Pubdate: Sun, 19 Jan 2014
Source: San Diego Union Tribune (CA)
Copyright: 2014 Gloria G. Harris
Contact:  http://www.utsandiego.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/386
Note: Seldom prints LTEs from outside it's circulation area.
Author: Gloria G. Harris

KNOW THE DANGERS OF ALLOWING MEDICAL POT

Regarding the appeals court upholding the federal government's right
to crack down on California medical marijuana dispensaries ("Court
says feds can raid state pot shops," Jan. 16), the fact that marijuana
use increases the chance of becoming psychotic is not widely known.

Researchers from the University of Bristol, Imperial College and
Cambridge University examined 35 studies that tracked tens of
thousands of people for periods ranging from one year to 27 years to
examine the effects of marijuana use on mental health. They found that
people who used marijuana had roughly a 40 percent higher chance of
developing a psychotic disorder later in life. Dr. Wilson Compton, a
senior scientist at the National Institute on Drug Abuse in
Washington, called the study persuasive.

Furthermore, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration, 20 percent to 25 percent of the homeless
population in the United States suffers from some form of severe
mental illness, and mental illness was identified as the third-largest
cause of homelessness for single adults.

If our city's next mayor hopes to reduce homelessness, it is important
to understand the relationship between mental illness and the homeless
and that marijuana for medicinal purposes be closely regulated.

Gloria G. Harris

La Jolla

San Diego County Mental Health Board member  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D