Drug policy expert says components in marijuana have medical uses but should be processed, regulated

By Monica Rodriguez,

Marijuana for medicinal use is a complex issue, the head of national volunteer group that seeks to educate the public on the science of marijuana and promote health-minded policies that reduce marijuana use told a group in Pomona Wednesday evening.

Some components of marijuana have medical uses but they should be studied and then processed in a pharmaceutical laboratory, said Kevin Sabet, director of the Drug Policy Institute at the University of Florida College of Medicine and president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana.

“Let’s make it legitimate by putting it in a pharmacy with proper dosage,” he said.

Sabet, spoke to a group of more than 70 parents, youth, educators and others during a forum on marijuana at the Village at Indian Hill Wednesday.

Many people think marijuana is a harmless substance and don’t realize that the material is much stronger than what was smoked in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, he said.

“Cheech and Chong in their wildest dreams couldn’t come up with this,” Sabet said, drawing laughter from audience members.

The marijuana that exists today is much stronger and it is available for use in different forms, many of them edible.

The material can have negative effects, particular in young people under the age of 25 who have brains that are still in development, he said.

Sabet’s talk was part of a forum organized by Partnership for a Positive Pomona, a coalition of residents and groups that are working to create a drug free environment in the city.

Sara Cooley, project coordinator for the partnership, said the event was organized in response to the questions many parents, social service professionals, educators and other have related to marijuana.