In The Weeds: Demonization, Legalization, And The Evolution Of U.S. Marijuana Policy

Description

More and more states are legalizing marijuana in some form. Moreover, a majority of the U.S. population is in favor of legalizing the drug for recreational use. In the Weeds looks at how our society has become more permissive in the past 150 years—even though marijuana is still considered a Schedule I drug by the American government. Sociologists Clayton Mosher and Scott Akins take a deep dive into marijuana policy reform, looking at the incremental developments and the historical, legal, social, and political implications of these changes. They investigate the effects, medicinal applications, and possible harms of marijuana. In the Weeds also considers arguments that youth will be heavy users of legalized cannabis, and shows how “weed” is demonized by exaggerations of the drug’s risks and claims that it lacks medicinal value. Mosher and Akins end their timely and insightful book by tracing the distinct paths to the legalization of recreational marijuana in the United States and other countries as well as discussing what the future of marijuana law holds. Contents......Page 6 Preface......Page 8 1. The Changing Landscape of Marijuana......Page 20 2. The Larger Picture: The Social, Political, and Legal History of Marijuana......Page 42 3. Marijuana: The Plant and Its Acute and Chronic Effects, Addictive Potential, and Medicinal Applications......Page 89 4. Marijuana Demonization Themes......Page 117 5. Marijuana Demonization: Agents and Agencies......Page 143 6. Medical and Recreational Marijuana Legalization Policies......Page 171 7. Unfinished Business and Emerging Issues......Page 223 References......Page 254 Index......Page 308