Narineh D. 1. Colorado is one of the states that passed the law to legalize the use of marijuana as a medicine, but this became problem when they legalized the use of recreational marijuana. After recreational marijuana became legal in Colorado, some public schools have seen an increase in the rate of using marijuana by students. This became a big issue for the public schools in Colorado because it is hard to convince students not to use marijuana when it is legal. As Odette Edbrooke, the health education coordinator, said: “When it’s legal for your parents to smoke it or grow it, that changes the conversation”. Therefore, according to Herbert Blumer’s model, this social problem gets the social recognition and legitimation when the Colorado public schools recognized that legalizing recreation marijuana causes the increase of using this drug among students. After recognizing the problem, “Colorado awarded grants, by using ‘marijuana tax revenue’ to help school districts hire nurses, psychologists, counselors and social workers” in order to address the parents and schools concerns. Thus, they started to mobilize for action and they developed an official action to help schools to prevent students from using marijuana.
2. According to conflict theorists, this problem is about the group of people who has the power “bourgeoisie” to change law and regulation at any time based on their needs, and the other group “proletariat” has to obey those laws and regulation. Back in to the history of the United States, we can see the laws like Marijuana Tax Act in 1937 that made cannabis illegal because the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN) had noticed an increase of reports of people smoking marijuana. Therefore, the group that had the power changed the law, because they want to, and the other group had to obey that law. The proletarian are the ones that suffer from the consequences of those changes. As we can see in this article, again the lawmakers thought that it is better to legalize recreational marijuana without thinking about the consequences of this law. They do this because they need “the marijuana tax revenue to help schools to hire nurses, social workers, to teach students about the negative effects of marijuana”. Most of the teenagers don’t worry about the consequences of marijuana on their lives because maybe they think if using marijuana is harmful our government doesn’t pass it as a law. Therefore, again this is about the money and power. By changing the laws, lawmakers also change the definition of deviance and the norms in society. For example, in the past, using marijuana was not acceptable in our society and people especially adolescents knew that it was “illegal” and even when they wanted to use it they were afraid of public reaction. However, this way of thinking has changed because of the word “legal” and people are not ashamed of using marijuana even in the public places. Thus, the powerful group also can change the proletarian way of thinking and the norms of the society.
Narineh D. 3. I choose this topic because as a future social worker, I need to investigate in deeper level of our social problems. This topic interests me because it shows that in some point not all of our laws are in favor of people’s good being. It can have good effects for one group of people (in this case the use of marijuana as a medicine) and bad effect (recreational use of marijuana by teens) for another. Especially the teenagers, who are our future, are more likely to become harm because of these laws. Some people may think that excessive use of alcohol or cigarette is more harmful than marijuana and those are legal. However, by legalizing “recreational marijuana” the government sends this message that you can use the marijuana on your spare time as fun. Moreover, teens, who make decision based on their emotion and not logic and knowledge, are more prone to smoke it. In my opinion one solution that can help to cut the use of marijuana in public school is to find why some teens are more prone to use marijuana. Even it is legal but not all students smoke the pot. Therefore, it should be deeper problem inside of those teens’ lives that may lead them to smoke marijuana. For example, family problems, abusive parents, or psychological problems. Thus, it is better for schools to have professionals who can create more emotional connection with students that they can trust and talk about their issues with them. In other word, prevention is the better way to eliminate this increase use of drugs. Because by campaigning against marijuana, or teaching about the negative effect of it, the teenagers who are already involved, never going to change their mind. For this reason, it is better to find the root of the problem before searching for solution to cut the use of the marijuana.
Jose I. 1. The views of drug use have been steadily changing in this country. In the past few years three states have made the use of recreational marijuana legal. In one of the states, the state of Colorado, school districts have been finding it difficult educating the students on the health risks of marijuana. Especially now that marijuana is considered legal, high school students see marijuana as a drug with not as much lasting negative effects as other drugs. The number of students using marijuana has increased since recreational use became legal. Because of the recent legalization schools in Colorado put in effect other methods in educating students about the drug. Instead of really changing the health curriculum when it comes to drugs, school districts have instead implemented the use of public service announcements to increase awareness on the effects of marijuana. With the tax revenue that is collected with marijuana sales, school districts have also used it to hire more nurses, counselors, psychologists and social workers to work on marijuana education. 2. Someone with a functionalist perspective view of things would see this dilemma as a way of bringing stabilization to the rapid change in views of recreational marijuana. In functionalism the cooperation of each group is needed to have that society run smoothly. In this example, now that recreational marijuana has been made legal, a sudden change in usage among students has been increasing. In order to maintain stability the school districts have to now find different ways of educating students on the effects, so that the existence of each group can contribute to the balance of society. The use of marijuana has been going on for many years now among pre adolescents, but now with the legalization of marijuana, school districts can use different ways of educating students through funds provided by the taxes collected in recreational marijuana sales. Even with the legalization school districts can use those funds in further educating the students therefore more balance and stability can be achieved. 3. I chose to comment on this specific topic because I found it interesting and pre reading the article I knew very little on the effects the legalization of recreational marijuana had on things such as school implications. The proposed solution to this problem would be to continue educating the students on the affects the drug has on one’s health. Students are going to experiment regardless if the drug is legal or illegal. Though the solutions might not come from over exaggerated public service announcements, education of the drug is necessary. Not only should the kids be educated but the parents also. Education on drug prevention, drug abuse and signs of drug use can be very useful for the parents of students. In terms of punishment if a student is found using marijuana on school grounds I think it should change. In most high schools getting caught using marijuana means a few days of suspension, but now that school districts have funding for counselors and psychologists, instead of suspensions, mandatory visits to those personal would benefit them greater.
Becky P 1. This article deals with the dilemma of how to deal with legalization of Marijuana for recreational use in Colorado recently. Colorado is one of three states to implement legalization. The schools specifically are now having to deal with convincing students that just because marijuana is legal, doesn't mean it should be abused. They have used PSA's to try and deter this behavior and have hired multiple counselors and other health professionals to combat the growing number of cases of usage in the public schools. This would become more of a growing concern if other states were to legalize the drug as well. 2. According to interactionist theory, a micro level approach is needed here. This would focus mainly on the individual and how their interactions impact society, they would probably evaluate each case that occurred in the public school system and see if there was indeed a need for intervention. For example, if a student was smoking marijuana on a regular basis but managed to keep their grades up and stay out of trouble in the school setting, then there would be no need for intervention in that case. However, if the same student was causing major disruption in the class room due to marijuana usage or falling behind in school, then intervention would be necessary to correct the problem.
3. I chose this particular article because I strongly believe that marijuana should be legalized with taxation. This would not only be for the medical benefits, but for the added revenue that states desperately need. I propose that it be legal in all states and be heavily regulated like wine and tobacco products are currently. While I understand that parents are deeply concerned about their kids not doing marijuana, if they feel that strongly, they need to talk to their kids about either using it responsibly or encouraging them not to try it at all.
1. The problem is marijuana is being used for fun and not for real medical reasons. Legalization of marijuana in Colorado has opened doors to everyone in the state who has been selling, growing and smoking it illegally. Marijuana should be used for health reasons and that reason only. Many see it as a way out, an escape from reality, an easier way to cope with whatever they are dealing with. Some turn to the drug because they are bored and are on a pursuit of reaching a new high. Being bored has nothing to do with a serious health issue. Altering ones state of mind can lead to many harmful situations. Ex. Driving high can cause an accident, which can result in serious injuries. Many people have died because others don’t seem to pay any importance to the side effects. The upside of legalizing cannabis in Colorado is the increase in the states revenue. The money being received from the taxation of marijuana has been put towards grants for education. Sociologist Denise Loseke states that “conditions are not social problems until humans categorize them as troublesome and in need of repair.” Marijuana is not a social problem until caused to be by people that take advantage of its use. According to Robert Merton “social structures can have positive benefits as well as negative consequences” which he called dysfunctions. 2. From a functionalist point of view this problem has positives and negatives. A positive would be what the money from this product is being used for. A negative would be how marijuana is being used. Pot is a positive function that has been turned into medicine for people with illnesses that some medicines can’t relieve. It is an alternative for those who choose not to be injected and/ or required to take pills. Smoking cannabis has therefore been a successful method to alleviate pain. The dysfunction of legalizing marijuana is the inappropriate use. This social norm has caused adolescents to fall victim to its habitual behavior. This behavior is mainly caused by peer pressure. Friends decide to try it and pass it along to others causing a chain reaction. We then start to see a pattern of abuse as opposed to seeing the proper medicinal purpose. 3. I feel that marijuana should not be legalized because it leads our youth to delinquency. If we let drug dealers run free with ounces of this controlled substance, we are giving others the option of obtaining it. As a parent and due to my career choice, I do not agree with this law passing. I would definitely want my daughter to stay away from something that may harm her in the long run. Hours of being trapped in a haze are not worth the damage it can cause to her and to others when it is over. Pursuing a career in law enforcement has led me to my biased opinion. I have seen many of my family members become addicted to smoking marijuana. I personally see no gain whatsoever. I propose that marijuana stays illegal and is only given to patients with a legitimate and justifiable reason.
Anthony E. 1.As the modern day progresses the view that marijuana is a harmful substance is steadily changing. More and more people state that they use it for “medicinal” purposes or for “recreational” activities. Four out of our 50 states in the past couple years have legalized marijuana for recreational and medicinal purposes such as Alaska, Colorado, Oregon and Washington. In Colorado, since it is now legalized, some school districts are finding it to be challenging to educate their students on the many health risks of marijuana. School staff and people of the communities are inferring that, since marijuana is described as a “recreational” drug many youth use it as such.
2. Pertaining to a conflict theorist they would say that this is a big issue of the class struggle. The “Haves” (1% ers) have all the power and will change the laws accordingly to work in their favor against the “Have-nots” (99% ers). The way the Haves keep the overall social order is by implementing different laws; when you implement laws, everyday occurrences become norms or deviant acts. Yes money is being put back into their state economies to hire people such as school nurses, social workers and counselors to teach the effects of the drug to students. Well conflict theorist can argue that if marijuana was not legal in the first place you would not need to explain and educate the youth on the better ways to use the “recreational” drug.
3.I chose this topic because in the near future I will be a police officer and being a police officer means I will have to know past and future laws. I will think if I can grasp a more ideological approach when dealing with people or why people act a certain way I think it will help me be a better peace officer. I commented on this topic because it is interesting to understand the politics and controversies behind this “recreational” drug. I honestly think one solution would be to make this drug illegal in all of the United States. Yes there are some stories where people who have had almost fatal illnesses survive from this drug but, honestly we can see the majority either abuse it or just use it to get high.
Ellen T. 1. Colorado Amendment 64 legalized the use and sale of non-medical marijuana and this has caused increase in use of the drug among teenagers in high schools. A problem has been born in the fact that in many high schools, such as Arapahoe Ridge High School in Boulder, young students there who are still developing neurologically view the drug as less harmful than tobacco and alcohol. Therefore, younger students justify using it recreationally despite the health and social risks, given the fact the drug is now legal. It is recognized as a legitimate social problem because it receives social recognition from concerned parents and teachers who noticed the rise in drug use among students and postulate that it would lead to a social and moral decline as an inefficient coping mechanism. It is not only a social problem in the sense of public morality, but in the fact that it is an actual health concern and financial issue. The school is profiting from the marijuana tax which provide its anti-marijuana counselors, which only reinforces use of the drug. It is a health concern, given that a neuroscientist had to come and speak with the students of marijuana's detrimental effects on the adolescent brain. The mobilization and legitimization of this social problem came from the PSAs and resources the schools are providing to discourage the use and appeal of marijuana use. 2. From the conflict theorist perspective, a macro or large scale generalized approach, the legalization and subsequent criminalization of marijuana is a representative of a conflict of two social groups trying to gain power to drive their own agenda. From a Marxist point of view, the group of people who have the power, the capitalists and lawmakers choose to oppress the working class through their legislation. Legislating laws against drugs is no new concept in America, where in 1875 Opium was prohibited because white men were worried that white women were being seduced by Chinese men into opium dens and therefore passed a law prohibiting it in a passive aggressive act of racism. In this case, it is a conflict between the older lawmakers and the younger generation. A second point of contention may be a struggle between economic classes, where the rich lawmakers get to decide what is socially acceptable and criminalize the poor classes who are more likely to engage in recreational marijuana use. The rich have the power of deciding the status quo, so even if rich people engage in drug use, it is likely the poorer class, such as the students of a public school, are more likely to receive repercussions and concern for their use. Even though legislation has passed allowing the use of marijuana and now Colorado is receiving power in the terms of tax money to endorse its use, having a bit of power in the status quo does not grant the younger generation amnesty, as the older generation of lawmakers frown upon the use of recreational marijuana and still pressing their own opinions on the youth in the form of public and moral concern. 3. I chose this specific topic because I believe strongly in the freedom that people should be able to decide what they put into their bodies and advocate the legalization of marijuana in the same manner alcohol and tobacco is regulated. With drugs, it must be treated as a health issue, and younger people who are more susceptible to its use must be taught the adverse effects it can have on their development and how to use it responsibly. Criminalizing drugs will only serve to throw more youths and ethnic minorities in jail for non-violent crimes. America has the highest rate of incarceration from the rest of the developed nations, which must be addressed. The social conflict between the poor and rich, between white and minority must be seen for it is a large disparity. Minorities are much more likely to be convicted for drug offenses, disguised as high schools looking out for their students. Some students getting high and missing school is a reflection of poor parenting, not legislation.
Lauren P. 1. This article dives in to the controversial world of legalizing marijuana and the effects it has on teenagers. It has become difficult for schools to teach the dangers of marijuana use because students are learning one thing in the classrooms, and learning something completely different outside of school. Although the Colorado, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska have legalized recreational marijuana use the states have left the education of the drugs dangers up to each individual school district. This makes it difficult for schools to educate because of the major differences in beliefs of marijuanas positive effects and negative effects. 2. From a functionalist perspective this is an important article and debate. Functionalists focus on society as a whole and how they work together. In this article it shows how society is separated on this topic. This issues has divided the population into different groups. The people who are for marijuana use, the people who are against it, and the people who are indifferent. These groups can also be classified as the people who consume marijuana, the people who want to educate about the dangers, and the people who do not fall into either category. These groups cause problems within the functionalist perspective because instead of society working together as a whole to achieve a greater good, each group is fighting for what they believe is right in order to achieve what they want. This article shows that society is fighting against one another and is not maintaining its structure of working together. 3. This topic stood out most to me because of the field of work I am in. I work with people who struggle with addiction and alcoholism. I often ask the clients at my work about their views on marijuana. Many of them don’t see it as a bad drug at all. For me, I have repeatedly seen the negative affects of this drug. This article clearly shows the debate and controversy over “recreational” marijuana use. I feel that just because something is legal it does not make it healthy or ok for you to regularly do. This is especially important when teaching children and teenagers. The young boy who was interviewed in the article clearly demonstrates this. He says that no amount of education or PSA’s could change his views on marijuana. Legalizing marijuana makes it so much more difficult to educate children on the dangers of it.
1. I disagree with what Anthony was saying, mostly because I feel he did not understand what the article was saying, which is also why I chose to reply to his comment. Where he says "you would not need to explain and educate the youth on the better ways to use the 'recreational' drug", I have to point out that the article wasn't trying to say that. It was specifically saying that a concern was that schools should teach OTHER coping mechanisms BESIDES recreational marijuana use. Another comment that I wish to bring up was when he said "I honestly think one solution would be to make this drug illegal in all of the United States. Yes there are some stories where people who have had almost fatal illnesses survive from this drug but, honestly we can see the majority either abuse it or just use it to get high". The fact of the matter is, those people are using marijuana, legal or not, so wouldn't it be a better solution to tax it, make it legal, and then use the profits toward the education system and to inform people on the statistics surrounding marijuana and the actual effects it has on your body and mind? My opinion on the topic, as a child of people who have abused marijuana in their past and as a friend to those who use in both abusive and non abusive ways, is that people are going to use whether it's legal or not. It doesn't matter if I agree with the way many people abuse it or not. I'd rather take a complex situation and simplify it by legalizing it in order to use the tax to better inform our nation's youth of the effects of marijuana and the possible dangers of abusing it.
2. From an Interactionist Perspective, this is a social problem since it has risen from a stigmatized activity. Because an interactionist looks closer at the individual, they would not generalize that recreational marijuana use is always a problem. They would see it as some people abuse marijuana and others do not. Because of this, they would seek order through maintaining an understanding of marijuana, why people use it, and what effects it actually has. I'd say that Colorado has taken the interactionist approach to using the money from taxing marijuana to inform the public on all of those things.
3. As I have said before, I don't believe that making marijuana illegal would help our economy or our social problems surrounding recreational use. Although it is a realistic idea, considering there are many states that still do not allow the recreational use of marijuana, I don't see it as a helpful solution. I stand by Colorado's decision to legalize marijuana and use the money to inform public school students and to provide the support they need to find other ways of coping with their problems besides pot. I think it also serves the purpose of decreasing the number of people in prison for possession of marijuana. Think of how many non-violent people would be out of our prisons, significantly reducing the amount of funding going into prisons and allowing more space for those in prison for crimes that actually hurt people, like murder, rape, assault, robberies, identity theft, and fraud. Besides that, it would actually reduce the use of pot since less people will be using it to be rebellious and more people will understand how dangerous it CAN be although it is surprisingly not as harmful as alcohol and tobacco. It won't stop use all together, but the most important thing is making the public aware.
Dina A. In Response to Narineh D. 1. Regarding the article of “legalizing Marijuana” in the state of Colorado,in which in this specific comment the problem was issued to be the difficulty of persuading the students not to use marijuana when it became legal, I strongly agree with this perspective of addressing this to be the issue. When something is forbidden for a kid, it automatically draws even more attention as to why it should be forbidden to them; hence, they are always on the verge of wanting to use, see, or do more specially when it’s forbidden. As consequence, when given the opportunity or the green light, in this case the legalization of “recreational” marijuana, they jump at the opportunity with a blink of an eye. Thus, to convince them not use marijuana, when they actually have the right to, it is now almost impossible for them to even think twice. In response to my peer’s comment, what stood out for me the most was when she specifically addressed the highlight of this issue when she quoted the health education coordinator, Odette Edbrooke’s comments that indicated “When it’s legal for your parents to smoke it or grow it, that changes the conversation.” Us, humans, we always need a reason for everything and this becomes our motto, “If one can do it, then why not me”; therefore, if their parents can do it, then why not them. I chose to comment on this specific entry, because it illustrated the precise problem that exists. In fact, we know this is a problem when it creates itself to be recognized as a social problem. This is a social problem because in time, when kids smoke marijuana constantly, they will develop health problems, and as a society we would face even more issues. For instance, instead of having a healthy society, most people would suffer from many different kinds of illnesses, even develop poor skills. 2. A functionalist perspective on this social problem would be that change and adaptations are required to permit society to function as a whole. Legalizing marijuana would allow citizens to abide to these rules. Consequently, citizens would help the government, or state, by paying more taxes. By collecting these taxes, again to maintain the balance of the society, the districts can use these funds to further the new ways of educating students. The functionalist perspective would see this interdependence as advantageous to our society, in that it would uplift our economy in the process. Both sides work together to achieve social unity. Now that recreational marijuana is legal, there is instantaneous change of the use in students; hence, to maintain stability, schools need to look for new ways of educating to position a strong effect on students that will last. Now for this matter, the existence of these two groups are crucial to the society, because they depend on each other for the sake of the society’s stability and balance. The functionalist perspective would see this issue in a good way because it would see the fact that many people will develop illnesses in the constant use of the drug, which to cure them, we would need doctors, so to function this community these two groups again would need to depend on each other to keep this balance and stability.
Continuation Dina A. 3. Although I respect my peer’s solution to this problem, but I cannot disagree with her more, because the solution is not finding out why they are prone to smoke marijuana, in which ,yes, some of the reasons could be family problems, abusive parents, or psychological problems; yet, they are still kids, and they will always want to do things that they are forbidden to do. As I’ve said before us, humans, always need a reason for the things that it has been stated not to be done; thus, if such reasons does not exist, then even if it’s pointless, we will still do it just because we have the right to, and specially adolescents that are curious to try new things. Thus, it’s not the matter of why we are prone to do it, it’s just human nature. I think a more reasonable and helpful solution would be to prohibit recreational marijuana completely; yet, just be allowed for prescribed use only for medicinal reasons. When it is illegal, then there is no other problems as to how we should convince our students not to use when it is legal, or be worried if they would have illnesses or have poor skills later on. Prohibiting the use of recreational marijuana would help this whole society, and would prevent all other upcoming issues relating this matter. I think, there is no reason why recreational marijuana should even consider to be legalized, because it makes the person unconscious and it later develops health issues. I think life is too beautiful to be lived unconsciously.
1. I agree with Lauren although I believe marijuana should be legalized. I agree when she said that it’s becoming more difficult to educate children at the schools of Colorado about the harms of marijuana since it has been legalized at that state. I do believe it’s a social problem because of the fact that it’s creating a debate amongst parents who are concerned about their children being harmed by marijuana, but I also believe it’s a temporary social problem. It is not a long term social problem like poverty is for example. It is a temporary social problem because since the legalization of it has been recently; therefore society does know how to handle it yet. For example Alcohol is also a substance being consumed but it’s not a social problem because it generates money and employment. Therefore, in time society will realize that marijuana can help generate employment for people who live in poverty who wish to be employed. 2. An Interactionist would say that the legalization of Marijuana would only be a social problem depending on whether people interpret the herb to be actually harmful or not. People interpret things differently and the legalization of Marijuana may not be a social problem for some but it would be a social problem for others. Basically people tend to respond to a subject depending on the basis of the labels that they attract from the rest of society. Therefore, if marijuana gets labeled as being bad by society, an individual would believe it’s bad since it has already been labeled as bad. I don’t think this would be a problem if individuals had their own criticism of things instead of following labels from the rest of society. 3. To my belief, Lauren P. did not propose a solution to this social problem. However, my solution would be to keep the legalization of marijuana but educate the parents of high school students so they can create their own perspective of what this herb is all about. I think that the parents and faculty are making a big deal about marijuana when the real problem is in how they educate their own children.
1) The legalization of marijuana for “recreational use” has created a social problem within the education system. I agree with Ellen on the idea behind the irony of this. The state of Colorado, one of the three who have legalized the use of marijuana, believes to be “benefiting” from the taxes placed on this drug. However, schools such as Arapahoe Ridge High School use that extra bit of money they receive to hire nurses, psychologists, counselors and social workers to assist those students and parents who are trying to cope with this issue. Instead of using those grants to further ones education, they are only use it assist problems which arose from source of the issue. While marijuana has a positive side effects for those individuals who are using for medical benefits, students who are still maturing and developing in high school receive the wrong impression from these legalization of this drug. It is harmful to their health and development. Economies think they are benefiting form the tax revenue placed on marijuana, but most of that money is used to fund public programs educating on the use of it. Its ironic isn't it?
2) An interactionist who is anti-marijuana might say society has labeled the use of marijuana as “recreational” creating a sense of ease to those who are using. It is like they are choosing to be naive of the fact of the harmful factors. An interactionist who is pro-marijuana might say that society has labeled the act as deviant. They might take into consideration those “pot heads” who are on the honor roll. They might be smoking weed everyday, but it doesn't effect their performance. Either anti or pro, both individuals would focus on societies creation of words or behaviors towards the issue. As Herbert Mead defined in our book, “Our interactions are based on language, based on words”(Guerrero16). These words we use to speak, the way we phrase things, all have its own symbolic connotation. We as society create what is seen as acceptable. The legalization of marijuana in Colorado has made it seem more acceptable within society for individuals of all ages.
3) A solution Ellen proposed was the issue of parenting. To some degree I can agree with this. If a child is exposed to the use of drugs in the household, they might find it to be an acceptable thing to do. They are more likely to find themselves using as it like a chain reaction passed down. On the other hand, from some own experience, I know there are children who grow up with a strong Father and Mother figure, with no leniency to any kind of drugs, even cigarettes, yet they still end up down the wrong road. Parents to some extent have a great influence on children, but once that child is old enough to know what is right or wrong, they make their own decisions. Parents can not control their kids forever. I my opinion, the law needs to change. Some kind of restriction needs to be placed on it or maybe society needs to replace the word recreational from the term used. They are making if seem like it is not a big deal, you just do it to do it, but not enforcing the negatives to society. In this case, society as a whole would need to make some changes.
Elisa J. In Response to Ellen T. 1. I do agree with Ellen’s response, she talks about how the lawmakers, who are usually those in power, will keep the poorer class in its place, basically. Laws are made because they know there will always be people to break them. People that live among poverty do tend to commit more crime because they become anxious and they are tired of wanting and try to take matters into their own hands and do whatever they can to get what they want, whether its good or bad. Legalizing marijuana is a social problem because they are not talking about legalizing only medical and only for medical reasons but they want to legalize all. You have more teens getting access to marijuana, which has caused they to not want to go to school or learn. This makes it an issue because these teens are the adults of the future. If you do not have teens going to school then what will the future behold for them. 2. In a functionalist perspective they would say that legalizing marijuana helps society function. It helps lawmakers keep their jobs, these marijuana counselors get to have jobs, keeps police on business, and keeps parents paying for therapist, psychiatrists, and psychologists. They can also tax on it, which would help their state. They would say that it keeps money moving and in a sense keeps society in order. The ones selling are most likely low income to no income people. It’s a quick way to make money. Also the schools that have teens not attending those will be the ones that will most likely work at low-income jobs and you always need people to work those jobs. 3. The solution that she proposed was basically it falls back on the parents. I don’t think this is a real solution because once your child is at school and around friends there is always peer pressure and most teens fall into it. The parent cannot always be around to hold the child’s hand. Teens are curious they want to try new things and experience as much as they can. I think a solution to this problem is making a new law. There should not be marijuana available for recreational use. You should have a prescription to use it if it’s a medical condition. There is nothing that schools can really do because it falls back on the state.
Amber A. In response to Anthony E. 1. I don’t agree with Anthony’s argument of, “if marijuana was not legal in the first place you would not need to explain and educate the youth on the better ways to use the “recreational” drug”. First of all no matter what perspective you take, education is necessary for our youth. The youth in general needs to be educated and what better way to teach them, than to educate them on something that they are curious about. Let’s just say we agreed with Anthony and that marijuana wasn’t legal in Colorado, why would we not educate our youth about it? That’s like saying since “rape” is illegal, we don’t need to educate our youth about what it is, or the effects it has on individuals and the community. Whether the individual agrees with using recreational marijuana or not, their right to be educated about the substance should not be suppressed. How is a growing child supposed to know what decision to make if they have no knowledge about the substance whatsoever? By eliminating their option to be educated about a substance is going to make them more curious and want to try the drug even more. I chose to comment on this topic, because as an adult “medical/recreational” marijuana is available. Anthony’s take on the matter is a bit different than my take on the matter, that’s why I chose his entry to comment on. Personally I feel that medical marijuana is a social problem in the way that individuals are being criminalized for using it. This is a social problem because various institutions such as: the family and the economy are receiving negative consequences from marijuana.
2. The Functionalist perspective defines a society as being an interrelated system. Therefore, the youth rely on education and the educational system relies on the youth, marijuana has an effect on both institutions, which is why marijuana is a social problem. What I mean by that is, when marijuana comes into play, the educational system needs the youth in order to conduct studies and observe what effects marijuana has on the youth; in order to create theories and compile information about what the use of marijuana does. Once we find out about the effects of marijuana, we then can use this information to educate our youth. We need each part to contribute to the whole. A functionalist would say that marijuana is functional to society, in that it serves a purpose. Anthony states, [that if we make marijuana illegal that we wouldn’t need to spend extra money paying for services such as: school nurses, social workers and counselors to teach our youth about marijuana]. However from a functionalist perspective, the fact that marijuana is supplying these people with jobs in the first place, makes it functional for society.
3. I think that Anthony’s solution of making marijuana illegal in all states, is not a functional solution for society at all. However it is feasible, because in a vast majority of the United States it is already illegal. When looking at Colorado and comparing their economic fluctuation from before and after legalizing marijuana, we can see that legalizing marijuana had a positive effect on the economy. My solution would be to legalize marijuana in order to help accelerate the economy out of its trillion dollars of debt, the economy would be benefiting from the taxes put on marijuana. Legalizing marijuana would also rid many of the people who were sent to jail for the use of marijuana, from their label of “criminal”. When legalizaling marijuana, a vast majority of the overcrowded jails would be emptied, the unlawfully accused marijuana using “criminals” would not be considered crimanals anymore. Also, marijuana would be accepted as a form of natural medication, for people who do not want the crazy side effects of
1. After reading your response I would have to say I definitely agree with what you on how parents need to talk to their children about marijuana use. I feel that it is up to the parents to give them advice on what should be done in terms of using marijuana or not. What really stood out to me was the example you gave on the school intervening if things got out of control. I think that would be a clever way of maintaining order and function around the school. I choose to comment on this peer's response because I like that it had a realistic approach to it. It had more grey area rather than being just black or white. I find the topic interesting and I don't think it's as big as a social problem as people make it out to be. I think marijuana just has a stigma which is why "using it" is associated with doing something bad although not always the case.
2. A functionalist would say that marijuana use is necessary in building stability amongst the students and adults in the Colorado school system. If students were to take the PSA's presented to them seriously this would help other students not use marijuana for "recreational purposes" but rather for medicinal reasons. But if students were to disobey they would show other students the side effects and repercussions that come with marijuana use.
3. I think the solution proposed by Becky is definitely feasible. Making this a micro-problem and intervening only when the student is clearly abusing their freedom makes sense to me. I think another solution to this would be showing students that using marijuana is not a horrible thing, but like everything in life it should be done in small doses. There's no need to abuse anything in life. It can be done once in a while but not daily.
1. It is true that Colorado and a few other states recently legalized marijuana and that its recreational use could potentially harm its users in the long run. It is easy to say that marijuana is bad for the health of teenagers and other recreational marijuana consumers but we forget to take into account that the harm may be less than the outcome of abstinence. This response was wappealing to me because i believe that it is a common misconception. I beg to differ from ms ellen because there is more to marijuana consumption than the elite's economic benefit as stated through conflict perspective.while it very much is a social problem there are many other factors to take into account in high school teenagers.
2.If we look at it through symbolic interactionalist perspective we can better understand why hurting your lungs as a teenager might not be such a bad thing. As an adolecent a high school student like in colorado might be well aware of the health implications tied to marijuana usage but this has never been a reason not to. Take in to mind that bullying is very powerful because through fear people tend to bend and accept the either-or fallacy. To them there is no way that they can possibly say no to recreational usage otherwise they will be sentenced to "death". Though the death mayt only be through popularity it is still important. We have a strong desire to be accepted and like cooley tought us the looking glass self is nothing but us accepting our societies view of us and us adopting it.
3.A good way to deal with recreational use of marijuana is just to not regulate it. Alchohol was the same way, we even see it inscribed onto the US constitution. We need to par attention to the kids in a one on one basis to be able to regulate recreational use. It is common that we tend to rebel against what is wrong because the tabu makes it all the more fun and exciting but what if we got rid of the tabu? It is a feasible way to do it because if we see that users start developing disease or negative outcomes through the usage then students would no longer have to just hear us scold them but they could see for themselves.
Arpine M. In response to Narineh D. 1.I agree with Narineh, that when the law legalized recreational marijuana schools saw an increase of usage among students. The thing that got my attention was how although the bad outcome was that students in high school began to use it more, there was also a good outcome where Colorado started to award grants by using marijuana tax revenue to help school districts to hire nurses, psychologists and social workers in order to address the parents and schools concerns. Legalizing marijuana for medical reasons is understanding but legalizing it for recreational reasons is not something I would vote on because younger people now will have easy access to it, which we clearly saw with the increase in usage in schools. This is a social problem because of the health issues that come with the usage of marijuana. 2. An interactionist would argue that people learn things from others, the people who we hang around with have a big impact on us. For example, if a new student was to come to a new school where majority of the classmates smoke marijuana than that student is more likely to smoke marijuana. But if a student moves to a new school where no one smokes marijuana than he/she is less likely to not smoke. 3. The solution provided by Narineh is somewhat true, that in order to stop the usage we need to understand the reason. It can be possible to do that with the help of counselors talking with individuals who use marijuana but not really realistic because in my opinion that would not stop the usage. A solution that in my opinion would helps is to make this drug illegal all over United States this would decrease somewhat the usage, due to being scared of getting caught by police and being fined.
19 comments:
Narineh D.
1. Colorado is one of the states that passed the law to legalize the use of marijuana as a medicine, but this became problem when they legalized the use of recreational marijuana. After recreational marijuana became legal in Colorado, some public schools have seen an increase in the rate of using marijuana by students. This became a big issue for the public schools in Colorado because it is hard to convince students not to use marijuana when it is legal. As Odette Edbrooke, the health education coordinator, said: “When it’s legal for your parents to smoke it or grow it, that changes the conversation”. Therefore, according to Herbert Blumer’s model, this social problem gets the social recognition and legitimation when the Colorado public schools recognized that legalizing recreation marijuana causes the increase of using this drug among students. After recognizing the problem, “Colorado awarded grants, by using ‘marijuana tax revenue’ to help school districts hire nurses, psychologists, counselors and social workers” in order to address the parents and schools concerns. Thus, they started to mobilize for action and they developed an official action to help schools to prevent students from using marijuana.
2. According to conflict theorists, this problem is about the group of people who has the power “bourgeoisie” to change law and regulation at any time based on their needs, and the other group “proletariat” has to obey those laws and regulation. Back in to the history of the United States, we can see the laws like Marijuana Tax Act in 1937 that made cannabis illegal because the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN) had noticed an increase of reports of people smoking marijuana. Therefore, the group that had the power changed the law, because they want to, and the other group had to obey that law. The proletarian are the ones that suffer from the consequences of those changes. As we can see in this article, again the lawmakers thought that it is better to legalize recreational marijuana without thinking about the consequences of this law. They do this because they need “the marijuana tax revenue to help schools to hire nurses, social workers, to teach students about the negative effects of marijuana”. Most of the teenagers don’t worry about the consequences of marijuana on their lives because maybe they think if using marijuana is harmful our government doesn’t pass it as a law. Therefore, again this is about the money and power. By changing the laws, lawmakers also change the definition of deviance and the norms in society. For example, in the past, using marijuana was not acceptable in our society and people especially adolescents knew that it was “illegal” and even when they wanted to use it they were afraid of public reaction. However, this way of thinking has changed because of the word “legal” and people are not ashamed of using marijuana even in the public places. Thus, the powerful group also can change the proletarian way of thinking and the norms of the society.
Narineh D.
3. I choose this topic because as a future social worker, I need to investigate in deeper level of our social problems. This topic interests me because it shows that in some point not all of our laws are in favor of people’s good being. It can have good effects for one group of people (in this case the use of marijuana as a medicine) and bad effect (recreational use of marijuana by teens) for another. Especially the teenagers, who are our future, are more likely to become harm because of these laws. Some people may think that excessive use of alcohol or cigarette is more harmful than marijuana and those are legal. However, by legalizing “recreational marijuana” the government sends this message that you can use the marijuana on your spare time as fun. Moreover, teens, who make decision based on their emotion and not logic and knowledge, are more prone to smoke it. In my opinion one solution that can help to cut the use of marijuana in public school is to find why some teens are more prone to use marijuana. Even it is legal but not all students smoke the pot. Therefore, it should be deeper problem inside of those teens’ lives that may lead them to smoke marijuana. For example, family problems, abusive parents, or psychological problems. Thus, it is better for schools to have professionals who can create more emotional connection with students that they can trust and talk about their issues with them. In other word, prevention is the better way to eliminate this increase use of drugs. Because by campaigning against marijuana, or teaching about the negative effect of it, the teenagers who are already involved, never going to change their mind. For this reason, it is better to find the root of the problem before searching for solution to cut the use of the marijuana.
Jose I.
1. The views of drug use have been steadily changing in this country. In the past few years three states have made the use of recreational marijuana legal. In one of the states, the state of Colorado, school districts have been finding it difficult educating the students on the health risks of marijuana. Especially now that marijuana is considered legal, high school students see marijuana as a drug with not as much lasting negative effects as other drugs. The number of students using marijuana has increased since recreational use became legal. Because of the recent legalization schools in Colorado put in effect other methods in educating students about the drug. Instead of really changing the health curriculum when it comes to drugs, school districts have instead implemented the use of public service announcements to increase awareness on the effects of marijuana. With the tax revenue that is collected with marijuana sales, school districts have also used it to hire more nurses, counselors, psychologists and social workers to work on marijuana education.
2. Someone with a functionalist perspective view of things would see this dilemma as a way of bringing stabilization to the rapid change in views of recreational marijuana. In functionalism the cooperation of each group is needed to have that society run smoothly. In this example, now that recreational marijuana has been made legal, a sudden change in usage among students has been increasing. In order to maintain stability the school districts have to now find different ways of educating students on the effects, so that the existence of each group can contribute to the balance of society. The use of marijuana has been going on for many years now among pre adolescents, but now with the legalization of marijuana, school districts can use different ways of educating students through funds provided by the taxes collected in recreational marijuana sales. Even with the legalization school districts can use those funds in further educating the students therefore more balance and stability can be achieved.
3. I chose to comment on this specific topic because I found it interesting and pre reading the article I knew very little on the effects the legalization of recreational marijuana had on things such as school implications. The proposed solution to this problem would be to continue educating the students on the affects the drug has on one’s health. Students are going to experiment regardless if the drug is legal or illegal. Though the solutions might not come from over exaggerated public service announcements, education of the drug is necessary. Not only should the kids be educated but the parents also. Education on drug prevention, drug abuse and signs of drug use can be very useful for the parents of students. In terms of punishment if a student is found using marijuana on school grounds I think it should change. In most high schools getting caught using marijuana means a few days of suspension, but now that school districts have funding for counselors and psychologists, instead of suspensions, mandatory visits to those personal would benefit them greater.
Becky P
1. This article deals with the dilemma of how to deal with legalization of Marijuana for recreational use in Colorado recently. Colorado is one of three states to implement legalization. The schools specifically are now having to deal with convincing students that just because marijuana is legal, doesn't mean it should be abused. They have used PSA's to try and deter this behavior and have hired multiple counselors and other health professionals to combat the growing number of cases of usage in the public schools. This would become more of a growing concern if other states were to legalize the drug as well.
2. According to interactionist theory, a micro level approach is needed here. This would focus mainly on the individual and how their interactions impact society, they would probably evaluate each case that occurred in the public school system and see if there was indeed a need for intervention. For example, if a student was smoking marijuana on a regular basis but managed to keep their grades up and stay out of trouble in the school setting, then there would be no need for intervention in that case. However, if the same student was causing major disruption in the class room due to marijuana usage or falling behind in school, then intervention would be necessary to correct the problem.
3. I chose this particular article because I strongly believe that marijuana should be legalized with taxation. This would not only be for the medical benefits, but for the added revenue that states desperately need. I propose that it be legal in all states and be heavily regulated like wine and tobacco products are currently. While I understand that parents are deeply concerned about their kids not doing marijuana, if they feel that strongly, they need to talk to their kids about either using it responsibly or encouraging them not to try it at all.
Lindsey E.
1. The problem is marijuana is being used for fun and not for real medical reasons. Legalization of marijuana in Colorado has opened doors to everyone in the state who has been selling, growing and smoking it illegally. Marijuana should be used for health reasons and that reason only. Many see it as a way out, an escape from reality, an easier way to cope with whatever they are dealing with. Some turn to the drug because they are bored and are on a pursuit of reaching a new high. Being bored has nothing to do with a serious health issue. Altering ones state of mind can lead to many harmful situations. Ex. Driving high can cause an accident, which can result in serious injuries. Many people have died because others don’t seem to pay any importance to the side effects. The upside of legalizing cannabis in Colorado is the increase in the states revenue. The money being received from the taxation of marijuana has been put towards grants for education. Sociologist Denise Loseke states that “conditions are not social problems until humans categorize them as troublesome and in need of repair.” Marijuana is not a social problem until caused to be by people that take advantage of its use. According to Robert Merton “social structures can have positive benefits as well as negative consequences” which he called dysfunctions.
2. From a functionalist point of view this problem has positives and negatives. A positive would be what the money from this product is being used for. A negative would be how marijuana is being used. Pot is a positive function that has been turned into medicine for people with illnesses that some medicines can’t relieve. It is an alternative for those who choose not to be injected and/ or required to take pills. Smoking cannabis has therefore been a successful method to alleviate pain. The dysfunction of legalizing marijuana is the inappropriate use. This social norm has caused adolescents to fall victim to its habitual behavior. This behavior is mainly caused by peer pressure. Friends decide to try it and pass it along to others causing a chain reaction. We then start to see a pattern of abuse as opposed to seeing the proper medicinal purpose.
3. I feel that marijuana should not be legalized because it leads our youth to delinquency. If we let drug dealers run free with ounces of this controlled substance, we are giving others the option of obtaining it. As a parent and due to my career choice, I do not agree with this law passing. I would definitely want my daughter to stay away from something that may harm her in the long run. Hours of being trapped in a haze are not worth the damage it can cause to her and to others when it is over. Pursuing a career in law enforcement has led me to my biased opinion. I have seen many of my family members become addicted to smoking marijuana. I personally see no gain whatsoever. I propose that marijuana stays illegal and is only given to patients with a legitimate and justifiable reason.
Anthony E.
1.As the modern day progresses the view that marijuana is a harmful substance is steadily changing. More and more people state that they use it for “medicinal” purposes or for “recreational” activities. Four out of our 50 states in the past couple years have legalized marijuana for recreational and medicinal purposes such as Alaska, Colorado, Oregon and Washington. In Colorado, since it is now legalized, some school districts are finding it to be challenging to educate their students on the many health risks of marijuana. School staff and people of the communities are inferring that, since marijuana is described as a “recreational” drug many youth use it as such.
2. Pertaining to a conflict theorist they would say that this is a big issue of the class struggle. The “Haves” (1% ers) have all the power and will change the laws accordingly to work in their favor against the “Have-nots” (99% ers). The way the Haves keep the overall social order is by implementing different laws; when you implement laws, everyday occurrences become norms or deviant acts. Yes money is being put back into their state economies to hire people such as school nurses, social workers and counselors to teach the effects of the drug to students. Well conflict theorist can argue that if marijuana was not legal in the first place you would not need to explain and educate the youth on the better ways to use the “recreational” drug.
3.I chose this topic because in the near future I will be a police officer and being a police officer means I will have to know past and future laws. I will think if I can grasp a more ideological approach when dealing with people or why people act a certain way I think it will help me be a better peace officer. I commented on this topic because it is interesting to understand the politics and controversies behind this “recreational” drug. I honestly think one solution would be to make this drug illegal in all of the United States. Yes there are some stories where people who have had almost fatal illnesses survive from this drug but, honestly we can see the majority either abuse it or just use it to get high.
Ellen T.
1. Colorado Amendment 64 legalized the use and sale of non-medical marijuana and this has caused increase in use of the drug among teenagers in high schools. A problem has been born in the fact that in many high schools, such as Arapahoe Ridge High School in Boulder, young students there who are still developing neurologically view the drug as less harmful than tobacco and alcohol. Therefore, younger students justify using it recreationally despite the health and social risks, given the fact the drug is now legal. It is recognized as a legitimate social problem because it receives social recognition from concerned parents and teachers who noticed the rise in drug use among students and postulate that it would lead to a social and moral decline as an inefficient coping mechanism. It is not only a social problem in the sense of public morality, but in the fact that it is an actual health concern and financial issue. The school is profiting from the marijuana tax which provide its anti-marijuana counselors, which only reinforces use of the drug. It is a health concern, given that a neuroscientist had to come and speak with the students of marijuana's detrimental effects on the adolescent brain. The mobilization and legitimization of this social problem came from the PSAs and resources the schools are providing to discourage the use and appeal of marijuana use.
2. From the conflict theorist perspective, a macro or large scale generalized approach, the legalization and subsequent criminalization of marijuana is a representative of a conflict of two social groups trying to gain power to drive their own agenda. From a Marxist point of view, the group of people who have the power, the capitalists and lawmakers choose to oppress the working class through their legislation. Legislating laws against drugs is no new concept in America, where in 1875 Opium was prohibited because white men were worried that white women were being seduced by Chinese men into opium dens and therefore passed a law prohibiting it in a passive aggressive act of racism. In this case, it is a conflict between the older lawmakers and the younger generation. A second point of contention may be a struggle between economic classes, where the rich lawmakers get to decide what is socially acceptable and criminalize the poor classes who are more likely to engage in recreational marijuana use. The rich have the power of deciding the status quo, so even if rich people engage in drug use, it is likely the poorer class, such as the students of a public school, are more likely to receive repercussions and concern for their use. Even though legislation has passed allowing the use of marijuana and now Colorado is receiving power in the terms of tax money to endorse its use, having a bit of power in the status quo does not grant the younger generation amnesty, as the older generation of lawmakers frown upon the use of recreational marijuana and still pressing their own opinions on the youth in the form of public and moral concern.
3. I chose this specific topic because I believe strongly in the freedom that people should be able to decide what they put into their bodies and advocate the legalization of marijuana in the same manner alcohol and tobacco is regulated. With drugs, it must be treated as a health issue, and younger people who are more susceptible to its use must be taught the adverse effects it can have on their development and how to use it responsibly. Criminalizing drugs will only serve to throw more youths and ethnic minorities in jail for non-violent crimes. America has the highest rate of incarceration from the rest of the developed nations, which must be addressed. The social conflict between the poor and rich, between white and minority must be seen for it is a large disparity. Minorities are much more likely to be convicted for drug offenses, disguised as high schools looking out for their students. Some students getting high and missing school is a reflection of poor parenting, not legislation.
Lauren P.
1. This article dives in to the controversial world of legalizing marijuana and the effects it has on teenagers. It has become difficult for schools to teach the dangers of marijuana use because students are learning one thing in the classrooms, and learning something completely different outside of school. Although the Colorado, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska have legalized recreational marijuana use the states have left the education of the drugs dangers up to each individual school district. This makes it difficult for schools to educate because of the major differences in beliefs of marijuanas positive effects and negative effects.
2. From a functionalist perspective this is an important article and debate. Functionalists focus on society as a whole and how they work together. In this article it shows how society is separated on this topic. This issues has divided the population into different groups. The people who are for marijuana use, the people who are against it, and the people who are indifferent. These groups can also be classified as the people who consume marijuana, the people who want to educate about the dangers, and the people who do not fall into either category. These groups cause problems within the functionalist perspective because instead of society working together as a whole to achieve a greater good, each group is fighting for what they believe is right in order to achieve what they want. This article shows that society is fighting against one another and is not maintaining its structure of working together.
3. This topic stood out most to me because of the field of work I am in. I work with people who struggle with addiction and alcoholism. I often ask the clients at my work about their views on marijuana. Many of them don’t see it as a bad drug at all. For me, I have repeatedly seen the negative affects of this drug. This article clearly shows the debate and controversy over “recreational” marijuana use. I feel that just because something is legal it does not make it healthy or ok for you to regularly do. This is especially important when teaching children and teenagers. The young boy who was interviewed in the article clearly demonstrates this. He says that no amount of education or PSA’s could change his views on marijuana. Legalizing marijuana makes it so much more difficult to educate children on the dangers of it.
Sarah K.
In Response to Anthony E.
1. I disagree with what Anthony was saying, mostly because I feel he did not understand what the article was saying, which is also why I chose to reply to his comment. Where he says "you would not need to explain and educate the youth on the better ways to use the 'recreational' drug", I have to point out that the article wasn't trying to say that. It was specifically saying that a concern was that schools should teach OTHER coping mechanisms BESIDES recreational marijuana use. Another comment that I wish to bring up was when he said "I honestly think one solution would be to make this drug illegal in all of the United States. Yes there are some stories where people who have had almost fatal illnesses survive from this drug but, honestly we can see the majority either abuse it or just use it to get high". The fact of the matter is, those people are using marijuana, legal or not, so wouldn't it be a better solution to tax it, make it legal, and then use the profits toward the education system and to inform people on the statistics surrounding marijuana and the actual effects it has on your body and mind? My opinion on the topic, as a child of people who have abused marijuana in their past and as a friend to those who use in both abusive and non abusive ways, is that people are going to use whether it's legal or not. It doesn't matter if I agree with the way many people abuse it or not. I'd rather take a complex situation and simplify it by legalizing it in order to use the tax to better inform our nation's youth of the effects of marijuana and the possible dangers of abusing it.
2. From an Interactionist Perspective, this is a social problem since it has risen from a stigmatized activity. Because an interactionist looks closer at the individual, they would not generalize that recreational marijuana use is always a problem. They would see it as some people abuse marijuana and others do not. Because of this, they would seek order through maintaining an understanding of marijuana, why people use it, and what effects it actually has. I'd say that Colorado has taken the interactionist approach to using the money from taxing marijuana to inform the public on all of those things.
3. As I have said before, I don't believe that making marijuana illegal would help our economy or our social problems surrounding recreational use. Although it is a realistic idea, considering there are many states that still do not allow the recreational use of marijuana, I don't see it as a helpful solution. I stand by Colorado's decision to legalize marijuana and use the money to inform public school students and to provide the support they need to find other ways of coping with their problems besides pot. I think it also serves the purpose of decreasing the number of people in prison for possession of marijuana. Think of how many non-violent people would be out of our prisons, significantly reducing the amount of funding going into prisons and allowing more space for those in prison for crimes that actually hurt people, like murder, rape, assault, robberies, identity theft, and fraud. Besides that, it would actually reduce the use of pot since less people will be using it to be rebellious and more people will understand how dangerous it CAN be although it is surprisingly not as harmful as alcohol and tobacco. It won't stop use all together, but the most important thing is making the public aware.
Dina A.
In Response to Narineh D.
1. Regarding the article of “legalizing Marijuana” in the state of Colorado,in which in this specific comment the problem was issued to be the difficulty of persuading the students not to use marijuana when it became legal, I strongly agree with this perspective of addressing this to be the issue. When something is forbidden for a kid, it automatically draws even more attention as to why it should be forbidden to them; hence, they are always on the verge of wanting to use, see, or do more specially when it’s forbidden. As consequence, when given the opportunity or the green light, in this case the legalization of “recreational” marijuana, they jump at the opportunity with a blink of an eye. Thus, to convince them not use marijuana, when they actually have the right to, it is now almost impossible for them to even think twice. In response to my peer’s comment, what stood out for me the most was when she specifically addressed the highlight of this issue when she quoted the health education coordinator, Odette Edbrooke’s comments that indicated “When it’s legal for your parents to smoke it or grow it, that changes the conversation.” Us, humans, we always need a reason for everything and this becomes our motto, “If one can do it, then why not me”; therefore, if their parents can do it, then why not them. I chose to comment on this specific entry, because it illustrated the precise problem that exists. In fact, we know this is a problem when it creates itself to be recognized as a social problem. This is a social problem because in time, when kids smoke marijuana constantly, they will develop health problems, and as a society we would face even more issues. For instance, instead of having a healthy society, most people would suffer from many different kinds of illnesses, even develop poor skills.
2. A functionalist perspective on this social problem would be that change and adaptations are required to permit society to function as a whole. Legalizing marijuana would allow citizens to abide to these rules. Consequently, citizens would help the government, or state, by paying more taxes. By collecting these taxes, again to maintain the balance of the society, the districts can use these funds to further the new ways of educating students. The functionalist perspective would see this interdependence as advantageous to our society, in that it would uplift our economy in the process. Both sides work together to achieve social unity. Now that recreational marijuana is legal, there is instantaneous change of the use in students; hence, to maintain stability, schools need to look for new ways of educating to position a strong effect on students that will last. Now for this matter, the existence of these two groups are crucial to the society, because they depend on each other for the sake of the society’s stability and balance. The functionalist perspective would see this issue in a good way because it would see the fact that many people will develop illnesses in the constant use of the drug, which to cure them, we would need doctors, so to function this community these two groups again would need to depend on each other to keep this balance and stability.
Continuation Dina A.
3. Although I respect my peer’s solution to this problem, but I cannot disagree with her more, because the solution is not finding out why they are prone to smoke marijuana, in which ,yes, some of the reasons could be family problems, abusive parents, or psychological problems; yet, they are still kids, and they will always want to do things that they are forbidden to do. As I’ve said before us, humans, always need a reason for the things that it has been stated not to be done; thus, if such reasons does not exist, then even if it’s pointless, we will still do it just because we have the right to, and specially adolescents that are curious to try new things. Thus, it’s not the matter of why we are prone to do it, it’s just human nature. I think a more reasonable and helpful solution would be to prohibit recreational marijuana completely; yet, just be allowed for prescribed use only for medicinal reasons. When it is illegal, then there is no other problems as to how we should convince our students not to use when it is legal, or be worried if they would have illnesses or have poor skills later on. Prohibiting the use of recreational marijuana would help this whole society, and would prevent all other upcoming issues relating this matter. I think, there is no reason why recreational marijuana should even consider to be legalized, because it makes the person unconscious and it later develops health issues. I think life is too beautiful to be lived unconsciously.
Lucia L.
In response to Lauren P.
1. I agree with Lauren although I believe marijuana should be legalized. I agree when she said that it’s becoming more difficult to educate children at the schools of Colorado about the harms of marijuana since it has been legalized at that state. I do believe it’s a social problem because of the fact that it’s creating a debate amongst parents who are concerned about their children being harmed by marijuana, but I also believe it’s a temporary social problem. It is not a long term social problem like poverty is for example. It is a temporary social problem because since the legalization of it has been recently; therefore society does know how to handle it yet. For example Alcohol is also a substance being consumed but it’s not a social problem because it generates money and employment. Therefore, in time society will realize that marijuana can help generate employment for people who live in poverty who wish to be employed.
2. An Interactionist would say that the legalization of Marijuana would only be a social problem depending on whether people interpret the herb to be actually harmful or not. People interpret things differently and the legalization of Marijuana may not be a social problem for some but it would be a social problem for others. Basically people tend to respond to a subject depending on the basis of the labels that they attract from the rest of society. Therefore, if marijuana gets labeled as being bad by society, an individual would believe it’s bad since it has already been labeled as bad. I don’t think this would be a problem if individuals had their own criticism of things instead of following labels from the rest of society.
3. To my belief, Lauren P. did not propose a solution to this social problem. However, my solution would be to keep the legalization of marijuana but educate the parents of high school students so they can create their own perspective of what this herb is all about. I think that the parents and faculty are making a big deal about marijuana when the real problem is in how they educate their own children.
Erlin K.
In response to Ellen T.
1) The legalization of marijuana for “recreational use” has created a social problem within the education system. I agree with Ellen on the idea behind the irony of this. The state of Colorado, one of the three who have legalized the use of marijuana, believes to be “benefiting” from the taxes placed on this drug. However, schools such as Arapahoe Ridge High School use that extra bit of money they receive to hire nurses, psychologists, counselors and social workers to assist those students and parents who are trying to cope with this issue. Instead of using those grants to further ones education, they are only use it assist problems which arose from source of the issue. While marijuana has a positive side effects for those individuals who are using for medical benefits, students who are still maturing and developing in high school receive the wrong impression from these legalization of this drug. It is harmful to their health and development. Economies think they are benefiting form the tax revenue placed on marijuana, but most of that money is used to fund public programs educating on the use of it. Its ironic isn't it?
2) An interactionist who is anti-marijuana might say society has labeled the use of marijuana as “recreational” creating a sense of ease to those who are using. It is like they are choosing to be naive of the fact of the harmful factors. An interactionist who is pro-marijuana might say that society has labeled the act as deviant. They might take into consideration those “pot heads” who are on the honor roll. They might be smoking weed everyday, but it doesn't effect their performance. Either anti or pro, both individuals would focus on societies creation of words or behaviors towards the issue. As Herbert Mead defined in our book, “Our interactions are based on language, based on words”(Guerrero16). These words we use to speak, the way we phrase things, all have its own symbolic connotation. We as society create what is seen as acceptable. The legalization of marijuana in Colorado has made it seem more acceptable within society for individuals of all ages.
3) A solution Ellen proposed was the issue of parenting. To some degree I can agree with this. If a child is exposed to the use of drugs in the household, they might find it to be an acceptable thing to do. They are more likely to find themselves using as it like a chain reaction passed down. On the other hand, from some own experience, I know there are children who grow up with a strong Father and Mother figure, with no leniency to any kind of drugs, even cigarettes, yet they still end up down the wrong road. Parents to some extent have a great influence on children, but once that child is old enough to know what is right or wrong, they make their own decisions. Parents can not control their kids forever. I my opinion, the law needs to change. Some kind of restriction needs to be placed on it or maybe society needs to replace the word recreational from the term used. They are making if seem like it is not a big deal, you just do it to do it, but not enforcing the negatives to society. In this case, society as a whole would need to make some changes.
Elisa J.
In Response to Ellen T.
1. I do agree with Ellen’s response, she talks about how the lawmakers, who are usually those in power, will keep the poorer class in its place, basically. Laws are made because they know there will always be people to break them. People that live among poverty do tend to commit more crime because they become anxious and they are tired of wanting and try to take matters into their own hands and do whatever they can to get what they want, whether its good or bad. Legalizing marijuana is a social problem because they are not talking about legalizing only medical and only for medical reasons but they want to legalize all. You have more teens getting access to marijuana, which has caused they to not want to go to school or learn. This makes it an issue because these teens are the adults of the future. If you do not have teens going to school then what will the future behold for them.
2. In a functionalist perspective they would say that legalizing marijuana helps society function. It helps lawmakers keep their jobs, these marijuana counselors get to have jobs, keeps police on business, and keeps parents paying for therapist, psychiatrists, and psychologists. They can also tax on it, which would help their state. They would say that it keeps money moving and in a sense keeps society in order. The ones selling are most likely low income to no income people. It’s a quick way to make money. Also the schools that have teens not attending those will be the ones that will most likely work at low-income jobs and you always need people to work those jobs.
3. The solution that she proposed was basically it falls back on the parents. I don’t think this is a real solution because once your child is at school and around friends there is always peer pressure and most teens fall into it. The parent cannot always be around to hold the child’s hand. Teens are curious they want to try new things and experience as much as they can. I think a solution to this problem is making a new law. There should not be marijuana available for recreational use. You should have a prescription to use it if it’s a medical condition. There is nothing that schools can really do because it falls back on the state.
Amber A.
In response to Anthony E.
1. I don’t agree with Anthony’s argument of, “if marijuana was not legal in the first place you would not need to explain and educate the youth on the better ways to use the “recreational” drug”. First of all no matter what perspective you take, education is necessary for our youth. The youth in general needs to be educated and what better way to teach them, than to educate them on something that they are curious about. Let’s just say we agreed with Anthony and that marijuana wasn’t legal in Colorado, why would we not educate our youth about it? That’s like saying since “rape” is illegal, we don’t need to educate our youth about what it is, or the effects it has on individuals and the community. Whether the individual agrees with using recreational marijuana or not, their right to be educated about the substance should not be suppressed. How is a growing child supposed to know what decision to make if they have no knowledge about the substance whatsoever? By eliminating their option to be educated about a substance is going to make them more curious and want to try the drug even more. I chose to comment on this topic, because as an adult “medical/recreational” marijuana is available. Anthony’s take on the matter is a bit different than my take on the matter, that’s why I chose his entry to comment on. Personally I feel that medical marijuana is a social problem in the way that individuals are being criminalized for using it. This is a social problem because various institutions such as: the family and the economy are receiving negative consequences from marijuana.
2. The Functionalist perspective defines a society as being an interrelated system. Therefore, the youth rely on education and the educational system relies on the youth, marijuana has an effect on both institutions, which is why marijuana is a social problem. What I mean by that is, when marijuana comes into play, the educational system needs the youth in order to conduct studies and observe what effects marijuana has on the youth; in order to create theories and compile information about what the use of marijuana does. Once we find out about the effects of marijuana, we then can use this information to educate our youth. We need each part to contribute to the whole. A functionalist would say that marijuana is functional to society, in that it serves a purpose. Anthony states, [that if we make marijuana illegal that we wouldn’t need to spend extra money paying for services such as: school nurses, social workers and counselors to teach our youth about marijuana]. However from a functionalist perspective, the fact that marijuana is supplying these people with jobs in the first place, makes it functional for society.
3. I think that Anthony’s solution of making marijuana illegal in all states, is not a functional solution for society at all. However it is feasible, because in a vast majority of the United States it is already illegal. When looking at Colorado and comparing their economic fluctuation from before and after legalizing marijuana, we can see that legalizing marijuana had a positive effect on the economy. My solution would be to legalize marijuana in order to help accelerate the economy out of its trillion dollars of debt, the economy would be benefiting from the taxes put on marijuana. Legalizing marijuana would also rid many of the people who were sent to jail for the use of marijuana, from their label of “criminal”. When legalizaling marijuana, a vast majority of the overcrowded jails would be emptied, the unlawfully accused marijuana using “criminals” would not be considered crimanals anymore. Also, marijuana would be accepted as a form of natural medication, for people who do not want the crazy side effects of
Amber A. responding to Anthony E. cont'd
..prescription pills. Legalizing marijuana would help fix this social problem.
Christine Z.
In response to Becky P:
1. After reading your response I would have to say I definitely agree with what you on how parents need to talk to their children about marijuana use. I feel that it is up to the parents to give them advice on what should be done in terms of using marijuana or not. What really stood out to me was the example you gave on the school intervening if things got out of control. I think that would be a clever way of maintaining order and function around the school. I choose to comment on this peer's response because I like that it had a realistic approach to it. It had more grey area rather than being just black or white. I find the topic interesting and I don't think it's as big as a social problem as people make it out to be. I think marijuana just has a stigma which is why "using it" is associated with doing something bad although not always the case.
2. A functionalist would say that marijuana use is necessary in building stability amongst the students and adults in the Colorado school system. If students were to take the PSA's presented to them seriously this would help other students not use marijuana for "recreational purposes" but rather for medicinal reasons. But if students were to disobey they would show other students the side effects and repercussions that come with marijuana use.
3. I think the solution proposed by Becky is definitely feasible. Making this a micro-problem and intervening only when the student is clearly abusing their freedom makes sense to me. I think another solution to this would be showing students that using marijuana is not a horrible thing, but like everything in life it should be done in small doses. There's no need to abuse anything in life. It can be done once in a while but not daily.
Jorge G.
In Response to Ellen T.
1. It is true that Colorado and a few other states recently legalized marijuana and that its recreational use could potentially harm its users in the long run. It is easy to say that marijuana is bad for the health of teenagers and other recreational marijuana consumers but we forget to take into account that the harm may be less than the outcome of abstinence. This response was wappealing to me because i believe that it is a common misconception. I beg to differ from ms ellen because there is more to marijuana consumption than the elite's economic benefit as stated through conflict perspective.while it very much is a social problem there are many other factors to take into account in high school teenagers.
2.If we look at it through symbolic interactionalist perspective we can better understand why hurting your lungs as a teenager might not be such a bad thing. As an adolecent a high school student like in colorado might be well aware of the health implications tied to marijuana usage but this has never been a reason not to. Take in to mind that bullying is very powerful because through fear people tend to bend and accept the either-or fallacy. To them there is no way that they can possibly say no to recreational usage otherwise they will be sentenced to "death". Though the death mayt only be through popularity it is still important. We have a strong desire to be accepted and like cooley tought us the looking glass self is nothing but us accepting our societies view of us and us adopting it.
3.A good way to deal with recreational use of marijuana is just to not regulate it. Alchohol was the same way, we even see it inscribed onto the US constitution. We need to par attention to the kids in a one on one basis to be able to regulate recreational use. It is common that we tend to rebel against what is wrong because the tabu makes it all the more fun and exciting but what if we got rid of the tabu? It is a feasible way to do it because if we see that users start developing disease or negative outcomes through the usage then students would no longer have to just hear us scold them but they could see for themselves.
Arpine M.
In response to Narineh D.
1.I agree with Narineh, that when the law legalized recreational marijuana schools saw an increase of usage among students. The thing that got my attention was how although the bad outcome was that students in high school began to use it more, there was also a good outcome where Colorado started to award grants by using marijuana tax revenue to help school districts to hire nurses, psychologists and social workers in order to address the parents and schools concerns. Legalizing marijuana for medical reasons is understanding but legalizing it for recreational reasons is not something I would vote on because younger people now will have easy access to it, which we clearly saw with the increase in usage in schools. This is a social problem because of the health issues that come with the usage of marijuana.
2. An interactionist would argue that people learn things from others, the people who we hang around with have a big impact on us. For example, if a new student was to come to a new school where majority of the classmates smoke marijuana than that student is more likely to smoke marijuana. But if a student moves to a new school where no one smokes marijuana than he/she is less likely to not smoke.
3. The solution provided by Narineh is somewhat true, that in order to stop the usage we need to understand the reason. It can be possible to do that with the help of counselors talking with individuals who use marijuana but not really realistic because in my opinion that would not stop the usage. A solution that in my opinion would helps is to make this drug illegal all over United States this would decrease somewhat the usage, due to being scared of getting caught by police and being fined.
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