Marijuana grows at the Ataraxia medical marijuana cultivation center in Albion, Ill., in 2015. (Seth Perlman/Associated Press)
Paula D. Gordon,
Regarding the July 30 editorial “One reason for cannabis caution”:
A 1967 study reported that THC (the major psychoactive component of marijuana) caused psychotic-like effects in some normal human subjects. An ever-increasing number of scientific studies show that cannabis use has triggered symptoms involving psychosis and schizophrenia.
Today’s cannabis with extremely high THC content helps account for that.
The editorial noted the increase in children being treated for cannabis-induced symptoms in Colorado and stated that it is important for the District to wait to see what further harmful effects are found.
One needs only to study the existing literature. Not only can those with developing brains lose up to 10 IQ points, but also brain anomalies have been found in users of all ages.
One out of six youths and one out of 10 adults who use marijuana become addicted. Research shows that marijuana use impairs DNA. Secondhand marijuana smoke is more harmful to cardiovascular functioning than cigarette smoke. What more proof could one require?
The District should abide by federal law, launch a campaign to dissuade people of all ages from using controlled substances and put in place alternative, non-punitive provisions for additional early intervention and treatment and rehabilitation efforts.
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