Parents
who said their sons and daughters had mental health problems or
committed suicide after using marijuana rallied Tuesday at the state
Capitol against Proposition 64, which would legalize the recreational
use of cannabis.
Speakers included Lori Robinson, whose son, Shane, committed suicide at age 25 after bouts of psychosis she said occurred when he smoked marijuana.
“These kids don’t realize that marijuana has been linked to triggering psychiatric harm for some brains,” said Robinson, who lives in Thousand Oaks.
The rally against the initiative was attended by nearly 50 activist parents and health experts, and was sponsored by Moms Strong, a grassroots group of parents who say their sons and daughters suffered health issues from marijuana use.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse says several studies have linked marijuana use to “increased risk for psychiatric disorders, including psychosis (schizophrenia), depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, but whether and to what extent it actually causes these conditions is not always easy to determine.”
The amount used, the age it is used and the genetic vulnerability of the user have also influenced the link. the institute says. “ The strongest evidence to date concerns links between marijuana use and substance use disorders and between marijuana use and psychiatric disorders in those with a preexisting genetic or other vulnerability,” the institute says.
A representative of the “Yes on Proposition 64” campaign, Jason Kinney, said the current system has failed parents because it is easy for minors to obtain marijuana.
“Proposition 64 is a safer, smarter approach – with strict, 21-and-over policies, bans on marketing to youth and child-attracting edibles, more money for law enforcement and unprecedented funding for youth prevention and treatment programs," he said.
Speakers included Lori Robinson, whose son, Shane, committed suicide at age 25 after bouts of psychosis she said occurred when he smoked marijuana.
“These kids don’t realize that marijuana has been linked to triggering psychiatric harm for some brains,” said Robinson, who lives in Thousand Oaks.
The rally against the initiative was attended by nearly 50 activist parents and health experts, and was sponsored by Moms Strong, a grassroots group of parents who say their sons and daughters suffered health issues from marijuana use.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse says several studies have linked marijuana use to “increased risk for psychiatric disorders, including psychosis (schizophrenia), depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, but whether and to what extent it actually causes these conditions is not always easy to determine.”
The amount used, the age it is used and the genetic vulnerability of the user have also influenced the link. the institute says. “ The strongest evidence to date concerns links between marijuana use and substance use disorders and between marijuana use and psychiatric disorders in those with a preexisting genetic or other vulnerability,” the institute says.
A representative of the “Yes on Proposition 64” campaign, Jason Kinney, said the current system has failed parents because it is easy for minors to obtain marijuana.
“Proposition 64 is a safer, smarter approach – with strict, 21-and-over policies, bans on marketing to youth and child-attracting edibles, more money for law enforcement and unprecedented funding for youth prevention and treatment programs," he said.
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