Male and Female University Students Attitudes toward Cannabis Use - Research Proposal Example

Research proposal using qualitative methodology to further explore male and female university students attitudes toward cannabis use Abstract The research proposal aims at building a research proposal for studying the attitude of male and female university students studying in first year towards the use of cannabis. The aim is to identify if the youth is aware of the harms of cannabis usage and if they are aware of the debate on the decriminalizing of cannabis use undergoing. The research will further identify the trends amongst smokers or non-smokers smoking or using cannabis. The study will also find if the youth is in favor of decriminalizing cannabis or against it. Using the non-probability sampling technique the students will be chosen for the research and based on the questionnaire technique, the results will finally be assessed. Proposal This research proposal is in a bid to assume research in the field of the attitudes of male and female university students towards cannabis usage. In the proposed research, we will also be examining the harms being caused by the use of cannabis to the health of the people and society as a whole, even as we try and devise strategies that could prevent the harm caused. While there is a lot of literature present on the already ongoing debate on the decriminalizing of cannabis use in Australia, we will be further researching on the issue of cannabis use amongst the age group 18 to 25 years olds and study about their respective attitudes towards the debate. Keeping this in mind, here’s a little background on the debate on the (de)criminalization of cannabis in Australia. Background on the debate The use of cannabis amongst the Australian youth has increased steadily over the years, even as it began in the early 70’s when cannabis first became available to the Australian youth. It has been estimated that almost 50% of the youths within our age reference had consumed or tried cannabis in the year 2000 (Darke et al., 2000). Despite the regulatory and criminal laws running making the possession or consumption of cannabis an offensive crime, the increase usage of cannabis is only witness to how the black-market has been thriving in Australia, even as the policy keepers and police themselves are working behind the scenes of selling cannabis. Now the debate runs that with the huge number of youths in Australia using cannabis, the persistence of the law makes no sense. Further on, the policy makers are of the view that decriminalizing cannabis, where the possession will still be declared as crime under civil law, will also help regulate the drug that is currently being sold unregulated in terms of medical health. Even as both the sides of argument place their own factions in favor of their stand, mentioned below are the arguments presented. In favor of decriminalization of cannabis Some advocates such as Alex Wodak (2008) are of the view that at present cannabis is being sold in black-markets unregulated and without any health standards. He further goes on to say that decriminalizing cannabis would mean that cannabis users gain proper medical attention when required, unlike the present cases where the cannabis users deflect from medical attention due to the corresponding legal laws and criminalization. He further says that taxing cannabis and giving age limitations will help limit the harms of cannabis, even as the consumer quality control can be maintained as a result of regulation of cannabis market. According to Wodak, regulation of cannabis sale will also help regulate the cultivation and sale of the drug. Wodak and Cooney (2004) stated that the costs for control of cannabis were extremely high in the state. If Australia was to decriminalize cannabis, even as taking the taxes and regulation of production and sale into its own hands, the costs of regulation would reduce considerably. Wodak cites further that it is not to limit the number of users of cannabis but to limit the health hazards that the users suffer from due to unhealthy quality that one should try to achieve. He says that research has proven that strict regulation and laws concerning cannabis in Australia have not affected the number of cannabis users in any way. A report published in 2002 stated that most participants in the report thought that despite the law, cannabis was amongst the most easily available drugs in all eight states (Breen et al, 2002). The number of users has steadily increased, even as it will go on increasing if nothing is done with regards to the decriminalizing of the drug. Against the decriminalizing of Cannabis Most of the researchers are of the view that decriminalizing of cannabis will further increase the number of cannabis users. Those against the policy cite several reasons for the same, such as health concerns. Even though the adverse health effects by cannabis are not as severe as posed by other drugs such as heroin and cocaine, cannabis is related to symptoms of heart problems, anxiety, blood pressure etc. Cannabis is also known to make the problem of psychosis more prominent, even a sit might also trigger psychosis setting in the body. Apart from this, the research has proved that most accidents – auto or machinery – occur due to the drivers being high on cannabis (Hall, 2000). The reason for the same is that intoxication with cannabis results in various factors within the body such as slow reaction and information processing time. Cannabis is also known to impair the perceptual-motor coordination and performance, short term memory, attention and the likes of it. Societal behavior studies conducted amongst youths consuming cannabis also show that such people are often the ones, who were higher at risk to leave school owing to poor grades, indulging in early sexual activities, bear children at young age, suffer from unemployment, run away or leave their homes at a very early age and so on. According to the Epidemiologic Catchement Area study, it was found that addiction to cannabis was the most common addiction in the society (Anthony and HeIzer, 1991). Another research study conducted by Hall et al (1999) also proved that almost 2% adults become cannabis addict every year. Research Question As mentioned in the proposal above, the research question or the main objective of the study to be undertaken would be to identify the attitudes of male and female university students towards cannabis use. We will further be identifying the relationship between the attitudes, gender and tobacco use. The research will also establish if the students are aware of the harms of cannabis, while seeking their opinion on the ongoing debate, that is, decriminalizing of cannabis for medicinal purposes. Research Design In order to undertake the research, we will be examining the population of the first year students at the university aged within the range of 18 and 25 years. The research includes a non-probability technique for sampling of the participants for the research, even as the research will be based on surveys conducted by making use of questionnaires. Mentioned below is the complete research design for the research under question. Setting participants In order to identify the subjects of our research, we will be using non-probability sampling. In this sampling, students attending the first week of orientation will be randomly selected by us for the study. Explaining non-probability sampling, as rightly said by Trochim (2006), means not selecting the participating audience randomly. In this case, we have specifically mentioned researching on the first years only who are attending the orientation. Therefore, we have narrowed our research instead of randomly seeking the opinion of all. Now, non-probability sampling is also of two types: purposive and accidental. In our case, we will be employing the use of purposive sampling as we are specifically looking over an age group of 18 and 25 year olds. Then again, since our research question specifically mentions the relationship between attitudes, gender and tobacco use, we will have to divide the sampling further based on quotas. Depending upon the number of students willing to participate, we will be dividing them equally into two based on their gender. Then again, we will have to ensure that we get an equal number of smokers and non-smokers for the best and accurate results for the research. Methods and procedures The students chosen and interested in participating in the research study will be provided with questionnaires, information letters and reply-paid envelops (Robinson, 2006). The questionnaire provided for the survey will be divided into three categories: 1) Standardized introduction 2) Demographic questions (Example- Age, Gender, qualification, Smoker or non-smoker etc) 3) Attitudinal questions (Opinion on harms of cannabis use, should it be decriminalized, increase usage after decriminalized etc) The students will be required to fill these questionnaires and mail it to us back through the reply paid post. Even as the method of conducting the research has been explained, the research would first require getting an ethical approval from the CQ University Australia Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). Ethical implications For every research conducted, there are certain ethical issues or implications that are attached to the same. In this section, we will be discussing certain ethical implications attached to the research on cannabis use amongst university students and their opinions on the legalization of cannabis for medicinal purposes. Some of the ethical implications and issues associated with this research are: - Lack of correct information supplied by the participating students may result in an inaccurate finding misleading all. - With the outlook gained from the youth of the society, it will be easier for the policy makers to come to a decision with regards of decriminalizing cannabis. Depending upon the results achieved, it will be evident what the youth thinks of the debate and where he/she stands. - The research will also help find if the policy makers are in need to establish awareness amongst the youth with regards to the harms of cannabis usage. - It will be established if the trends of usage of cannabis are directly proportional to the use of tobacco. If yes, the policy makers can take a step ahead and make policies in the wake of this finding. References: Breen C, Degenhardt L, Roxburgh M et al (2003). Australian drug trends 2002: Findings of the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS). National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, , Wodak, A. and Coonie, A. (2004). Should cannabis be taxed and regulated?. Drug and Alcohol Review , 23, 139-141. Hall, W. and Room, R. (2008). Obstacles to a Regulated Cannabis Market. Can J Psychiatry , 53(12), 798 Hall, W. (2000). The cannabis policy debate: finding a way forward . Canadian Medical Association Journal, 162(12), Wodak, A. (2008). Cannabis debate in Australia. UNGASS, , Anthony, J.C., HeIzer, J.E (1991). Syndromes of drug abuse and dependence. , , Hall, W., Teesson, M., Lynskey, M., Degenhardt, L. (1999). The prevalence in the past year of substance use and ICD 10 substance use disorders in Australian adults: Findings from the National Survey of Mental Health and Well being. Addiction , 94, 1541-1550. Darke, S., Ross, J., Hando, J., Hall, W., Degenhardt, L. (2000). Illicit Drug Use in Australia: Epidemiology, Use Patterns and Associated Harm. Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care, , Hall, W. (2000). Reducing the harms caused by cannabis use: the policy debate in Australia. Drug and Alcohol Dependence , 62, 163-174. Trochim, W.M.K. (2006). Nonprobability Sampling. Research Methods Knowledge Base, , Extracted from: http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/sampnon.htm Robinson, W.C. (2006). Research Methods. 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In favor of decriminalization of cannabis Some advocates such as Alex Wodak (2008) are of the view that at present cannabis is being sold in black-markets unregulated and without any health standards. He further goes on to say that decriminalizing cannabis would mean that cannabis users gain proper medical attention when required, unlike the present cases where the cannabis users deflect from medical attention due to the corresponding legal laws and criminalization. He further says that taxing cannabis and giving age limitations will help limit the harms of cannabis, even as the consumer quality control can be maintained as a result of regulation of cannabis market.

According to Wodak, regulation of cannabis sale will also help regulate the cultivation and sale of the drug. Wodak and Cooney (2004) stated that the costs for control of cannabis were extremely high in the state. If Australia was to decriminalize cannabis, even as taking the taxes and regulation of production and sale into its own hands, the costs of regulation would reduce considerably. Wodak cites further that it is not to limit the number of users of cannabis but to limit the health hazards that the users suffer from due to unhealthy quality that one should try to achieve.

He says that research has proven that strict regulation and laws concerning cannabis in Australia have not affected the number of cannabis users in any way. A report published in 2002 stated that most participants in the report thought that despite the law, cannabis was amongst the most easily available drugs in all eight states (Breen et al, 2002). The number of users has steadily increased, even as it will go on increasing if nothing is done with regards to the decriminalizing of the drug. Against the decriminalizing of Cannabis Most of the researchers are of the view that decriminalizing of cannabis will further increase the number of cannabis users.

Those against the policy cite several reasons for the same, such as health concerns. Even though the adverse health effects by cannabis are not as severe as posed by other drugs such as heroin and cocaine, cannabis is related to symptoms of heart problems, anxiety, blood pressure etc. Cannabis is also known to make the problem of psychosis more prominent, even a sit might also trigger psychosis setting in the body. Apart from this, the research has proved that most accidents – auto or machinery – occur due to the drivers being high on cannabis (Hall, 2000).

The reason for the same is that intoxication with cannabis results in various factors within the body such as slow reaction and information processing time. Cannabis is also known to impair the perceptual-motor coordination and performance, short term memory, attention and the likes of it. Societal behavior studies conducted amongst youths consuming cannabis also show that such people are often the ones, who were higher at risk to leave school owing to poor grades, indulging in early sexual activities, bear children at young age, suffer from unemployment, run away or leave their homes at a very early age and so on.

According to the Epidemiologic Catchement Area study, it was found that addiction to cannabis was the most common addiction in the society (Anthony and HeIzer, 1991). Another research study conducted by Hall et al (1999) also proved that almost 2% adults become cannabis addict every year. Research Question As mentioned in the proposal above, the research question or the main objective of the study to be undertaken would be to identify the attitudes of male and female university students towards cannabis use.

We will further be identifying the relationship between the attitudes, gender and tobacco use. The research will also establish if the students are aware of the harms of cannabis, while seeking their opinion on the ongoing debate, that is, decriminalizing of cannabis for medicinal purposes. Research Design In order to undertake the research, we will be examining the population of the first year students at the university aged within the range of 18 and 25 years.

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