Pubdate: Tue, 08 Jul 2014
Source: Duluth News-Tribune (MN)
Copyright: 2014 Forum Communications Co.
Website: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/553

MOVE CAREFULLY WITH MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Minnesota's new medical marijuana law is intentionally and appropriately 

narrow. Those who truly need the beneficial compounds
in cannabis will be able to get it, not by smoking but by ingesting
pills or liquid, just like other medications. The law is written tightly 

enough to discourage the abuse and problems seen in other
states, especially those that have legalized marijuana for recreational
use.

That's because "disquieting new trends and statistics are proving
(marijuana's) unique dangers for those most vulnerable to its effects:
children," Dr. David Sack, an expert in addiction psychiatry,
especially among adolescents and young adults, wrote in a commentary
published last week by the Los Angeles Times.

"One such statistic is a spike in calls to poison control centers,"
Sack said. "According to the National Poison Data System, calls about
accidental ingestion of marijuana in children 9 and younger more than
tripled in states that decriminalized marijuana before 2005. In states
that enacted legalization from 2005 to 2011, calls increased nearly
11.5 percent per year."

Part of the problem is that in states where the recreational use of
marijuana is legal, marijuana-infused gummi candies, hard candies and
fudge are sold and then accidentally eaten at home by children. Plus,
as Sack pointed out, today's pot is a far cry from the pot of the
1960s- and 1970s-era hippie days. Today's pot can be up to three times
as potent.

"A University of Colorado study blamed the proliferation of these
drug-laced edibles, combined with relaxed marijuana laws, for a surge
in emergency room visits by children," Sack wrote. "Increased
legalization also means easier access for adolescents. In a study of
Colorado teens in substance-abuse treatment centers, for example, 74
percent said they had gotten marijuana from someone who qualified for
it medically."

That's what legalizing medical marijuana can lead to, though it's
unlikely under Minnesota's currently stringent law, which was
championed by Iron Range lawmaker Carly Melin. She listened and was
willing to change her legislation based on concerns such as these from
law enforcement and others.

Still, "Legalization may =C2=85 be encouraging more kids to consider tryi
ng
marijuana," Sack wrote. "In a recent study of thousands of high school
seniors, 10 percent of nonusers said they would try marijuana if the
drug were legal in their state. This included large subgroups of
students normally at low risk, including non-cigarette smokers, those
with strong religious affiliations and those with friends who
disapprove of drugs. And of the students already using marijuana?
Eighteen percent said they would use more under legalization.

"Whatever is intended by legalization, children seem to be hearing
this: Marijuana is no big deal."

But it is. Marijuana damages developing brains, Sack said. It is
linked to mental health problems. And it sets up kids for failure.

"We give children one overriding task: to learn. Introducing a
substance that slows reaction time, distorts judgment and interferes
with memory short-circuits that task," he wrote. "In addition, the
younger kids are when they try marijuana, the more likely they are to
become addicted (yes, marijuana can be addictive) and the more likely
they are to go on to use other drugs."

Nonetheless, almost certainly there will be a push this coming
legislative session, if not sooner, to loosen up Minnesota's rightly
tight medical marijuana law. There'll be pressure. And here's hoping
that when they feel it lawmakers keep in mind the many good reasons to
move slowly and carefully - or, perhaps better yet, not at all.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt