Marijuana History, Health and Legalization By: Mike Delair & Melanie Conley

Introduction This WebQuest will require students to research, present, and debate on the history, health effects, and legalization of marijuana. You find yourself with a group of friends after school. Some decide to try marijuana. They insist that you try it too. You’re not sure. Your friends insist that it’s no big deal.

But why is this drug illegal if it’s no big deal? Your friends tell you that marijuana should be legalized. Where did marijuana even come from? What are the health effects? Should marijuana be legalized or remain illegal? What do you think? Introduction

Task This WebQuest will have you choose a role and research the topic of marijuana. You will determine if marijuana should be legalized or remain illegal. You will research the history and health effects of marijuana.

Each group will meet to determine if they feel marijuana should be legalized or remain illegal based on the research conducted. The group will present their findings and position on the topic. Task

A student review will be done in the areas of preparedness, collaboration with peers, staying on topic/task, and delegation of responsibility. Task

Process As a member of a three person group you will be required to research the history and health effects of marijuana, as well as deciding as a group if marijuana should be legalized.

Process To complete this task the following are the recommended steps: Meet as a group of three and determine the role each person will undertake. Conduct your research based on the role you have chosen. Meet again as a group to share your research.

Process Additional steps: Working as a group combine your research. Be sure to include evidence to back up the conclusion your team reaches. Prepare a four minute presentation on your conclusion with the evidence to back it. Peer evaluation forms that evaluate your team members’ work will be submitted.

Roles History Your role is to simply research the history of marijuana. Do not include your opinion or judgment. While conducting your research you may want to consider the following: 1.When and where did marijuana originate? 2.What are some other terms for marijuana? 3.What were some common uses of marijuana? 4.How has government intervened with marijuana usage over time?

Roles Effects/Health Impact Your role is to research the effects and health impact of marijuana. Do not include your opinion or judgment. While conducting your research you may want to consider the following: 1.What are some emotional effects of using the drug? 2.What are some physical effects of using the drug? 3.What are the effects of using the drug while pregnant?

Roles Legalization Your role is to research the public perception and government propaganda associated with marijuana. While conducting your research you may want to consider the following: 1.What is the data on those who feel marijuana should remain illegal? 2.Should there be stiffer penalties for marijuana usage than those that are currently imposed? 3.What is the reasoning given for those who are in favor of legalizing marijuana? 4.Explain the government propaganda associated with marijuana. Included examples.

Sources and References

Evaluation – Student Review Each student will be reviewed by their peers. The evaluation will be done in four categories each with a point value. Preparedness – 4 Points Collaboration with Peers – 3 Points Stays on Topic / Task – 2 Points Delegation of Responsibility – 1 Point

Evaluation – Student Review Preparedness Outstanding (4)- Student is completely prepared and has obviously rehearsed. Proficient (3)- Student seems pretty prepared but might have needed a couple more rehearsals. Acceptable (2)- The student is somewhat prepared, but it is clear that rehearsal was lacking. Incomplete (1)- Student does not seem at all prepared to present.

Collaboration with Peers Outstanding (4)- Almost always listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group. Tries to keep people working well together. Proficient (3)- Usually listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group. Does not cause "waves" in the group. Evaluation – Student Review

Collaboration with Peers (Cont.) Acceptable (2)- Often listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group but sometimes is not a good team member. Incomplete (1)- Rarely listens to, shares with, and supports the efforts of others in the group. Often is not a good team member. Evaluation – Student Review

Stays on Topic / Task Outstanding (4)- Stays on topic/task all (100%) of the time. Proficient (3)- Stays on topic/task most (99-90%) of the time. Acceptable (2)- Stays on topic/task some (89%-75%) of the time, wastes some time. Incomplete (1)- Frequently wasted time and wasn't on topic/task. Evaluation – Student Review

Delegation of Responsibility Outstanding (4)- Each student in the group can clearly explain what information is needed by the group, what information s/he is responsible for locating, and when the information is needed. Proficient (3)- Each student in the group can clearly explain what information s/he is responsible for locating. Evaluation – Student Review

Delegation of Responsibility (Cont.) Acceptable (2)- Each student in the group can, with minimal prompting from peers, clearly explain what information s/he is responsible for locating. Incomplete (1)- One or more students in the group cannot clearly explain what information they are responsible for locating. Evaluation – Student Review

Conclusion During this WebQuest you will have looked at the history of Marijuana, its health effects and impact as well as present arguments for or against its legalization.

The legalization of any drug is a debate that is driven very much by each individual's personal feelings and experiences. As government is involved in determining the legality of any drug or substance, this will likely be a debate that will continue. Conclusion

Credits We need to acknowledge and thank the providers of the websites for the use of their resources for our research. The Free Encyclopedia – Wikipedia NARCONON of California High Beam Research – The Columbia Encyclopedia Harvard University – Cyber Law About.com – Health Effects

The Antidrug.com – Mental Health CoolNurse.com - History of Marijuana Mayo Clinic – Marijuana as a Medicine The NEMOURS Foundation MarijuanaAddicition.net Freevibe.com – Youth Anti-drug Campaign National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) CC Guide – Articles for & against legalization Credits Continued

Medical Marijuana ProCon.org NORML – National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws CBS News Balanced Politics.org University of Southern California Credits Continued