Pubdate: Wed, 18 Feb 2015
Source: Washington Post (DC)
Copyright: 2015 The Washington Post Company
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/mUgeOPdZ
Website: http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/491
Author: Paula D. Gordon
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v15/n100/a06.html

THE NIGHTMARE OF POT LEGALIZATION

Regarding the Feb. 16 front-page article "D.C. lacks pot rules even 
as legalization day nears":

Do city officials want the District to be known for pot use and as a 
pot distribution center? A recent Police Foundation report on the 
impact of pot legalization tells of the nightmare that is unfolding 
in Colorado. The same nightmare is likely to unfold in the District 
if the law goes forward with or without regulation. The following can 
be expected: increased use among youth; increased numbers of those 
seeking treatment; increased pot-related DUIs; increased secondhand 
smoke issues; increased drug cartel and black-market activity; and 
increased homelessness.

A Lancet Psychiatry study published this week on pot use and 
psychosis says daily users of high-potency marijuana were five times 
more likely than non-users to have a psychotic disorder; weekend 
users were three times more likely.

D.C. officials, Congress and the Supreme Court can still stop this nightmare.

Paula D. Gordon, Washington

The writer helped draft the legislation that established the Special 
Action Office for Drug Abuse Prevention under President Richard Nixon.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom