MARIJUANA DRUG USAGE

1.0  Background of the Study For most of human history, marijuana has been legal. It is not a recently discovered plant, nor is it a long-standing law. Marijuana has been illegal for less than 1% of the time that it is been in use. Its known uses go back further than 7,000 B.C. (Mckim, 2002). The marijuana (hemp) plant has an incredible number of uses. The earliest known woven fabric was apparently of hemp and over the centuries the plant was used for food, incense, cloth, rope, and much more. This adds to some of the confusion over its introduction in the United States, as the plant was well known from the early 1600's but did not reach public awareness as a recreational drug until the early 1900's. Research clearly demonstrates that marijuana has the potential to cause problems in daily life or make a person's existing problems worse. In one study, heavy marijuana abusers reported that the drug impaired several important measures of life achievement including physical and mental health, cognitive abilities, social life, and career status. Several studies associate workers' marijuana smoking with increased absences, tardiness, accidents, workers' compensation claims, and job turnover. Furthermore, According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in 2006, 14.8 million Americans age 12, or older used marijuana at least once in the month prior to being surveyed, which is similar to the 2005 rate. About 6,000 people a day in 2006 used marijuana for the first time—2.2 million Americans. Of these, 63.3 percent were under age 18 (Lynn et al, 2007). 2.0 Statement of the Problem The achievement of abstinence of the recreational use of marijuana is main issue here. What the local government as well as the local people of a nation is doing in protecting people from the ill effects of marijuana is critical. Sustainable drug management and law prohibitions would be the key in combating the threats of the war on drugs as endowed by such human activities. What are the short-term effects of marijuana use? How can you tell if someone is using marijuana? What are activities in the areas that contribute to the massive production of marijuana and the eventual addiction of people would be another issue to deal with. What does marijuana to the brain? Why do young people most of the time inclined to using marijuana? Being aware and having knowledge, then is important for people in having a sound decision on whether to take marijuana or not. 3.0 Objectives of the Study The main purpose of this study is to analyze the several activities or events that link people's exposure in taking marijuana. This research, specifically, purports to determine how these activities affect marijuana usage and to distinguish the role of the people within the vicinity and the authority having jurisdiction in protecting its people. This research takes into account the practices that people do in taking marijuana, recognizing the economic, social, and environmental obligation of the people. The study also seeks to evaluate how being exposed to marijuana most of the time is conducive to trying it and eventually, to some, being addicted to it. This research also intends to explore the media's role in influencing people to be curious about it and some of the laws that are implemented for the regulation in the usage of marijuana. 4.0 Research Methodology This study will use the descriptive type of research. A descriptive research intends to present facts concerning the nature and status of a situation, as it exists at the time of the study and to describe present conditions, events or systems based on the impressions or reactions of the respondents of the research (Creswell, 1994). It is also concerned with relationships and practices that exist, beliefs and processes that are ongoing, effects that are being felt, or trends that are developing (Best, 1970). In this study, primary and secondary research will be both incorporated. The reason for this is to be able to provide adequate discussion for the readers that will help them understand more about the issue and the different variables that involve with it. The primary data for the study will be represented by the survey results that will be acquired from the respondents. On the other hand, the literature reviews to be presented in the second chapter of the study will represent the secondary data of the study. The research will be presented in written form with the addition of data charts which will present the project's results. Pie charts and network charts will be needed to illustrate some of the analyzed data. This cannot be confirmed, however, until the research data have been analyzed.