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Marijuana is the most widely used illegal drug in the United
States. The use of cannabis for medical reasons is one of the
hottest topic in the news The legalization of any drug is a
debate that is driven very much by each individual's
personal feelings and experiences.
Questions to think about:
 Where did marijuana come from?
 What are the health effects?
 Is marijuana addictive?
 Is marijuana safe to use?
 Does marijuana have medicinal value?
Click here to learn
about marijuana’s
history!
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The resources listed below will provide you with more
information about Marijuana:
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National Institute of Drug Abuse Marijuana Facts
Drug Facts : Marijuana
Signs of Marijuana Abuse and Addiction
Why Legalize Drugs
Marijuana Helps with Pain – Opposing Viewpoints
Marijuana Can Increase Pain – Opposing Viewpoints
Legalizing Marijuana - PBS
Marijuana Is Dangerous and Should Not Be Legalized –
Opposing Viewpoints
Marijuana Has Dangers but Should Be Legalized –
Opposing Viewpoints
Medical Marijuana and Epilepsy
Image Source: www.coxandforkum.com
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Students will work in two groups: one group will research the
advantages of legalizing marijuana for medicinal use, and the
other will research the disadvantages.
After researching the class will debate the issue of legalizing
medicinal marijuana.
As part of the debate, each group will create a multimedia
presentation with the most pertinent aspects of their research.
Debate Team Roles:
Opening Presenters
Topic Presenters
Rebuttal Presenters
Multimedia Presenters
Closing Argument Presenters
Refer to the debate rubric to assure you including the necessary
information
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Image Source: www.clipart.com
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Now that the debate is over, respond to
the following prompt:
How have your views on medicinal
marijuana changed? What new
information have you learned? Cite
examples from your own research and
the information presented during the
debate.
Click here to respond!
Print your response or save it as directed by your
teacher.
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Watch an animation of how
marijuana effects the brain.
Create a poster using
Microsoft Publisher that
promotes your viewpoint.
Images Source: www.clipart.com by subscription
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Test your knowledge
on marijuana by
taking this online
quiz.
Work with a partner to
make a video using a
Flip Cam to support
your position.
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National Standard:
1.0 Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease
prevention to enhance health.
MSDE Grade 8 Health Standard:
2.0 Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs – Students will demonstrate the ability to use
drug knowledge, decision-making skills, and health-enhancing strategies to address the
non-use, use, and abuse of medications, alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
MSDE Indicator:
2.7.E.1. Explain the effects of marijuana use.
Common Core State Standards:
Reading: 1. Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical
inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support
conclusions drawn from the text.
Writing: 7. Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused
questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
Standards for the 21st Century Learner:
1.1.6 Read, view, and listen for information presented in any format (e.g. textual,
visual, media, digital) in order to make inferences and gather meaning.
2.1.3 Use strategies to draw conclusions from information and apply knowledge to
curricular areas, real-world situations, and further investigations.
Maryland Technology Literacy Standards for Students:
3.0: Use a variety of technologies for learning and collaboration.
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Time Frame: 1 to 2 class periods
Differentiation:
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Direct students to use comprehension tools included in
databases, such as: audio read-aloud, labeled reading
levels, and embedded dictionaries.
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Students can be assigned tasks within the research that
best enhances their abilities.
Learning Styles:
Field Dependant
Visual, Auditory/Verbal, Reflective, Global
Notes to the teacher:
 Make sure that there is lab time available for your class
and that there are headphones at each computer.
 If there are too many students who want to choose one
side over the other you may want to do a lottery so that each
side is equally represented.
 Remind students to save their assessment to the student
drive or print as you have access.
Last updated: July, 2015
Created by Rona Cross linked to rcross@bcps.org, Teacher
BCPS Slam Dunk Research Model, Copyright 2013, Baltimore County Public Schools, MD, all rights reserved. The models may be used for educational, non-profit school use only.
All other uses, transmissions, and duplications are prohibited unless permission is granted expressly. This lesson is based on Jamie McKenzie’s Slam Dunk Lesson module.