Marijuana and other psycho-active drugs can cause symptoms and behavior changes
similar to those caused by mental health issues. As of August 2019, thirty-three
states and the District of Columbia permitted some form of marijuana consumption
for supposed medical reasons. Although federal law still considers marijuana (also
known as cannabis) an illegal drug, many of these same states and the District of
Columbia have also decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana and
have legalized it for recreational use—a step that other states are considering. In
fact, about two-thirds of the U.S. population now lives in a state with relaxed marijuana
laws.
The legal trends on the regulation of marijuana use and possession are also fostered
by the argument that marijuana is relatively harmless, especially compared to tobacco
and alcohol, and that legal bans on use are futile, in that 30 million Americans
use marijuana every year and 44% of teens have tried it at least once.88 However,
regular use among teens is much lower than ever use, with 6% of 12th graders reporting
using marijuana daily in 2018.
States that changed their laws still prohibit use by anyone younger than 21. Studies
in four states over a time period of up to 8 years are reassuring in that use of marijuana
changed little in the first few years after the laws were enacted. But there are
some warning signs of trouble. For example, edible products containing marijuana
put children at risk. Between 2005 and 2011, states that decriminalized marijuana
saw a 30% increase per year in calls to poison control centers for children age 9 and
younger who consumed marijuana products. Also, the number of drivers in fatal
motor vehicle crashes who tested positive for marijuana in Colorado increased after
medical marijuana became commercially available there in 2009.
This blog presents opinions and ideas and is intended to provide helpful general information. I am not engaged in rendering advice or services to the individual reader. The ideas, procedures and suggestions in that are presented are not in any way a substitute for the advice and care of the reader’s own physician or other medical professional based on the reader’s own individual conditions, symptoms or concerns. If the reader needs personal medical, health, dietary, exercise or other assistance or advice the reader should consult a physician and/or other qualified health professionals. The author specifically disclaims all responsibility for any injury, damage or loss that the reader may incur as a direct or indirect consequence of following any directions or suggestions given in this blog or participating in any programs described in this blog or in the book, The Building Blocks of Health––How to Optimize Your Health with a Lifestyle Checklist (available in print or downloaded at Amazon, Apple, Barnes and Noble and elsewhere). Copyright 2021 by J. Joseph Speidel.
