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Abilene Hope Kugler

Mrs. Jackie Burr, Instructor

Eng. 1010, Section 3

13 November 2018

Annotated Bibliography

Lamonica, Aukje K., et al. “Gaps in Medical Marijuana Policy Implementation: Real-Time

Perspectives from Marijuana Dispensary Entrepreneurs, Health Care Professionals and

Medical Marijuana Patients.” Drugs: Education, Prevention & Policy, vol. 23, no. 5, Oct.

2016, pp. 422–434. EBSCOhost, doi:10.3109/09687637.2016.1150963.

This study focused on examining marijuana implementation in Massachusetts by interviewing

entrepreneurs, customers, and health care professionals. The biggest hindrance to successful
implementation of legal marijuana distribution was lack of effective communication of policy.
All interviewed subjects had different interpretations of the laws in place. Based on the findings
the study recommends that a standard of honest and open communication is put in place with
easy access to all stakeholders. It also recommends that an online form of registration be
developed for stakeholders and an education system be set in place for stakeholders (including
general members of the community).

I will use this source to discuss how marijuana use in the workplace would affect the different
stakeholders. I hope to specifically discuss the importance of companies implementing specific
standards for their employees and discuss measures put in place in pennsylvania. I will use the
information about online forms to discuss accessibility.

Metts, Julius, et al. “Medical Marijuana: A Treatment Worth Trying?” Journal of Family

Practice, vol. 65, no. 3, Mar. 2016, pp. 178–185. EBSCOhost,

search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=113533218&site=ehost-live.

Julius helps his audience analyse and think about the potential beneficial effects of medical
marijuana. In the beginning of the article he emphasizes the fact that further research is necessary
in order to obtain quality and reliable results. In the next segment of the journal he discusses the
research and results of medical marijuana use in patients with chronic and neuropathic pain, MS
symptoms, neurologic disorders, Cancer-related symptoms, anorexia and cachexia, and HIV and
AIDS-related morbidity and mortality. The last segment discusses different patient types and
warns against use of medical marijuana in patients who display certain “red flags”.
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I will focus the evidence from this article to discuss the debilitating effects of chronic pain and
different illnesses to explain that marijuana is a positive resource. I want to tie this information
into an analysis of how these disabilities may affect individuals in the workplace. I want to
discuss best and worst case scenarios for employees with and without medical marijuana.

Rendall, Russell. “Medical Marijuana and the Ada: Removing Barriers to Employment for

Disabled Individuals.” Health Matrix: Journal of Law-Medicine, vol. 22, no. 1, Winter

2012, pp. 315–343. EBSCOhost,

search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=75497320&site=ehost-live.

Russell begins by recalling a couple of stories about people who were using medical marijuana
legally who were fired from their jobs for their substance use. He argues that there has been
enough medical research to prove that medical marijuana is effective and beneficial to its
recipients gaining independence and a way to provide for themselves. He names a multitude of
medical marijuana applications such as PTSD, chronic pain, and migraine treatment. Russell
recommends that the ADA provide protection to disabled individuals in order to help them
secure jobs without bias and prosper without major forms of living assistance.

I will use this journals emotional stories to influence the audience's perspective on the results of
using medical marijuana. This article argues that there is sufficient medical research to prove
effectiveness and I will include that note. I want to discuss the ways that employing disabled
individuals benefits our economy and reduces the need for major living assistance.

Vigil, Jacob M., et al. “Associations between Medical Cannabis and Prescription Opioid Use in

Chronic Pain Patients: A Preliminary Cohort Study.” PLoS ONE, vol. 12, no. 11, Nov.

2017, pp. 1–13. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0187795.

The authors’ purpose of this article is to obtain information proving or disproving the idea that
marijuana use and opioid prescription use have an inverse correlation. The study compared thirty
seven opioid users enrolled in the New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program (MPC) to 29 opioid
users who were not part of the MCP. The results conclude that there is significant evidence to
prove that MCP enrollment and opioid cessation have a positive correlation. The conclusion also
notes that MCP patients reported an improvement on overall quality of life.

I will use this article to briefly note the opioid epidemic that spreads across America. The
epidemic has many negative effects on society and encourages illegal activity and addiction. I
will use the statistics of this article to prove that the use of medical marijuana has helped many
decrease their use of opioids. I will also note that test subjects reported an increase on their
quality of life. This will correlate to the workplace because cannabis has much fewer side effects
than opioids and would allow more patients to be successful in the workplace.
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Fiz, Jimena, et al. "Cannabis Use in Patients with Fibromyalgia: Effect on Symptoms Relief and

Health-Related Quality of Life." PLoS ONE, vol. 6, no. 4, 2011, p. e18440. Opposing

Viewpoints in Context,

https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A476893827/OVIC?u=onlinelibrary&sid=OVIC&xi

d=c45be4ce. Accessed 6 Nov. 2018.

In this scholarly article, the authors’ goal is to study the effects of cannabis on fibromyalgia
patients and determine if cannabis use results in symptom relief. The study is taken using 28
cannabis users and 28 non-cannabis users. Their collected data states that 81% of users reported
strong relief from sleeping disorders and 14% of users reported strong relief from headaches.
The study confirms the benefits of cannabis in fibromyalgia patients.

This scholarly article provides evidence proving the effectiveness of cannabis which will support
my claim. I will talk about how relief from the symptoms that were recorded would improve
working conditions. For example, reduced sleeping disorders and headaches will allow patients a
heightened ability to think clearly and manage time efficiently.

Eckstein, Angela, et al. “Personal Characteristics of Vocational Rehabilitation Applicants:

Findings from the Survey of Disability and Employment.” Journal of Vocational

Rehabilitation, vol. 46, no. 2, Mar. 2017, pp. 177–185. EBSCOhost,

doi:10.3233/JVR-160853.

The goal of this article is to obtain a better understanding of why employment of disabled
individuals remains low and provide insights. The study was conducted using a survey of 2,804
vocational rehabilitation applicants. The results of the survey say that applicants reported
difficulty finding jobs, lack of skill, and problems resulting from the randomness of severe pain
and lack of energy. Applicants believed in the importance of their own employment. The study
recommends that counselors and policy makers strive to better understand the needs of disabled
individuals.

I will use the topics in this article to show that many of the named problems arising could be
treated by medical marijuana. Specifically, I will break down the problems arising from
randomness of severe pain and lack of energy. I will discuss the applicants optimism and how it
should affect the way employers see these employees.

Elliot, Denise. “Medical Marijuana and Its Impact on the Workplace.” The Legal Intelligencer.

Law.com, 27 May. 2018. Web. 14 Nov. 2018.

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Elliot begins the article by explaining the way that marijuana, regardless of what it is used for, is
treated in terms of the law. She clarifies that the Department of Transportation (DOT) does not
accept a prescription as a legalizer, and that The Americans Disability Act does not protect
patients using marijuana because it is a federal law (and marijuana use is a state law). She lastly
provides a list of factors for companies to consider when determining their own policies,
including overall temperament of company for usage.

This article will be important to compare where the ADA is at to where it should be. I would like
to discuss the concept of inclusivity and fair treatment for successfully treated individuals I will
connect it to my discussion of employee determination to at a minimal level encourage
individual companies to revise their policies. I will not advise that all companies should have the
same policies due to differing job requirements and skills needed for success.

Sharam, Steve. “Cannabis Helps Increase Productivity. No, Seriously.” Civilized. Civilized, 19

May 2018. Web. 14 Nov 2018.

This article focuses on a specific testimony of a man named Michael. Michael was deployed as a
soldier in Afghanistan multiple times and now suffers from PTSD. Michael claims that cannabis
has alleviated many of his symptoms that traditional medications have not been able to. He trusts
in cannabis because it has been around for thousands of years without resulting in major side
effects; this is unlike modern medications which have not been proven safe in the long run.
Michael encourages others who suffer from less severe illnesses such as anxiety to try it out for
themselves as well. He mentions at the end that cannabis has improved his reflexes and increased
his ability to maintain focus.

This article will be used to influence the audience using the concept of patriotism and respect for
veterans. I will state that they deserve fair opportunities post-deployment. I will also use
Michaels note concerning a heightened performance ability and heightened focus. These
qualities will benefit employees and in turn benefit the company.