Question 1

Washington, DC, has legalized personal use of marijuana but not its commercial sale.

Accepted Answer

In Washington, DC, it is legal to possess up to two ounces of marijuana for personal use, but it is not legal to sell marijuana commercially. However, individuals are allowed to give small amounts of marijuana as a gift or exchange it without payment.

Question 2

Which of the following countries is at the center of a phenomenon referred to as drug tourism?

Accepted Answer

The Netherlands is known for drug tourism due to its relaxed policies towards marijuana consumption and possession. Many tourists come to the country specifically to visit "coffee shops" where they can legally purchase and consume marijuana.

Question 3

More than 700,000 people are arrested annually in connection with marijuana; of this number, the majority are arrested for:

Accepted Answer

According to statistics, the majority of people arrested for marijuana are arrested for possession, meaning they are caught with the drug without a license or authorization to possess it.

Question 4

Only a few blocks from Amsterdam's business district, cocaine and heroin dealers operate without fear of being arrested in an area referred to as:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Only a few blocks from Amsterdam's business...

Question 5

If United States authorities practiced the theory of harm reduction, which of the following scenarios would most likely represent this concept?

Accepted Answer

The scenario in which police set up a booth at a local country music concert to test heroin potency before users ingest it with no risk of arrest represents the concept of harm reduction. By providing information about the potency of the drug, users can make more informed decisions and potentially avoid overdoses or other health risks. Additionally, by not arresting users, the police are removing the fear of legal consequences and thereby encouraging users to seek help if they need it in the future. The other scenarios either focus on enforcement and punishment (A) or ignore the negative effects of drugs altogether (B and D).

Question 6

According to the text, in the Netherlands, which of the following is not considered a hard drug?

Accepted Answer

According to the text, hashish is not considered a hard drug in the Netherlands, but heroin, cocaine, and opium are.

Question 7

According to the text, which best describes the attitude of Dutch citizens toward drug usage in Amsterdam?

Accepted Answer

The text states that "drugs are tolerated, though not all are legal." This shows that the attitude toward drug usage in Amsterdam is one of tolerance, but not necessarily complete legality.

Question 8

In 1975, _________ gave individuals the right to possess small amounts of marijuana as long as the possession and use did not infringe upon the rights of others.

Accepted Answer

Ravin v. State was a landmark case in Alaska which established the constitutional right to privacy and extended individual rights to include the possession of small amounts of marijuana in the privacy of one's own home. This decision essentially decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana in Alaska.

Question 9

According to the text, one side effect of the Amsterdam project is the emergence of droves of:

Accepted Answer

The text states that the Amsterdam project resulted in the emergence of both pornography shops and houses of prostitution as a side effect.

Question 10

In the United States, districts exist where evidence of the close links between the sex and drug industries is apparent; which of the following is NOT one of the areas noted in the text?

Accepted Answer

Baltimore's Western District is not noted in the text as an area where the close links between the sex and drug industries are apparent.

Question 11

In the early to mid-1900s, the "British System" dealt with the drug problem in that country by:

Accepted Answer

The "British System" maintained opiate addicts by giving medical prescriptions for drugs, known as the "British system of drug maintenance." This approach was considered more humane than criminalizing drug addiction and provided some level of control over the distribution of potentially dangerous drugs.

Question 12

Similar to the United States' Harrison Narcotic Act, this British law prohibited possession of opiates or cocaine except with a lawful prescription.

Accepted Answer

The Dangerous Drugs Act, passed in 1920, was the British law that prohibited possession of opiates or cocaine except with a lawful prescription, similar to the United States' Harrison Narcotic Act. The Controlled Substances Act and the Ferguson Act are both US laws, and the Tea Party Act does not exist.

Question 13

According to the text, the legalization of drugs would likely have three profound effects with regard to the black market. Which of the following is NOT one of these effects?

Accepted Answer

The text suggests that legalization would not completely eliminate the black market, especially if legal prices do not undercut illicit market prices.

Question 14

Which of the following countries do proponents of drug legalization look to as examples of how drug enforcement does not work because of rampant corruption?

Accepted Answer

Proponents of drug legalization look to all of these countries (Bahamas, Thailand, Chile) as examples of how drug enforcement does not work because of rampant corruption. The illegal drug trade has led to the corruption of law enforcement officials and government institutions, making it difficult to effectively enforce drug laws.

Question 15

Proponents of drug legalization argue that those crimes traditionally associated with drug dealing would be greatly reduced if the context of drug control were changed from a law enforcement model to a ________ model.

Accepted Answer

Proponents of drug legalization often argue that drug addiction should be treated as a medical issue rather than a criminal one. By adopting a medical model for drug control, individuals suffering from addiction would be treated with medical attention, rehabilitation, and harm reduction strategies instead of being punished by the criminal justice system. This approach is believed to reduce the associated crimes, like drug dealing, by targeting the root cause of the problem instead of solely relying on law enforcement.

Question 16

Many proponents of drug legalization state that the passage of this 1920 Act was responsible for the expansion of organized crime in the United States.

Accepted Answer

The Volstead Act, also known as the National Prohibition Act, was passed in 1920 and prohibited the production, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors in the United States. As a result, many people turned to illegal means to obtain alcohol, leading to an increase in organized crime. The other options listed do not directly relate to the prohibition of alcohol and its effects on organized crime.

Question 17

On November 6, 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first American states to legalize the recreational use of which drug under state law?

Accepted Answer

Colorado and Washington legalized the recreational use of cannabis (also known as marijuana) under state law on November 6, 2012.

Question 18

Which of the following is FALSE in regard to Colorado's legalization of marijuana?

Accepted Answer

In Colorado, the legal age for marijuana possession and use is 21 years old, not 18. The other statements are accurate regarding the state's marijuana laws.

Question 19

A policy by which, rather than punishing young people for experimenting, the government tries to supervise their drug use is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Harm reduction is a policy approach that aims to reduce the negative consequences of drug use without necessarily requiring abstinence. This can include measures such as providing clean needles to prevent the spread of infections, offering drug treatment services, and providing education and advice to people who use drugs. It also includes supervision of drug use to ensure that people are using in a safe and responsible way. Decriminalization involves removing criminal penalties for drug use or possession, whereas legalization involves making drugs legal for recreational use. Prohibition involves making drugs illegal and criminalizing drug use and/or possession.

Question 20

While some states have begun legalization procedures for marijuana, national polls still depict that over 70% of the nation does not support the legalization of marijuana for any purpose

Accepted Answer

National polls show that support for the legalization of marijuana for any purpose has grown over time and is now just over 60%.

Quiz 12: Legalizing Marijuana: Americas Latest Social Experiment