Definition The use of illicit or illegal drugs or the abuse of prescription or over-the-counter drugs for purposes other than those for which they are indicated or in a manner or in quantities other than directed. ... While possession was made illegal, the severest penalties were reserved for illicit distribution and manufacture of drugs. ... Prescription drugs are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and the Drug Enforcement Administration. ... See also drug addiction and drug abuse . ... It is seldom used illicitly except by doctors and other medical personnel who have ...

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When the subject of drug use is addressed, most individuals think about the abuse of narcotics - yet the topic of drug use spans a whole plethora of different categories, including legal and illegal consumption of substances. ... The population of drug users includes a wide variety of different peoples as well, one can see the use of drugs spans across a spectrum of people of various backgrounds. Other aspects relating to the frequency of drug use by individuals can also demonstrate how diverse the population of drug users is, as well as it brings up the issue of differentiating between using,...

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INTRODUCTION Marijuana - often called pot, grass, reefer, weed, herb, mary jane, or mj - is the Nation's most commonly used illicit drug. ... Marijuana is the third most popular recreational drug of choice for Americans, exceeded only by alcohol and tobacco in popularity.3 Types of Drugs Used by Past Month Illicit Drug Users Aged 12 or Older: 2002 Marijuana penalties vary nation wide. ... The fact is Blacks and Hispanics who make up only 20 percent of the marijuana smokers in the U.S., but they comprised 58 per cent of the marijuana offenders sentenced under federal law...

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However, in today's society it's categorized as an illicit, illegal substance. ... Classified as a Schedule I drug, cannabis belongs to the most restrictive categories for psychoactive drugs in the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) five categories. Drugs in this category meet three criteria: the drug has high potential for abuse; the drug has not therapeutic value; the drug is not safe for medicinal use. ... The quantities of the drug patients would be allowed to posses would be limited. ... Compared to other drugs, dependency on marijuana is rare. ...

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Secondly, marijuana is a gateway drug. Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug in the United States and tends to be the first illegal drug teens use. ... While most marijuana users do not go on to use more dangerous drugs, most heavy drug users started with marijuana. ... Califano, Jr., (CASA's) president said, "This study reveals a consistent and powerful connection between the use of cigarettes and alcohol and the subsequent use of marijuana, and between the use of cigarettes, alcohol and marijuana and the subsequent use of cocaine and other illicit drugs." ... It's the ...

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Other substantial causes for this controversy are the reported medicinal values of marijuana, the argument of whether or not it is a gateway drug, and the public opinion of nations where the drug is tolerated. ... "The National Household Survey on Drug Abuse" reports that 31.6% of Americans have used marijuana. ... By mere numbers, one can speculate that marijuana has truly become the "middle class drug." ... The drug known as Marinol is a synthetic form of THC. ... Long-term studies show that use of other illicit drugs among youth almost never occurs unless they have first used marijuana (K...

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It would appear that he believes issuing such a threat, will ward off any potential drug dealers looking to exploit America's youth. Holder's claim rests upon the questionable assumption that drug dealers will stop dealing because they are afraid of getting caught. ... Now, advocates for the legalization of marijuana have arrived at a solution: Make the drug legal and that will decrease the prison population. ... Quick has concerns that if the drug were made readily available to adults that it will naturally begin to fall into the hands of minors as well. ... Drug possession offend...

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Pharmacopoeia because it was believed to be a harmful and addictive drug that caused psychoses, mental deterioration, and violent behavior. ... "The current legal status of marijuana was established in 1970 with the passage of the Controlled Substances Act, which divided drugs into five schedules and placed marijuana in Schedule I, the category for drugs with high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use."... According to the authors of Medical Marijuana "All of the currently available analgesic (pain-relieving) drugs have limited efficacy for some types of pain. ... This money could ...

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