Pubdate: Fri, 06 Jun 2014
Source: New York Times (NY)
Copyright: 2014 The New York Times Company
Contact: http://www.nytimes.com/ref/membercenter/help/lettertoeditor.html
Website: http://www.nytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298
Author: Derek Rosenfeld
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n489/a04.html

A SCARY EXPERIENCE WITH EDIBLE MARIJUANA

To the Editor:

Thanks to Maureen Dowd for her column about her experience with 
edible marijuana in Colorado. The frightening experience that Ms. 
Dowd endured is worthy of discussion regarding novice and non-regular 
users, but marijuana legalization is not the cause.

It's not clear whether she consumed the edible marijuana alone, but 
that would not be a good idea when trying any psychoactive substance 
for the first time. She also considered drinking alcohol after eating 
it - something that would intensify even a regular user's experience, 
and is not recommended.

There is more that can be done to get accurate information into the 
hands of consumers - better content labeling or selling edibles with 
more prominent safety information. Many participants in this new 
industry are calling for just these steps.

While state regulators work to improve implementation of Colorado's 
law, experience is most often our best teacher, and consumer 
responsibility will always be most important.

Consumers should ask what experiences are common and start with very 
small quantities. You can always take more, but you can't take back 
what you've already consumed.

DEREK ROSENFELD

Internet Communications Coordinator

Drug Policy Alliance

New York, June 4, 2014
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom