking process of dumbing down our cultural life." Moreover, Bloom directs further denigration towards Rowling's "Sorcerer’s Stone as a dreadful piece of work that encompasses so many clichés and lifeless metaphors that the book presents no intuitive writing style at all. "The writing was dreadful; the book was terrible." "Rowling's mind is so governed by cliches and dead metaphors that she has no other style of writing." Furthermore, Bloom continues with referring to several other awful writers that receive more credit than they should and a few personal authors of his own that should have received more recognition for their own talents in composition. "But today they are Felicia Hemans, Charlotte Smith, Mary Tighe, Laetitia Landon, and others who just can't write." "Today there are four living American novelists I know of who are still at work and who deserve our praise." Concluding, Mr. Bloom addresses that several individuals today that achieved praise for their own work lack the fundamental literary focus of writing from the historic contributors in the past and from this the present understanding of literature is beginning to deteriorate.

The critic, Steve Almond contrasts Bloom's ideas and statements by claiming them to be farfetched and outrageous. "Like most everything that makes the e–rounds, the piece is both trenchant and ridiculous." Moreover, Almond is convinced that Bloom takes too much of an interest in attacking anyone that he considers as an unskilled flop than to appraise the writers and such that he treasures. "... is why Bloom feels it necessary to sound off against writers he deems inferior, as opposed to celebrating the writers (and the ideas) he admires." Nevertheless, the writer issues out that Bloom knows nothing about how many great writers there consists of and simply just beckons more slander to talented composers. "Bloom, on the other hand, can do little more than holler insults from the sidelines." "What cave is this guy living in? Does he expect to be taken seriously by anyone other than the charter members of his faculty club?" Concluding, Mr. Almond obvious describes Bloom's work as a critic to be a disgraceful and a constant butcher to the esteem of modern literature.

As a particular take of interest, I prefer to agree with Almond's point of view. No one can particularly be as bad of an author that Bloom expresses. "By awarding it to King they recognize nothing but the commercial value of his books..." In addition, I do concur that Bloom exaggerates his own opinions with too much a biased and affirmative tone. "This isn't even good nonsense. It's insufferable." "I said, "I fear that something of great value has ended forever."" If Bloom wants individuals such as me to agree with his views then he should address more openly about the particular portions he finds atrocious and present more logical than emotional highlight to what he is talking about.


Bloom, Harold. "Dumbing down American readers", boston.com news. 24 September 2003. <"http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2003/09/24/dumbing_down_american_readers/">.

Almond, Steve. "THE BLOOM IS OFF THE MARK", MOBYlives. 29 September 2003. <"http://www.mobylives.com/Almond_Bloom.html">.