The marijuana industry and the organizations they sponsor continue providing only the positive view of marijuana by using the same medical studies to convince the voters that marijuana is safe as a recreational drug. This is just simply not true! There are many studies that have been, and are being conducted to prove marijuana has some very serious, destructive, damaging effects on users, especially our youth. It’s time to separate the two uses, medical and recreational, of marijuana because they have drastically different intended purposes and results.
Our youth need to know how much marijuana is a risk to their future. There have been several long-term studies that prove continual marijuana use by adolescents will reduce their IQ between 8 and 10 points. This means that those with an average IQ would drop to the lower third levels of intelligence. The risk of their future potential is staggering if they become addicted to marijuana. Yes, marijuana addiction is real and there have been several studies by prestigious universities such as Harvard Medical School and Northwestern University declaring chronic marijuana use meets all the standards of drug addiction. Research also shows a link between marijuana use and mental health problems — depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, short-term psychosis and schizophrenia.
Washington’s and Colorado’s legalization of marijuana has been called “The Great Experiment” because at the time of the election there wasn’t enough data to prove either side’s case. The Great Experiment continues but it’s time to realize what we’ve done — we’ve offered up our youth and their future as the subjects!
Mark Staab
Bothell
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
