Public Policy Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Public Policy - Research Paper Example This feeling is induced by the primary chemical agent of this drug, which is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) considers marijuana to be â€Å"a leading drug threat to the country.† However, U.S. law enforcement authorities generally regard marijuana as a lower threat than cocaine and diverted pharmaceuticals because it has least association with violent crime and property crime. Marijuana is the most readily available and widely used and abused illicit drug in the nation. Owing to its high prevalence, marijuana use has found acceptance among several adults and adolescents and a perception prevails that the drug is not harmful. Over the last few years, a tremendous growth has been witnessed in the usage, distribution and selling of marijuana in different regions of US. Usage of marijuana entails certain side effects. According to researchers, it causes problems in daily life and its us age can worsen a person's existing problems. In addition to that, declining mental and physical health, relationship problems, lower life satisfactions, less academic and career success have been reported, by heavy users of marijuana, as potential side effects. Furthermore it has also been reported that, students among marijuana users are more likely to drop out from school. In the field of work, frequently marijuana usage has been associated with side effects such as accidents, workers' compensation claims, increased absences, tardiness and low job turnover. (Drug abuse, 2012a). However, despite the illicit usage and trafficking of marijuana and the potential risks of consumption, efforts are being made to legalize the drug (White house, 2010). This has been a major public policy issue in the recent past and is a source of continuous debates taking place in the assembly. This research paper will involve a thorough analysis of the scope of this public policy concern and how it affects the public as well as the government. The p roposed policies for addressing this issue will also be discussed and suitable recommendations will be made accordingly. Scope of the public policy concern In the recent times, marijuana legalization has been the pivotal issue being discussed in the â€Å"We the People† petition site launched by White House. This website was launched with a view of providing the US citizens with a means to lobby for relevant issues. The marijuana petition has recorded more than 55,000 signatures, an astounding 20,000 more than any other issue on the website, which demonstrates the importance of the issue. Despite the relative importance of the issue, the government has refrained from responding to the marijuana petition. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) conducted in the year 2010, marijuana is the most heavily used illicit drug (17.4 million past-month users). In that particular year, 76.8 percent of current illicit drug users accounted for the usage of. Out of that, 60.1 percent users only smoked marijuana and no other drug (Ali, 2011). Adolescents and young adults are the most frequent users of marijuana. As far as 8th-graders