A discourse on the legalization of medical cannabis in selected states: It’s implication on the proposed HB 4477 or the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act

Abstract

This study aimed to conduct a content analysis of the medical marijuana laws in three US States namely Colorado, Oregon, and California and compared these laws. A non-experimental and qualitative content analysis was used as a research design and in gathering the data for this study. The study focused on the medical marijuana laws of Colorado, Oregon and California. The purposive samples were the researches and studies which surveyed and gauged the effectiveness of the application of the respective marijuana laws and policies of the States of Colorado, Oregon, and California. The areas examined where whether decriminalization and legalization of medical cannabis significantly decreased the rate of drug abuse, and whether there are adverse societal effects brought about by the legalization of the use of medical cannabis. Data gathered were analyzed and interpreted on the basis of the specific objectives in the preceding statement, further taking into account the assumptions that legalization of medical marijuana would decrease the incidence of drug abuse and that it would eliminate drug abuse.