Pubdate: Thu, 16 Jan 2014
Source: Washington Post (DC)
Copyright: 2014 Samuel T. Wilkinson
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/mUgeOPdZ
Website: http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/491
Author: Samuel T. Wilkinson
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n039/a05.html

THE CLOUDED MARIJUANA DEBATE

Steve Fox's Jan. 12 Outlook commentary, "Why the NFL should let
players inhale," implied that marijuana is not addictive and carries
no long-term harm. Research shows that about one in 10 adult marijuana
users, and closer to one in six teenagers, will become addicted.

Mr. Fox also suggested that marijuana is a safe alternative to opioid
painkillers. In reality, the best studies show that marijuana is
effective only for a specific type of pain (neuropathic), which
opioids do not treat well. Further, non-addictive medications that are
superior to marijuana in treating neuropathic pain are available.

Perhaps most misleading, Mr. Fox implied that marijuana protects brain
function and should therefore be freely available to pro football
players who sustain head trauma. A recent 38-year study documented a
decrease in chronic cannabis users' IQ.

If the NFL lifts its ban on marijuana, it should not do so because of
its purportedly non-addicting, pain-controlling and neuroprotective
effects.

Samuel T. Wilkinson, New Haven, Conn. 
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