SAY KNOW TO DRUGS Arjeta Prenaj

Why are some such as marijuana illegal? Contrary to popular belief, marijuana is not illegal because of its properties, it is illegal because it is associated with a group that’s already marginalized. 1930s- Marijuana Tax Act which effectively prohibited the use of cannabis on a federal level 1970s-Controlled Substance Act which federally prohibited the use and possession of marijuana (Nixon Administration) 2000s- In the past decade, the laws regarding drugs such as marijuana have been changing on the state level. Some states have allowed medical use, some have decriminalized and others kept the same laws.

Although this map may not be 100 % accurate as some of the state laws may have changed, it shows how the numbers of states being more lenient on marijuana policies is growing.

Michelle Alexanders, in The New Jim Crow explains the interrelation of implicit racism and mass incarceration. She sheds light to the fact that is not a coincidence that African-Americans are incarcerated to much higher rates than their white counterparts in regards to drug offenses. Additionally, Alexander’s provides a historical overview of the marginalization of African-American communities and she believes that mass incarceration is a new form of institutional racism that targets them.

Implicit (or explicit) Bias! Implicit bias refers to the attitudes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner.  These biases are activated involuntarily and without an individual’s awareness. For instance, a white woman walking down the street clutches her bag when she passes by a black man. Although the black man has done nothing to threaten the woman, she may think that the black man is “ probably a criminal, thief, drug addict etc..” This is one way people display a behavior unconsciously. The woman may be convinced that she is not racist, but it is something she is not even aware of. One way this can be improved is by discussing the topic of implicit bias. There is also online tests that can be taken which raise awareness about implicit bias.

Drug Schedule according to the Drug Enforcement Administration: Schedule I-- drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Some examples of Schedule I drugs are: heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), marijuana (cannabis), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy), methaqualone, and peyote Schedule II drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with a high potential for abuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence. These drugs are also considered dangerous. Some examples of Schedule II drugs are: Combination products with less than 15 milligrams of hydrocodone per dosage unit (Vicodin), cocaine, methamphetamine, methadone, hydromorphone (Dilaudid), meperidine (Demerol), oxycodone (OxyContin), fentanyl, Dexedrine, Adderall, and Ritalin Schedule III drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence. Schedule III drugs abuse potential is less than Schedule I and Schedule II drugs but more than Schedule IV. Some examples of Schedule III drugs are: Products containing less than 90 milligrams of codeine per dosage unit (Tylenol with codeine), ketamine, anabolic steroids, testosterone Schedule IV drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with a low potential for abuse and low risk of dependence. Some examples of Schedule IV drugs are: Xanax, Soma, Darvon, Darvocet, Valium, Ativan, Talwin, Ambien, Tramadol Schedule V drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with lower potential for abuse than Schedule IV and consist of preparations containing limited quantities of certain narcotics. Schedule V drugs are generally used for antidiarrheal, antitussive, and analgesic purposes. Some examples of Schedule V drugs are: cough preparations with less than 200 milligrams of codeine or per 100 milliliters (Robitussin AC), Lomotil, Motofen, Lyrica, Parepectolin Considering how a lot of states have allowed medical use of marijuana, it does not make sense to say that the drug has “no currently accepted medical use”.

A suggestion to improve the current US drug policies is to consider the suggestions given by World Health Organization. The WHO recommends that this issue by handled by the ministry/ department of health therefore considered as a health problem not a crime problem. Strict drug policies do not reduce the sale and use of drugs. Strict drug policies do increase the unsafe use of drugs, and give individuals criminal records that affect them for life.