Hot Topic Discussion Reflection

In my Pharmacy Advocacy class last Wednesday, we discussed a very hot topic in pharmacy – medical marijuana and what role Ohio pharmacists should play in the development and possible implementation of legislation around this issue. The discussion activity was lively and interesting, and it helped me to better explain my own opinions around this issue and the reasons for or against pharmacy’s role in its future. This activity also gave me an appreciation for the value of listening to the viewpoints of my peers and mentors when trying to develop my own personal position on any issue, not just medical marijuana. By listening to the insights of those around me, I was challenged to think about the issue from many different angles. This helped me to deepen my own understanding of the issue and gave me a greater sense of the complexities that surround the development of legislation.

In my past experiences of hot topic discussions, people usually align with one side of an issue and then never really budge from that point of view – no matter how weak or strong their opponents’ arguments. While this method of “discussion” can help you to make your opinion on an issue more public, it also weakens your ability to effectively defend your viewpoint in the face of controversy. However, the ability to engage with, and understand, multiple viewpoints surrounding an issue better equips you to face challenges in the future. Looking at an issue from every side can help you to see the strengths and limitations of your argument ahead of time, giving you the opportunity to respond to the weaknesses of your argument more thoughtfully and effectively. This type of open-forum group discussion also helps to power the conversation forward by raising new concerns or thoughts that the group can then address together, perhaps reaching a better resolution more quickly.

I really enjoyed this activity because I got to hear from so many different people on what originally seemed like a fairly straight-forward issue. I feel much better equipped to engage in discussion of this topic in the future, and I truly feel that I have a deeper understanding for the issue overall. I would definitely recommend this activity for students in future years.