Pubdate: Thu, 27 Dec 2012
Source: Courier News (Elgin, IL)
Copyright: 2012 The Courier News
Contact:  http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1200
Author: Judy Kreamer

PLACING YOUTHS IN HARM'S WAY WITH ILLINOIS MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL IS SHAMEFUL

Marijuana is a drug that cripples; and if the medical marijuana bill 
passes, it will cripple thousands of youth.

In Illinois, 15,759 marijuana users were admitted for treatment in 
2010 - 36.4 percent were 12-17 years old.

The medical marijuana bill allows 18-year-olds - high school seniors 
- - to purchase medical marijuana cards. The card entitles them to buy 
21/2 ounces of marijuana every 14 days; 21/2 ounces makes 183 joints.

This bill is an invitation to drug use and dealing in high schools. 
Each year, two-thirds of new marijuana users are under the age of 18. 
Additionally, more high school seniors smoked marijuana than smoked 
cigarettes, according to the 2010 Monitoring the Future Survey. The 
legislature's action sends the message to teenagers that marijuana is safe.

Marijuana can be addictive. It can compromise academic success by 
impairing learning, memory, abstract thinking and problem-solving. 
Teens' brains are not fully developed. Marijuana use can lead to poor 
attendance, dropping out of school, delinquency and behavioral 
problems. It is a gateway drug.

In the 2010 Illinois Youth Survey, there were more youth reporting 
having driven when they had been using marijuana or other illegal 
drugs than alcohol. This bill permits a medical marijuana patient to 
drive a motor vehicle six hours after consuming marijuana. (How could 
a six-hour law be enforced?) Research shows a single marijuana joint 
can impair a person's ability to drive for more than 24 hours. 
Marijuana slows reaction time and impairs motor coordination.

Who will protect our kids?

Judy Kreamer

President, Educating Voices

Naperville
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom