Pubdate: Sun, 31 Mar 2013
Source: Baltimore Sun (MD)
Copyright: 2013 Mike Gimbel
Contact:  http://www.baltimoresun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/37
Author: Mike Gimbel

LEGALIZING POT WILL PUT TEENS IN JEOPARDY

In spite of citizens' concerns, it seems our politicians are
determined to decriminalize marijuana, either under the smoke screen
of medical use or through outright legalization ("Advocates for legal
marijuana take first steps," March 20).

As with tobacco, alcohol and prescription drugs, supporters of
legalization will assure us there will be age limits on who can
purchase and use marijuana. And we all know how well those limits have
worked to keep teens from getting their hands on cigarettes, alcohol
and prescription drugs in the past.

So parents need to prepare for a future in which marijuana will be
easily available through local dispensaries, which will become the
equivalent of liquor stores. I also encourage parents to learn about
how marijuana is a fat-soluble drug that stays in the body's brain,
lungs and reproductive system for up to 30 days.

This often leads to the a-motivational syndrome better know as
"burn-out." Symptoms of burn-out include an inability to concentrate,
short-term memory loss and lack of motivation, which we often see in
teens who smoke marijuana.

It is important parents begin to learn these signs and symptoms so
they can intervene and get their children the help they will need. We
have already seen a rise in marijuana use among school-age kids, and
it's only a matter of time before outright legalization occurs.

Mike Gimbel, Timonium The writer is the former Baltimore County drug
czar. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D