5) Explore what you already know. Access Leading Issue summaries ("Topic Overview" or "At Issue" Pages) and Timeline (under Research Tools) from the SIRS Leading Issue you have chosen. In 3-5 sentences, summarize the background and historical information of the Leading Issue you selected. Include main controversies, key figures, important organizations, and key events.
Briefly list what you know about your topic already. Consider the following:


Surprising facts or statistics: It is legal in 2 states. 749,825 people were arrested for marijuana.Marijuana is the most common illicit drug used in the United States.



the extent of the problem: Marijuana is being used around the world every day by kids who are getting caught up in other drugs that can prevent a bigger harm then marijuana itself.


important people or institutions involved: Barack Obama.


key schools of thought: Marijuana being legal can help police take people off the streets that are really committing a crime.


common misconceptions: it is used by people who want to treat glaucoma.


observations you've made: long term marijuana use does not effect the brain negatively in the way that we need to use our brains on a daily basis.


major controversies: On whether or not marijuana should be legal or not.