Pubdate: Mon, 18 May 2015
Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ)
Copyright: 2015 The Arizona Republic
Contact: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/sendaletter.html
Website: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/24
Author: Dale Guthrie
Note: Dr. Dale Guthrie of Gilbert is immediate past president of the 
Arizona Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics.

LEGALIZING POT WOULD RISK CHILDREN'S HEALTH

As a fourth-generation Arizonan, father, grandfather and 26 years as 
a practicing pediatrician, I am opposed to the legalization of 
marijuana in Arizona. The science and research show what serious 
detrimental, even dangerous, effects this would have on the youth of our state.

Data flowing in from states where legalization has occurred show an 
increase in marijuana use in adolescents, which happened after the 
laws passed but even before those laws took effect. The message sent 
to our youth is that marijuana is not harmful because adult voters 
would not legalize a dangerous drug. But that message does not square 
with reality.

New research shows that the young brain, specifically the prefrontal 
cortex responsible for controlling judgment and decision-making, is 
not fully developed until the mid-20s. Exposing this immature brain 
to marijuana has been demonstrated to cause short- and longterm 
severe changes in cerebral function.

Brain consequences of short-term marijuana use include:

Interference with learning caused by impaired short-term memory, 
decreased concentration, attention span, and problem solving.

Alterations in motor control, coordination, judgment, reaction time 
and tracking ability, which may contribute to unintentional deaths 
and injuries, especially considering motor vehicle accidents if 
driving while intoxicated by marijuana.

Higher incidence of psychosis in youth who are predisposed to schizophrenia.

Perhaps more concerning are the brain consequences of long-term marijuana use:

The younger an adolescent starts using marijuana, the brain is 
affected such that it is more likely long-term adult addiction will result.

In a dose-dependent pattern, marijuana use lowers the odds of high 
school completion and increases the use of other illegal drugs and 
suicide attempts.

Even casual use of marijuana causes changes in brain shape, volume 
and density in regions responsible for motivation and emotion.

Persistent use of marijuana is associated with decline in 
neuropsychological function, which persists even after the drug is 
discontinued. The loss of an average 6 IQ points has been 
demonstrated in a long-term research study.

Our children's brains are too important to sacrifice for this 
experiment. I urge Arizonans to be vocal in their opposition to the 
legalization of marijuana.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom