Question

The legal landscape is perpetually changing. Psychologists must remain abreast of these changes to avoid potentially damaging issues to individuals and careers. In this assignment, you will consider the current federal and state legal APA sanctions that lead to state sanctions for legal and/or ethical violations in the practice of psychology and psychological research and their influence on psychology ethics.

A detailed explanation of the issue.

A discussion of how the issue influences psychology ethics from an objective (scholarly) perspective.

A discussion of how the issue influences psychology ethics from a subjective (personal) perspective.

A discussion of how, if at all, the issue is influenced by current psychology ethics.

Answer 1

Psychologists seek to safeguard and do no harm and take care of the welfare and rights of those with whom they interact professionally. APA ethical code is established with an intention to provide guidance to psychologists; these codes are not the ground for any civil liability. The Ethical standards are enforced so that psychologists will practice under these standards for the benefit of the clients, students and other individuals working with him, any deviation from following the norms may result in termination or cancellation of license or membership, These standards are established to avoid sexual harassment, unfair practice as these things influence the mental health of the society. The psychologist has to cultivate professional and scientific environment as they are bound to the community there is large responsibility for them.

The APA statement regarding marijuana says that there is no current scientific evidence that marijuana is in any way beneficial for the treatment of any psychiatric disorder. Thus it is listed under schedule I drug. Schedule I drug as defined by the federal government of the US is the drugs that have no medicinal values and is dangerous to health.

With the previous government of the US, it has the relaxed rule like letting states to do as they wish as long as it does not fall into the hands of children or should cross the state line, whatever the law of the state it is still misdemeanor at the federal level. There is a heavy penalty for possessing marijuana. or it attracts a heavy penalty if sold to a third person,

22 states and the District of Columbia have legalized the medicinal use of marijuana for that purpose license is required.

Current ethics says that as marijuana is listed under schedule I drug the research to find out its medicinal properties are restricted.

From the subjective perspective we can see less research is done on marijuana, thus its medicinal properties are still not evident. On the other hand, it is seen out of 120 components, it is known that one of its component CBD (cannabinoids) is useful for relieving severe pain, THC is the key mind-altering it acts on specific brain receptors. Excessive use of it results in depression the mood change and induces suicidal tendencies. It reacts on a sense of smell, hearing, and eyesight; It produces respiratory disorder triggering a heart attack.

The research studies have shown that there is an increased use of Marijuana in teens from 12 to 19 years of age. As it affects the respiratory system, brain, it converts into an addiction. Marijuana can be smoked like a cigarette, brew it, or use as Brownie

The harmful effect of marijuana is much more than its medicinal properties. The restriction is required for its use otherwise youth will get affected.

as per APA statements says that policy regarding drug and its derivatives should not be changed unless its medicinal properties are established,

The one more point the psychologists and researchers point out is that alcohol and tobacco both do not possess many medicinal values, and a person can become an addiction to it then too these are legalized. On the same line of legality, it is argued to reschedule Marijuana.

All these substances like alcohol tobacco and marijuana are addictive. It used in large amount it will be fatal. If certain drugs which produce the harmful effect on the human mind and make them dependent. Although it has some medicinal properties, it has to be restricted. The scientist should be given the privilege to use it for research purpose and not for use.