To many of us, its clear to see that the use of marijuana is taking our nation by storm. It is  in our media, it is in our schools, and it is everywhere around us. At times, it may seem confusing as to why this "illegal drug" is playing such a large role in our media. The most confusing part is, why is it legal not only medicinally, but recreationally in some states, but not at all in others? There is a lot of grey area in regards to the use of marijuana. Of our 50 states, 21 of which have legalized the use of medicinal marijuana. Another 12 of our states have legislation pending. That is over 60% of American states. Another leading epidemic in the US is the rise of depression and other related mental illnesses. 6.7% of Americans struggle with major depression and an astonishing 27.3 % of americans suffer from related mental illnesses. So, the question is, does the use of medicinal cannabis play a positive or negative affect on users that struggle with depression and other similar illnesses? 

American media is filled with an array of studies and opinions on marijuana. In some cases, it can be quite difficult to differentiate between opinion and fact. By using information found in specific studies, completed by reputable researchers and organizations, it can be a much simpler task to form an opinion on the impacts of medicinal marijuana. 

Colorado is a state very commonly used by researchers because it has a higher average suicide rate than other states and has legalized use of medicinal marijuana. A study completed by Melanie Rylander, MD, a psychologist in Colorado, and her teammates, finds that there is no correlation between the number of marijuana registrants and completed suicides in the state of Colorado. Her studies show that as registrants increase, the amount of completed suicides remains consistent. Rylander does address that studying this correlation is quite difficult because the number or registrants and completed suicides is so vastly different. 

A PBS article, written by Robert Pursell, is a great example of how marijuana plays an affect on our media. This simple news article is actually very informative. Although Pursell, himself, does not have credibility to discuss this topic, his use of the study published by the American Public Health Journal, co-written by Montana State, San Diego, and University of Colorado at Denver, gives him a huge advantage to the public. The study completed analyzes an astonishing 17 years worth of statistics. They found that suicide rates among men decreased an average of 10%. For females, the results where less precise. They conclude that marijuana use is positively associated with depression. Pursell re-states the information found in the study, by doing this, he is able to present an unbiased news article for the public to form their own opinions upon.

In another article, published by "Toke of the Town" a webpage aimed solely at "news, views, humor and rumor" associated with the use of marijuana. Ron Marczyk, RN takes a more biased approach to re-stating information found in studies. He includes studies completed by "Toke of the Town" and an American Independent study. Both studies show that suicide rates are falling in states that legalize medical marijuana. This article is written in a question-answer style. To a reader, this can be more appealing because they can find a better understanding of the material. To the writer, it can be easier to persuade the reader because they trust their answers. Marczyk also addresses another big factor that is taking our US military by storm: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. After returning home from their tours, 468 American solders committed suicide, opposed to the 462 that died in combat. Although there is only a difference of 6, this number is far to close for everyone's comfort. He uses our pathos against us with our directly stating that medicinal marijuana can assist these soldiers. 

To some, the research leaves a clear answer. It almost seems as if there is no other way. The research shows one of two things in regards to the use of medicinal cannabis and those suffering from depression and other related illnesses. Either there is no correlation, or there is a positive impact on the users. "Traditional" medicines can have more negative impact on the body than something that simply grows from the ground. The use of medicinal marijuana can make a he impact on medical advancements and the health of our american citizens, so why isn't it legal yet?

Research Question: Does the use of medicinal cannabis play a positive or negative affect on users that struggle with depression and other similar illnesses?

I am particularly interested in the legalization of medicinal marijuana because my grandmother suffers from Multiple Sclerosis. Recently, she has moved south to live with me so that I can take care of her as her health slowly deteriorates.  When she lived up north, she was able to receive medicinal cannabis as treatment for her disability. Now that she has moved south, she is having more difficulties handling her symptoms (restless legs, depression, etc.) This is causing her to resort to "traditional" medicines, that cause her to have other negative side effects. Although I have never personally used marijuana, I am fully aware of its abilities as a medicinal drug. Additionally, I feel like the sales can highly benefit not only state economies, but our national economy. As a republican, this research topic can definitely be a slightly controversial one. My values tend to conform to those shared typically shared by other republicans. Although it may cause others to doubt my values, I know that I can stand firm in my beliefs. I feel that since I have first hand experience with the benefits of the medicinal use of marijuana, I am qualified to discuss my opinions and research with others. 

The source by M. Rylander, MD, is not an article but a study. Rylander and her team researched the correlation between medicinal marijuana use, assessed by the number of medical marijuana registrants and the number of completed suicides for each county in Colorado. They found no correlation between the number of registrants and completed suicides. Taking into consideration that this study was completed in Colorado, a state with a suicide rate well above national average and legal medicinal marijuana, this study can contain some bias plainly by location. For the medical professionals that completed this article, there could be additional monetary benefits if "no correlation is found." Certainly that may not be a common issue, it may be a possible one. Rylander gains her credibly by being a psychologist in Colorado. She has the ability to write prescriptions for medicinal cannabis, so since she reserves that right, she is highly educated on the subject. She shows no bias in her study.

The source by Marczyk's contains a large portion of informative information from studies completed by American Independent and a study completed by "Toke of the Town." Marczyk is a columnist for a news website that is solely for the purpose of informing the public of the "news, views, humor, and rumor" of marijuana. For Marczyk, he is promoting not only the use of marijuana, but himself in his articles. He is clearly an advocate for the use of cannabis. By relying on solely on the positive outcomes of medicinal marijuana, his article contains a certain amount of bias. Although he is biased, he gains his credibility by using the research of other credible doctors and organizations to support his claim. He is very skillful about his placement of graphs and links to other research. 

Pursell,  a columnist for PBS, reviews a study completed by the American Public Health Journal. The study goes into detail about the suicide rates of marijuana users in our American population. Their research shows that suicide rates have dropped 5% across the board. More specifically, rates have dropped an astonishing 10% in men alone. Additionally, vehicular fatalities have decreased by 8-11% in the first year of legalization. For this author, there is no major "values" at stake.  Finally, this author shows no bias as he is simply writing a summary of a study completed by the APHJ. He even uses a link to "outdated marijuana PSA's" to show the comparison of the "old" and the "new." Although he may not have specific credibility, his use of others research and proper citations allows him to gain respect from his readers.

I feel as if my research question is highly arguable, as depression takes an impact on a very large portion of Americans. Different sources can contain a large variety of bias, for example, a report completed by an "anti-marijuana" organization, is going to work against legalization causing outsiders to be swayed to the publisher's opinions. This topic shows very little "grey area." Most research and opinions are either for it, or against the use of marijuana. I have discovered that older research contains more negative effects of the use of marijuana, where as modern research has more positive effects. I have found no perspectives that have changed my perspective on this topic. 

