Pubdate: Fri, 25 Sep 2015
Source: Baltimore Sun (MD)
Copyright: 2015 The Baltimore Sun Company
Contact:  http://www.baltimoresun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/37
Author: Stephanie Nickerson

MARIJUANA IS NOT HARMLESS

A word of caution for readers of Dan Rodricks' column 
("'Normalization' of marijuana doesn't necessarily mean wider use," 
Sept. 17). Continued vigilance in communicating and educating young 
people about the health effects of heavy marijuana use is critical. 
This is especially important since fewer adolescents now perceive 
marijuana as harmful. The University of Michigan's Monitoring the 
Future Study 2014 reports that just about one-third of high school 
seniors believe marijuana can be harmful to health, down from 52.4 percent.

Lower perception of risk may indicate higher usage in subsequent 
years. Indeed, the newest volume of this same study reports that 
daily or near-daily marijuana use by college students is at its 
highest rate since 1980.

Because their brains are not fully developed until around age 25, 
young people are at increased risk of abuse, dependence and serious 
health consequences. In fact, one in 11 users will become addicted, 
and that number increases to 25 to 50 percent with daily use, 
according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Heavy and 
continuous use of today's potent pot can lead to long-term memory 
loss, reduced IQ, schizophrenia, psychosis and depression.

Mr. Rodricks is correct: Marijuana is not harmless, especially for 
young people. Parents have a significant impact on their children's 
behavior and attitudes, including whether to use drugs. I encourage 
parents to learn the facts and talk with their children. Education is 
the key to making smart decisions.

Stephanie Nickerson, Falls Church, Va. The writer is executive 
director of the Marijuana Science Forum.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom