Pubdate: Mon, 21 Mar 2016
Source: Reno Gazette-Journal (NV)
Copyright: 2016 Reno Gazette-Journal
Contact: http://www.rgj.com/letters
Website: http://www.rgj.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/363
Author: Richard Stone

MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION LEADS TO TEEN USE

While Nevada looks to the prospect of legalizing recreational 
marijuana, the state is also gazing into a future that puts its 
teenage population at risk for higher drug use and high school 
dropout rates if what's happened in Colorado and Washington are any 
indication of what's destined to occur in the Silver State.

According to statistics in those states, the legalization of 
recreational marijuana resulted in a significant increase in teen 
marijuana use - Colorado rose to 18.9 percent and Washington is at 
17.5 percent. The 2013 Nevada Kids Count data indicate nearly one in 
five Nevada youth ages 12 to 25 already smokes marijuana one or more 
times a month.

Setting aside statistical data, it's the detrimental results of such 
drug use that matters. Research shows that youth who use marijuana 
think more slowly, process less information and perform more poorly 
on educational tests.

Legalizing recreational marijuana will result in harmful consequences 
for our kids, families and state.

Richard Stone, Sparks
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