Here in Colorado, my beautiful adopted state, something occurred that was not so beautiful -- the voters legalized pot. The ramifications of this are surfacing every day.
How did this happen? Here in Colorado we have something called a ballot initiative, where anyone can place on the ballot a proposition as long as there are a required number of signatures. So one of the initiatives that was on the ballot was to legalize pot. I remember thinking, this will never pass, but it did. Why? Follow the money, always.
There are huge profits to be made from the growers, yes we also get taxes that go to the state--somewhere. And I am not objecting to medical marijuana which helps many with seizures and pain control, especially in cancer patients. My mother who died of pancreatic cancer and had intense nausea and pain would have been helped.
No, I am talking about recreational marijuana. Now it is being added to food and candy and the whole attitude is one of frivolity and being a kind of new food or wine. In Colorado, a few months ago, one of the catering companies offered catered dinner parties where selected foods would be served that complemented marijuana--but bring your own stash. Oh so chi, chi.
Unfortunately, the new strains of marijuana are up to five times stronger than what was available in the '60s. In Colorado the THC levels for recreational pot is 20% or higher. With these higher percentages, there are increased health risks. At least two deaths in Colorado are attributed to marijuana which was consumed in edible form. One man shot his wife after eating marijuana candy, and the other committed suicide after consuming cookies containing large amounts of marijuana.
The worst effect is that teenagers who become addicted consuming the "new" pot affect their IQ and cause irreversible damage to their brain. The brains of teenagers are still developing so this is a real risk; their adulthood will be seriously impaired as they become addicted.
But Americans do not see this as a public health menace which it is. There is so much misinformation and a disconnect between public opinion and science. In March a Wall Street Journal and NBC poll, Americans viewed sugar as more dangerous than marijuana.
When a society cares more about its pleasures than its children, we are in trouble.
Reference: Wall Street Journal, "Legal Pot is a Menace." August 14, 2014
How did this happen? Here in Colorado we have something called a ballot initiative, where anyone can place on the ballot a proposition as long as there are a required number of signatures. So one of the initiatives that was on the ballot was to legalize pot. I remember thinking, this will never pass, but it did. Why? Follow the money, always.
There are huge profits to be made from the growers, yes we also get taxes that go to the state--somewhere. And I am not objecting to medical marijuana which helps many with seizures and pain control, especially in cancer patients. My mother who died of pancreatic cancer and had intense nausea and pain would have been helped.
No, I am talking about recreational marijuana. Now it is being added to food and candy and the whole attitude is one of frivolity and being a kind of new food or wine. In Colorado, a few months ago, one of the catering companies offered catered dinner parties where selected foods would be served that complemented marijuana--but bring your own stash. Oh so chi, chi.
Unfortunately, the new strains of marijuana are up to five times stronger than what was available in the '60s. In Colorado the THC levels for recreational pot is 20% or higher. With these higher percentages, there are increased health risks. At least two deaths in Colorado are attributed to marijuana which was consumed in edible form. One man shot his wife after eating marijuana candy, and the other committed suicide after consuming cookies containing large amounts of marijuana.
The worst effect is that teenagers who become addicted consuming the "new" pot affect their IQ and cause irreversible damage to their brain. The brains of teenagers are still developing so this is a real risk; their adulthood will be seriously impaired as they become addicted.
But Americans do not see this as a public health menace which it is. There is so much misinformation and a disconnect between public opinion and science. In March a Wall Street Journal and NBC poll, Americans viewed sugar as more dangerous than marijuana.
When a society cares more about its pleasures than its children, we are in trouble.
Reference: Wall Street Journal, "Legal Pot is a Menace." August 14, 2014
What is the legal age for pot? I can't imagine that they would have passed this for all ages. When I was in school, there was still a "Reefer Madness" mentality towards pot, that is a very extreme "One puff will make you an addict, and marijuana will cause you TO KILL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY!" message. This lead us to try it and find it wasn't that bad. But then the reverse happened, and everyone I knew claimed it was completely harmless and that cigarettes should be outlawed. I feel the answer will be somewhere in between, and I'm really worried about companies turning it into a big business. Has there been any affect on incarcerations in CO since the law passed?
ReplyDeleteThe legal age is 21, but kids are getting it anyway. And. . .everyone in Colorado can grow 7 plants--who came up with that? My son is a teacher in a local high school and already there are techniques that the kids came up with so they can inhale it while in class and not be seen. I don't know if there more incarcerations, but there will be. The saddest is the woman with three boys whose husband shot her in the head--supposedly he ingested some pot three hours before.in candy. You cannot predict what can happen to everyone .
DeleteI endorse your sentiments wholeheartedly. I think it is a big mistake on the part of all States or Provinces to legalise marijuana. I have never tried it and I most emphatically never would. Through my life I have seen the results of using pot and would never take the risk.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Jo. I wish there were some way to rescind the law (is is called a law)? But the money interests are huge.
DeleteHI Nat - the whole 'drug' scene is dreadful .. and debilitating for so many .. especially as it's usually the vulnerable that get hooked. When one sort gets taken out by regulation or expense, something else crops up - it horrifies me .. I'm so glad I'm not a kid today.
ReplyDeleteVery important post for us to consider and know about ... thanks for updating us - Hilary
I am glad I am not a kid today--so many challenges and now this. What I also hate is how pot smoking is glamourized.
DeleteHello Natasha. Professionally I handle mental health referrals for the UK's National Health scheme (NHS). I can tell you that marijuana is exceedingly dangerous and often causes irreversible brain damage in young people. It contains many chemical 'nasties' and should be avoided. It is addictive for many, but not all, users and can lead to hard drugs. How on Earth did your local legislators ignore the well-known medical risks involved in legalising it? Many professional Mental Health workesr sees the sad result of the damage it does every day.
ReplyDeleteContinuing my new experiment of naming the music I am listening to while posting or commenting - right now it's 'Gong Up The Country' by Canned Heat.
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Wow I never knew that pot could have violent reactions-to be honest since our state has not dealt with it on the ballot yet I haven't given it much thought-maybe I should
ReplyDelete