Why Parents Need to Talk to Their Kids About Marijuana

Talking to our children about drugs is not always easy, but it is very important. Although it is best to talk about drugs when our children are young, it is never too late to talk about the dangers of drug use. This is especially true now that there is a strong push, funded by out-of-state sources, to legalize marijuana -- both outright and for purported "medical purposes." What are our children to think when they hear that marijuana is a medicine? Add this to their confusion about whether marijuana is legal or not, after it was decriminalized in 2008. Let's face it, our children have been recipients of some mixed messages.

As a former police officer I can tell you that it is absurd that a person under the age of 21 can be arrested for being in possession of any amount of any alcoholic beverage, while another person the same age can have up to one ounce (up to 120 joints) of marijuana in their possession for personal use, and all the officer can do is write this person a civil infraction for a $100 fine. And that person cannot be compelled to tell their true name or even pay that fine! Now it seems to me that this would send our young people a very clear message; I will not get into trouble with the cops if I have marijuana with me, but I may be arrested if I have a six-pack of beer. Which choice would you make? 

So that brings me back to my point, we need to educate ourselves and talk with our kids now. Here is some important information to begin educating ourselves. There is currently proposed legislation to fully legalize marijuana; proposed legislation to legalize "medical marijuana" and make it available through 19 state-sanctioned distribution centers; and efforts to pass a Statewide Ballot initiative legalizing "medical marijuana" and creating 35 state-sanctioned distribution centers. The ballot initiative will come before voters in November of 2012 if they obtain enough signatures on this petition. (It is expected that the proponents will have the signatures they need.)  Now that you know what's going on and how soon you will need to decide where you stand on this issue, allow me to point out some of the harm that this legislation may cause.

The short and long-term effects of using marijuana are well documented:

• Short-term effects include: cognitive dysfunction and impairment, increased risk of injuries, and drugged driving.
• Long-term effects include: impaired adolescent brain development, effects to the respiratory system, mental illness and addiction.

*Any efforts to increase and legalize the availability and use of marijuana will exacerbate the harms to our youth and communities.

States that have allowed the cultivation and sale of marijuana for "medicinal' purposes have experienced:

• Increased use of marijuana by youth ages 12-25 -- directly linked to increased availability
• Decreased "perceived harm" of marijuana use, leading to increased use by youth 12-18 years of age
• Increased drugged driving arrests
• Increased crime -- especially in states with state sanctioned distribution centers or dispensaries.

*Massachusetts already has youth rates of marijuana use at least 30 percent higher than the national rates, we don't need more kids smoking marijuana in our state.

Now, I have to say that the proponents of the legalization efforts make a strong argument by saying that "medical marijuana" is for compassionate care. But, studies consistently show that "medical marijuana" is not used by the sick and dying.

In California, for example, the average user is a 32-year-old white male with a history of alcohol, cocaine and meth use and no history of life-threatening illness. The majority of users of state-based medical marijuana programs DO NOT suffer from chronic, life-threatening illnesses like cancer, HIV, or glaucoma. Most self-report "pain" as the reason for their marijuana use. With all the FDA-approved pain medications available by prescription from your doctor, it amazes me that the proponents argue that they need marijuana for their pain control.

There is a cannabis based, FDA approved pain reliever, Marinol. A physician can prescribe this medication if the patient truly has a life-theatening illness. And there are other medications in testing, such as Sativex which is approved in Canada, the U.K. and other parts of Europe. What does the FDA say about marijuana? The FDA says that smoked marijuana is addictive and has no medical use. This is why you can't pick it up at our local CVS or Rite-Aid, and your doctor cannot prescribe it for you. To circumvent the FDA process to have "medical marijuana" approved is bad public health policy. There will be no control over the strength of the marijuana, or dosage amounts, or the ingredients that may be added to the finshed product. 

Ask your doctor where s/he stands on this issue. Talk with your kids about your views now before any more mixed messages reach them. Let them know what you think. You are their No. 1 source for information, and they are listening. And contact your legislative representatives. If we learned one thing from Prohibition it is that there can be no going back. Let's all be well informed on this issue so the real will of the voter prevails. 

If you want more information go to our website at WaylandCares.org. And if you are on Facebook, "Like" our Page so you get regular updates from WaylandCares on this and other substance abuse issues.