Another Observance of Media Negligence

As a student of the Integrated Studies program at Kennesaw State, with concentrations in Political Science and Geography, I see the utmost importance of geography in regards to politics. With that being said, this week I have found an article from "The Gazette" which has been "Serving Colorado Springs & the Pikes Peak region since 1872", pertaining to the use of medical Marijuana oil and its effects on children suffering from severe neurological disorders. The reason that I chose this article to discuss is because of the relevance of geography in correspondence with media coverage over the public stigma of the legalization of medical marijuana.

The process of creating oil that can be used to treat conditions in children involves a detailed and complex procedure to ensure the removal of any THC from the marijuana plant. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the main constituent in marijuana that induces a feeling of being "high" or under the influence by the consumer. The process includes soaking marijuana leaves in alcohol, which extracts cannabidiol oils from the leaves, the alcohol is then boiled leaving only the oils behind with the beneficial compounds. The public stigma stems from the use of marijuana as a medicinal resource over its common use as a recreational drug, while this stigma is valid by some definitions there are clearly other uses for the plant.

I find the geographic relevancy of this issue's coverage pretty profound. Every month or so we see new legislation passing all over the United States regarding otherwise controversial issues such as medical marijuana, or gay marriage as an example. Yet, in Georgia I honestly feel as though it will be a very long time before coverage of even the positive benefits of marijuana would ever be aired or put forth as public information.

Read more http://gazette.com/families-looking-to-cure-epileptic-children-find-first-dose-of-hope-with-special-colorado-marijuana-oil/article/1508731