Marijuana and Quality of Life

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that academic literature contains an abundant amount of material on the effects of marijuana use. The writer notes that there are many areas in which researchers are in agreement, such as the connection between marijuana use and cognitive impairment. However, there are other areas that are more controversial, such as the connection between marijuana use and mental illness. The writer maintains that regardless of the side that you are on in this debate, there is a concern over the effects of marijuana use on a person's quality of life. This essay addresses literature regarding four areas affecting the quality of life. It addresses marijuana use and general well-being, interpersonal relationships, occupational activities, organizational activities, and leisure activities.

Outline:
Literature Review
The Effects Of Marijuana Use On General Well-Being
The Effects Of Marijuana Use On Interpersonal Relationships
The Effects Of Marijuana Use On Occupational Activities
The Effects Of Marijuana Use On Organizational Activities
The Effects of Marijuana Use On Leisure And Recreational Activities
Summary

From the Paper:

"These studies add weight to the argument that marijuana uses decreases a person's sense of general well-being. The argument is supported by single-researcher longitudinal studies with large sample population. It is also supported by studies that attempted to isolate the dependent variable and to control for confounding variables. The evidence is overwhelming. Many studies were found to support the correlation between marijuana use and the development of psychotic disorders."
"It has been argued that a person's genetics and predisposition towards psychotic behavior are more important than marijuana use. However, it was found that an analysis of 2,437 subjects with a genetic predisposition for psychotic illness, those that smoked marijuana still had an increased risk of developing psychotic illness, when compared to those that did not."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Arseneault L., Cannon M., Poulton R., Murray R. , Caspi A., and Moffit T. (2002). Cannabis use in adolescence and risk for adult psychosis: longitudinal prospective study. BMJ 325: 1212-1213.
• Bing, E., Burnam, M., Longshore, D., Fleishman, A., Sherourne, C., London, A., Turner, B., Eggan, T., Beckman, R., Vitiello, B., Morton, S., Orlando, M., Bozzette, S., Ortiz-Baron, L, and Shapiro, M. (2001). Psychiatric Disorders and Drug Use Among Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Adults in the United States
• Arch Gen Psychiatry, August 1, 2001; 58(8): 721 - 728.
• Bovasso, G. (2001). Cannabis abuse as a risk factor for depressive symptoms. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 158:2033-2037.
• Bray, J., Zarkin, G., Dennis, M., and French, M. (2000). Symptoms of dependence, multiple substance use, and labor market outcomes. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse 26(1):77-95.

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