UK: Panacea Propaganda Muddles Medicos

Commons doctors rally to false cause over cannabis

By  Kathy Gyngell May 26, 2018

It is a pity the doctors of the House of Commons don’t find time for research. Before rallying to the cause of Alfie Dingley and campaigning ‘to change the law banning the medicinal use of cannabis’ they should have checked the facts. So should the Guardian.

So too should Cathy Newman of Channel 4 News, who also assumes that cannabis-based meds are illegal in the UK.

It simply is not true. The medicinal use of cannabis is not illegal in the UK. Licensed medicines, extracted and purified substances from the cannabis plant have been available for many years.

One of its active ingredients, tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, under the name of Nabilone and now made synthetically, has been around for about 30 years and is used for the relief of nausea resulting from chemotherapy. There are caveats. It is not uniformly well-tolerated and can exacerbate rather than reduce vomiting. Since safer and more efficient medications exist, THC-derived clinical compounds tend to be used only when other interventions have failed.

Sativex, a combination of THC and another ingredient, cannabidiol or CBD, is licensed for the relief of muscle stiffness (spasticity) in patients with multiple sclerosis. Warnings on its use are similarly extensive. Finally CBD is being clinically tested for some types of epilepsy. In the US Epidiolex, a pharmaceutical-grade form of CBD developed by GW Pharmaceuticals, has been approved by the Federal Drug Administration. In the UK the work to clear it is not complete.

For anyone who hasn’t been in Holland and Barrett recently, cannabis oil which contains CBD is available to buy in the UK, subject to the Medicines & Healthcare products
Regulatory Agency (MHRA) statement on products containing CBD. It is not illegal if it contains less than 0.05 per cent THC.

The trouble is that the term ‘cannabis oil’ is dangerously imprecise. The make-up of the cannabis oil Alfie Dingley’s mother says her child needs and which is available to her in the Netherlands has never been specified despite the extensive news coverage of the case. Such misleading and inaccurate reportage raises the question as to its purpose — to lobby for the legalisation of the Class B drug, perhaps?

The bottom line is that even in the upside-down and parallel truths world we live in, there is still such a thing as objective fact. We are, too, still a first world nation with a first world pharmaceutical approval system. It is not foolproof, as the terrible thalidomide tragedy showed us, but such a tragedy is exactly what it is designed to protect us from — and it does.

For complete article https://www.conservativewoman.co.uk/commons-doctors-rally-to-false-cause-over-cannabis/?utm_source=TCW+Daily+Email&utm_campaign=fc81c3811a-RSS_DAILY_EMAIL&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a63cca1cc5-fc81c3811a-556077329

 

USA: M.A.C. Babies Latest Attacked by Marijuana Industry

Marijuana Accountability Coalition Takes Action to Defend Babies from the Marijuana Industry

For Immediate Release: 

May 29, 2018 Contact: Justin Luke Riley [email protected] 720-401-5500

Marijuana Accountability Coalition Takes Action to Defend Babies from the Marijuana Industry

(Denver, CO) -Today, the Marijuana Accountability Coalition (MAC), in partnership with Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), launched the \”Don\’t Hurt Our Future\” Campaign, holding the marijuana industry accountable for putting money and greed over public safety in pushing products to pregnant mothers and unborn children.

As recently reported, over 70% percent of marijuana dispensaries in Colorado were found to be recommending high-potency THC products to mothers as a remedy for symptoms of morning sickness. According to the Centers for Disease Control, marijuana use during pregnancy could result in low birth weight and other developmental issues in the womb.

In order to keep the marijuana industry from sweeping this under the rug, MAC and SAM are placing 1,000 baby bibs, with the phrase \”Don\’t Hurt Our Future\”, on the doors of marijuana dispensaries, State House offices, and the Colorado Department of Revenue.

\”The marijuana industry will stop at nothing to make a buck,\” said Justin Luke Riley, founder of the MAC. \”Going against all available science, the industry is now recommending pot for pregnant women. They must be held accountable for their actions and not simply be given a slap on the wrist. They are actively putting their profits ahead of the healthy development of future Coloradans.

\”The for-profit pot industry must be stopped. We have long known that the marijuana industry has no shame, but this is a new low,\” said Dr. Kevin Sabet, founder and president of SAM. \”We demand that Colorado state government take immediate action and stop the pot industry from continuing with this. Pot and pregnancy don\’t mix.\”

www.MarijuanaAccountability.co

 

 

USA: Another S.A.M. Victory of Reason over Cannabis Cash Craziness!

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Dear Supporter,
A week ago, the marijuana industry was on the precipice of a major victory.
Big Pot spent massive amounts of money and manhours lobbying Congress to grant the industry banking access, but thanks to your help the House Appropriations Committee voted down the Joyce amendment. This amendment would have put pedal to the metal on Wall Street investment into the sales and marketing of pot candies, cookies, and ice creams.
Public health took on Big Pot, and public health won.
The fact is, granting banking access to the marijuana industry would enable money laundering for international drug cartels that are already using the cover of legalization to grow their illegal operations. In Canada, anonymous offshore firms, possibly with connections to organized crime, have already invested heavily into the marijuana industry.
If hedge funds can easily invest in marijuana companies, the industry will metastasize into Big Tobacco within a matter of months. There will be no restrictions to the length of their reach once their billions turn to hundreds of billions and their shops line every street corner of your hometown. This is why we must continue our fight and build on these victories.
Because of the tireless work of SAM Action supporters like you, public health notched a victory in the House, but the fight is not yet settled on this issue.
Tomorrow, the Senate Appropriations committee will meet and debate the Merkley amendment, which is almost identical to the Joyce amendment. They are considering banking access, yet again.
It is urgent that you take action NOW.
Our Government Affairs team is working around the clock with our allies and volunteers such as yourself to shut this amendment down.
If you can, please click here to chip in with a donation to SAM Action to help us mobilize.
Your donation, no matter the amount, will go far in helping SAM Action implement pushback strategies on the harmful proposals being pushed by pot industry-backed lawmakers.
If you can\’t chip in with a donation or if you want to help even more, please click here to send a letter to your senator asking them to oppose the Merkley amendment!
We are standing up for public health in this debate and history will smile on our efforts.
Thank you for all that you do.
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Dr. Kevin Sabet
Founder and President
Smart Approaches to Marijuana Action
P.S.      Big Marijuana is spending big to push dangerous amendment             through Congress to achieve banking access for marijuana                 businesses.
Please click here to chip in with a donation to help defeat this proposal, or at the very least, click here to send your senator a letter demanding they oppose the Merkley amendment.

 

Europe: Drugs and Murder – The numbers

EMCDDA releases its first analysis on monitoring drug-related homicide in Europe

An EMCDDA Paper released today provides an overview of the information available on drug-related homicide (DRH) in Europe. This first snapshot provides practitioners and policymakers with the current state of the art on this topic. It is part of the EMCDDA’s efforts to expand its monitoring in the drug-related crime area in order to fully comprehend the broader ramifications of the drugs phenomenon.

Since 2013, the EMCDDA has been working on improving its framework for monitoring the supply side of the drugs problem to reflect the changing nature of drug markets and their wider harms and impact (1). The effects of drugs and drug markets reach beyond those who are directly exposed to drugs in terms of health or social problems. The issue is of serious concern in relation to the overall security situation in Europe and deeply affects communities at large, as drug use and drug markets can act as cross-cutting facilitators of acts of violence.

Literature on the relationship between psychoactive substance use and violence is increasing, although most of this is devoted to the use of alcohol. However, a smaller, but growing, number of studies focus on the drug—violence relationship.

To help bridge the gap, today’s report:

  • maps existing data sources on homicide in European countries;
  • estimates the extent of drug involvement in national homicides by country;
  • assesses and discusses the obstacles where a drug-homicide relationship cannot be readily established; and
  • considers the practical implications for monitoring drug-related homicide at the EU level.

There are clearly inconsistencies in the data available on drug-related homicide in Europe. While 10 countries systematically prepare data on this topic, there is variation, between and within countries, on the role drugs play in homicide events. Homicides are internationally well-recorded, but as the report states: ‘Research and monitoring activity internationally has rarely looked beyond the link between homicide and the involvement of organised crime in the supply and distribution of illicit drugs’.

According to the report, Europe currently faces four key obstacles to monitoring drug-related homicide:

  • missing data;
  • fragmented data;
  • comparability issues; and
  • data quality reservations.

To overcome these obstacles there is a need to define and operationalise concepts based on common definitions and integrate them into the EMCDDA monitoring system.

Drug-related homicide is one of the most serious manifestations of drug markets and has a high social cost. It can also be an indicator of wider drug-related violent crime. Comparing these statistics between countries can help identify trends and new threats in order to plan and implement proportionate responses.

For complete article http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/news/2018/emcdda-releases-analysis-monitoring-drug-related-homicide-europe_en

 

USA: S.A.M. Latest News May 2018

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News Roundup

May 2018
It\’s been a busy month!
Together, we are making a difference!

Marijuana Shops Recommend Marijuana to Pregnant Mothers; Despite Doctor\’s Warnings MAC and SAM Take Action to Defend Babies from the Marijuana Industry!
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A disturbing study published in the journalObstetrics & Gynecology found that close to 70% of marijuana dispensaries in Colorado were recommending high potency marijuana products to expectant mothers suffering symptoms of morning sickness. Even worse, \”medical\” marijuana dispensaries were more likely to recommend the substance than were recreational shops.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, marijuana use during pregnancy   can lead to low birth weight, developmental problems, and even stillbirth.
\"\"
The Marijuana Accountability Coalition (MAC), in partnership with Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), launched the \”Don\’t Hurt Our Future\” Campaign, holding the marijuana industry accountable for putting money and greed over public safety in pushing products to pregnant mothers and unborn children.
In order to keep the marijuana industry from sweeping this under the rug, MAC and SAM placed 1,000 baby bibs, with the phrase \”Don\’t Hurt Our Future\”, on the doors of marijuana dispensaries, State House offices, the Governor\’s Mansion, and the Colorado Department of Revenue. \”The marijuana industry will stop at nothing to make a buck,\” said Justin Luke Riley, founder of the MAC. \”Going against all available science, the industry is now recommending pot for pregnant women. They must be held accountable for their actions and not simply be given a slap on the wrist.

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SAM Trainings Now Available!

Trainings are now available for all age groups associated with non-profit organizations, corporations, healthcare, clinicians, social workers, counselors, schools, law enforcement and local community groups around the country who want to educate their communities and employees on all issues surrounding marijuana.
We go beyond slogans and clichés to give you a data-driven and tested approach to marijuana use and its consequences.
Learn What to Say and How to Say It!
  • What messages work best? Based on years of experience and professional opinion polling, SAM will teach you and your team the critical messages best used in the field and also provide quick answers to questions like: \”But isn\’t marijuana just a plant?\”
  • Then, we will teach you how to effectively leverage that experience to have the greatest impact within your organization.
  • Learn how to gather more partners for your quest to educate on marijuana and influence leaders within your network.
To reserve your training today, please email us at
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Young People Who View Marijuana Ads Are More Likely to Use Marijuana
Marijuana Related Fatalities On Washington Roadways Double According to New State Study
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According to a new study by the Rand Corporation, young people who view marijuana advertisements are more likely to use the drug and also more likely to have positive views on the substance.
The findings, from a study that tracked adolescents\’ viewing of medical marijuana ads over seven years, provides the best evidence to date that an increasing amount of advertising about marijuana may prompt young people to increase their use of the drug.
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New data released by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission indicate several troubling trends have emerged since marijuana legalization.
Most notably, marijuana-impaired traffic fatalities have more than doubled, one in five drivers are under the influence of marijuana, and close to 65% of drivers who admit to driving under the influence believe that marijuana did not impair their ability to drive.
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\"\"Marijuana Legalization Bill Defeated in Connecticut!
After pro-pot advocates claimed a victory in moving a bill to legalize marijuana out of committee, they almost immediately suffered a crushing defeat as neither chamber took up the bill in question. The push to legalize marijuana in Connecticut, at least for this year, is over.
\”Lawmakers are seeing through the claims of Big Marijuana and are pumping the brakes on legalizing marijuana,\” said Dr. Kevin Sabet, founder and president of SAM. \”CT-SAM and SAM officials and supporters have testified numerous times before lawmakers in Connecticut and we can certainly celebrate this as a victory,\” continued Sabet.
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\"\"Marijuana Legalization Defeated Again in Vermont!
The Vermont House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to defeat a bill that would have fully legalized the  commercialization of marijuana in the state. This was yet another crushing defeat for the active pro-pot lobby in Vermont that has been trying to legalize pot sales for years.
\”This is a huge victory for public health and safety,\” said Dr. Kevin Sabet, Founder and president of SAM and SAM Action. \”The pot lobby pushed for full legalization by dangling the prospects of large tax revenues over the heads of Vermonters, but Vermont lawmakers saw right through it. Thanks to the terrific work by SAM VT, this bill is dead and marijuana sales
will not be legalized.\”
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Marijuana Use in U.S. Workforce Soaring in \”Legal\” States Maine Legislature Overturns Gov. LePage\’s Veto on Marijuana Legalization Bill
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According to a new study by Quest Diagnostics, one of the leading drug testing and analysis organizations in the country, drug use in the U.S. workforce is at the highest levels it has been in the last decade, driven in large part by states that have legalized the sale of marijuana.
\”This data is indeed troubling, but it is not surprising,\” said Smart Approaches to Marijuana founder and president Dr. Kevin Sabet. \”This data mirrors the results we saw when Colorado and Washington legalized marijuana and are numbers we can expect to see any time a state foolishly follows their example.
\"\"
Maine\’s legislature voted to overturn Governor LePage\’s common sense veto of a bill to legalize marijuana in the state. The bill will become law, but it is unlikely that the governor will push to start the rules making process to implement the commercialization of the substance.
While the passage of the bill is unfortunate, it allows towns to opt-in, rather than opt-out, of legalization. Over two-thirds of the towns in Maine voted against legalization, and now SAM Maine will fight town by town to stop the commercialization of marijuana in the state.
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MARIJUANA: PREVENTING ANOTHER BIG TOBACCO MEDIA CAMPAIGN TOOLKIT NOW AVAILABLE

Big Marijuana is borrowing the playbook of Big Tobacco in search of the same deep profits at the expense of addicted users. It is time to combat their game with the facts! To help you do so, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) has partnered with Communities for Alcohol and Drug Free Youth (CADY) to offer a comprehensive media campaign prevention toolkit.
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As always, thank you for being a SAM supporter -if you can, please chip-in with a small donation by clicking here!

 

If you can\’t chip-in, then at the very least,  and help grow the SAM community!

 

In Health,

 

Colton Grace

 

Communications Associate

 

Smart Approaches to Marijuana

 

USA: Push to Protect Weed Pushers – Say NO Mr President!

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For Immediate Release   

June 7, 2018

Contact: Colton Grace  

864-492-6719

Statement from SAM President Kevin Sabet Regarding Senator Cory Gardner\’s Legislation Shielding Addiction-For-Profit Industry From Federal Law

[Alexandria , VA ] –  In response to today\’s announced legislation by Colorado Senator Cory Gardner and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) President Dr. Kevin Sabet released the following statement: 

\”Why is Senator Gardner standing for the same companies that were caught red-handed recommending pot to pregnant women? The state of Colorado still has taken no enforcement action against these businesses. By the way, they also make THC candies, cookies, 99% concentrates and other kid-friendly items.
\”Further, Senator Gardner must have missed the recent NBC expose showing the complete infiltration of foreign drug cartels into Colorado using the cover of legalization.
\”While Senator Gardner is calling this a \’states\’ rights\’ approach, this bill essentially amounts to the federal legalization of marijuana. The bill would shield the pot industry in states that have liberalized their drug policies and prevent the enforcement of federal law. Additionally, the bill would grant marijuana businesses access to the federal banking system, allowing Wall Street investment on an unprecedented scale.
\”Four years ago, as a member of the House, Cory Gardner voted against these very same provisions. Now that the pot industry has expanded in Colorado, normalizing use and advertising THC-laced candies to youth, he is singing a different tune. If enacted, this bill would pave the way for the commercialization of the marijuana industry and the creation of the next Big Tobacco.
\”It is a shame that Senator Gardner has chosen to put political donations and expediency ahead of public health and safety. We are seeing communities across the country fight back and SAM applauds New Hampshire, Connecticut, Vermont, and other states who have recently rejected Big Marijuana. We won\’t stop amplifying the voices of families and individuals affected by these lax policies.\”
In light of Senators Cory Gardner and Elizabeth Warren introducing a bill to shield the marijuana industry from enforcement of federal laws, our friends at the National Narcotics Officer\’s Associations\’ Coalition sent the letter below to President Donald Trump asking him not to weaken the federal policy on marijuana.
Please see their press release below.
All the best,
Kevin Sabet, PhD.
Founder and President
Smart Approaches to Marijuana
__________________________________________________________________
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For Immediate Release
June 7, 2018
Contact: Bob Bushman [email protected]
NNOAC Urges President Trump to Not Weaken Enforcement of Federal Drug Laws
The National Narcotics Officers Association Coalition today released a letter to the President urging him not to weaken the memo issued by US Attorney General Jeff Sessions on January 4, 2018. The letter warns the President of the connection between legalized marijuana, the black market, and foreign cartel activity, as extensively documented by  NBC News and  Newsweek .
The text of the letter is as follows:
June 7, 2018
The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C., 20500
Dear Mr. President,
We write as representatives for major law enforcement organizations representing federal, state, and local law enforcement. We are deeply concerned about reports that you may be considering action to overturn the January 4, 2018 Memorandum from the Department of Justice that merely restates current federal drug laws.
The fact is, gangs and cartels have been making liberal use of legalization to provide cover for their illegal activities. These gangs have ties to Mexican, Cuban, Vietnamese, and Russian cartels. [i] The gangs often purchase homes in residential neighborhoods, wire in extra electricity and water capacity, and convert them into multi-million dollar grow houses in suburban neighborhoods. These gangs are also trafficking in other illegal drugs, organized crime, and prostitution. Crime has been steadily increasing in Colorado in all categories since legalization, including violent crimes. [ii]
Make no mistake, the black market does not honor state lines. Colorado and other legalized states have many embarrassing examples of providing cover for trafficking of marijuana to other states. In one of the most egregious examples, Operation Toker Poker, 62 people and 12 businesses were indicted for growing marijuana under the cover of legalization. Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman said, \”The black market for marijuana has not gone away since recreational marijuana was legalized in our state, and in fact continues to flourish.\” [iii]
In another example, an organized crime unit with multiple licenses to grow and manufacture marijuana was finally caught after several years of shipping marijuana to other states. The Drug Enforcement Administration agents in Colorado indicated that this was a common arrangement. [iv]
Other states, like Oregon and California, have been growing much more marijuana than the state can consume and are mass exporters of marijuana to other states. The California Growers Association estimates that their members grow at least eight times as much marijuana as the entire state of California can consume and ship the rest out of state. [v] The Oregon State Police estimate that their state grows four to five times as much as it can consume, shipping the rest as far as Florida and even abroad. [vi]
We urge you to see through the smoke screen and reject attempts to encourage more drug use in America.
Sincerely,
National Sheriffs\’ Association
Major County Sheriffs\’ Association
Major Cities Chiefs Association
National Narcotics Officers\’ Associations\’ Coalition
National High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Directors\’ Association
Law Enforcement Action Network
CC:      Marc Short, Office of Legislative Affairs
Kellyanne Conway, Counselor to the President
James Carroll, Acting Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy
The Honorable Jefferson Sessions, Attorney General of the United States
###

 

 

Europe: Murder and drugs

EMCDDA releases its first analysis on monitoring drug-related homicide in Europe

An EMCDDA Paper released today provides an overview of the information available on drug-related homicide (DRH) in Europe. This first snapshot provides practitioners and policymakers with the current state of the art on this topic. It is part of the EMCDDA’s efforts to expand its monitoring in the drug-related crime area in order to fully comprehend the broader ramifications of the drugs phenomenon.

Since 2013, the EMCDDA has been working on improving its framework for monitoring the supply side of the drugs problem to reflect the changing nature of drug markets and their wider harms and impact (1). The effects of drugs and drug markets reach beyond those who are directly exposed to drugs in terms of health or social problems. The issue is of serious concern in relation to the overall security situation in Europe and deeply affects communities at large, as drug use and drug markets can act as cross-cutting facilitators of acts of violence.

For complete article http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/news/2018/emcdda-releases-analysis-monitoring-drug-related-homicide-europe_en

 

Colorado: Weed for Morning Sickness! Very Bad News for Bubs!

1000 BIBS PLACED OVER DISPENSARIES IN DENVER

31/5/18

Doctors tell women not to smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol when pregnant, so why would anyone think it’s ok to smoke pot?   It turns out that 69% of marijuana dispensaries in Colorado were giving this bad advice.

Marijuana Accountability Coalition (MAC), in partnership with Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), launched the “Don’t Hurt Our Future” Campaign.  CBS TV in Denver featured their activity on the nightly news.  Watch the video of May 30, 2018 from the TV clip:

Coalition Places Baby Bibs On Marijuana Dispensary Doors

As recently reported, nearly 70% percent of marijuana dispensaries in Colorado were found to be recommending high-potency THC products to mothers. These dispensaries and some websites promote pot as a remedy for symptoms of morning sickness.

Volunteers from MAC and SAM began at the governor’s mansion and distributed 1,000 bibs on the doors of pot dispensaries in Colorado.

The problems with marijuana in pregnancy

According to the Centers for Disease Control, marijuana use during pregnancy could result in low birth weight and other developmental issues in the womb.   Parents Opposed to Pot tracks reports of babies who died in infancy because the moms smoked pot during pregnancy.  Pot smoking leads to low birth weights and more fragile babies.   Nine of 106 child abuse deaths we found over five years included low birth-weight babies who had THC in their system.

For complete article http://www.poppot.org/2018/05/31/1000-bibs-placed-over-dispensaries-in-denver/

 

USA: Get Smart About Drugs – Talking to YOUR Kids about Weed

New Report Advises Parents about Teen Marijuana Use

May 29, 2018

Talking to your teens about drug use can already be a little uncomfortable. But what if you live in a state where using recreational marijuana is legal for adults? That can certainly make the conversation a little bit trickier, especially considering such laws make many teens believe the drug isn’t harmful.

Washington is one of the states where recreational marijuana use is legal for adults over the age of 21 (Although, keep in mind, marijuana use is still ILLEGAL on the federal level no matter where you live).  “A Parent’s Guide to Preventing Underage Marijuana Use,” a publication produced by Seattle Children’s Hospital and the UW Social Development Research Group, provides good guidance for parents on how to talk to teens about marijuana, the effect of the drug on the teenage body, and the  answers to some commonly asked questions about marijuana such as:

Isn’t marijuana natural and therefore OK for teens to use?

There are many natural things that are not good for our bodies. Regardless of it being “natural” or not marijuana can harm youth health.

Isn’t it better for my child to consume marijuana at home where I can make sure they stay safe?

Research shows that teens who use alcohol at home are actually more likely to abuse alcohol when not at home. The same holds true for marijuana.

What about marijuana brownies and cookies? Aren’t they safer than smoking marijuana?

Marijuana, no matter how it is used, is harmful to teen health. Some marijuana products that are eaten or vaporized are more potent than smoked marijuana.

I smoked when I was a kid, why deny a rite of passage?

Keep in mind that most teens do not use marijuana, so it is not really a rite of passage. Today’s marijuana is more potent than the marijuana that was available in the past. In addition, some marijuana products being sold are “concentrates” and are even more potent and dangerous to teen health.

Read more in “A Parent’s Guide to Preventing Underage Marijuana Use.”

 

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