Para 1: SC brought issue of medical marijuana. HC voted against state laws that permit usage for medical context. Since Federal narcotics law ban usage other than research, the state laws become invalid
Para 2: Position of federal narcotics law... there is no medical condition not served by legal medication , it will increase drug usage and crimes and usage will lead to higher forms of drug usages
Para 3: Proponent of Marijuana usage: Federal arguments inaccurate and exaggerated. No evidence of drug addiction/crime. Medical benefits of marijuana is enumerated.
Main point: Author discusses both federal law and proponents side on marijuana usage against backdrop of SC /HC voting against state laws permitting usage.
1. According to the passage, people who suffer from glaucoma are most likely to seek prescriptions for marijuana for which of the following reasons?
"Marijuana is also known to reduce intraocular pressure, a condition that causes pain and even blindness in glaucoma sufferers."
A. Marijuana has been shown to reduce nausea and vomiting.
--Reduction in nausea and vomiting is not the reason one will seek prescriptions
B. A controversial 2000 study suggested that THC, the active chemical in marijuana, can slow or stop the growth of certain types of tumors.
-- It is on the positive side but does not warrant people suffering from glaucoma to seek prescriptions for marijuana
C. Late-stage AIDS patients have reported that marijuana is one of the few treatments that can slow or reverse the wasting that often accompanies the disease.
-- It talks about benefits but does not warrant people suffering from glaucoma to seek prescriptions
D. Use of marijuana has been shown to reduce intraocular pressure.
--This is what marijuana does in glaucoma sufferers and hence people suffering from glaucoma will seek prescriptions
This is the answer
E. Use of marijuana can induce a sense of euphoria that helps glaucoma patients feel less anxious about their condition.
-- This is not discussed on sense of euphoria or less anxious and hence outside of scope
2. The passage is primarily concerned with which of the following?
Main point: Author discusses both federal law and proponents side on marijuana usage against backdrop of SC /HC voting against state laws permitting medicinal usage.
A. The medical benefits of marijuana.
-- Passage main point is to discuss around medical benefits
B. The debate over the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes.
-- It captures debate of legalization of marjiuana by federal law and proponents against HC voting against state laws
This is the answer
C. The debate over whether or not federal narcotics law overrides contradictory state laws.
-- Author primary purpose is not to debate over whether federal narcotics law overrides contradictory state laws. It does not take any sides rather presents their views against SC/HC voting against statelaws permitting medicinal usage
D. The question of whether or not the legalization of marijuana increases rates of drug addiction and drug-related crimes.
-- Main point is not to discuss whether the legalization of marijuana increases durg addiction or crime rates.
E. A conflict over what types of medical conditions warrant the use of medical marijuana.
-- Main point is not to discuss conflict over what kind of medical condition warrant marijuana usage
3. It can be inferred from the information given in the passage that opponents of marijuana legalization would be likely to agree with which of the following statements?
Para 2: "They further argue that any law that legalizes the use of marijuana, even in a limited way, will lead to increased rates of drug addiction and drug-related crime"
A. Even a strict system of regulation over production and distribution of medical marijuana cannot reliably prevent the misuse of the drug.
-- It captures the essence in Para 2 presented above
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B. The decision of which medicine to use for a given medical condition is a matter best left between a patient and his or her doctor.
-- This is not what opponents will agree, they do not want it to be legalized and best left for interaction between doctor and patient
C. Matters of narcotics regulation and enforcement are best addressed at the state level.
-- There is nothing that suggests that matters of narcotics regulation are best addressed at state level else HC/SC may not have come into picture
D. The use of marijuana provides no actual medical benefits for patients.
-- Opponents do not say marijuana provides no actual medical benefits . It says there are valid legal medications that can do the work and hence do not legalize marijuana
E. It is acceptable to legalize the possession of marijuana as long as the production and sale of the drug are still illegal.
-- Opponents agree for possession only for research not for just possession as long as production and sale are illegal. Possession could mean consumption as what will one do if one possesses. So it does not capture opponent's view.
4. Which of the following research results, if produced by a study conducted in a properly scientific manner, would offer the most support for proponents of the legalization of medical marijuana?
Strengthen - proponents of legalization of mediacl marijuana if produced by a study in a properly scientific manner
A. In a study of 150 occasional marijuana users, 65 percent reported a significant increase in appetite while under the influence of the drug.
-- It will not support as opponents may say alternate legal medication can help achieve the same
B. Scientists have concluded that the long-term use of marijuana may significantly increase the levels of estrogen, the primary female sex hormone, in male users.
-- It will not support as opponents may say alternate legal medication can help achieve the same
C. In a study of 1,000 felons convicted of drug-related offenses, 42 percent reported that marijuana was the first illegal drug they had used.
-- This is a high percentage and weakens support
D. Historians have concluded that plants containing cannabinoid compounds, the active ingredients in marijuana, have been used as a part of traditional medicine in China for over 2,000 years.
-- Again traditional medicine is being discussed and do not say that it is a legal medication or not.
E. In a study of 114 cancer patients who had experienced little or no relief with at least three prescription anti-nausea drugs, 56 reported significant relief of their symptoms after using marijuana.[/box_in][/box_out][/align]
-- If the study proves it that even after legal medication with no relief , people reported significant relief, it bolsters proponents view.
This is the answer