Pubdate: Thu, 17 Sep 2015
Source: Albuquerque Journal (NM)
Copyright: 2015 Albuquerque Journal
Contact:  http://www.abqjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/10
Author: Duke Rodriguez, Former Secretary New Mexico Human Services Department
Note: Duke Rodriguez is also the former chief operating officer of 
Lovelace Health Systems and former president & COO of Diagnostek Inc.

CITY SHOULD LISTEN TO PEDIATRICIANS ON DECRIMINALIZING MARIJUANA

On September 21st, the Albuquerque City Council will consider a bill 
to remove criminal penalties for possession of marijuana for adults. 
The measure filed by Council President Rey Garduno and Councilor 
Isaac Benton makes possession of an ounce or less of marijuana a 
civil infraction, punishable with a fine of $25.

Eighteen states and the District of Columbia have already 
decriminalized marijuana. More and more people are realizing that 
this is a necessary policy change that will make a difference in 
people's lives and improve public health.

Even the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) supports 
decriminalizing marijuana. In January, they issued this statement: 
"The AAP strongly supports the decriminalization of marijuana use for 
both minors and young adults and encourages pediatricians to advocate 
for laws that prevent harsh criminal penalties for possession or use 
of marijuana."

The AAP, more than 60,000 members strong, is made up entirely of 
medical professionals specializing in children's health. They are not 
promoting marijuana use, but they recognize that the dangers of 
criminalization are much longer lasting and more significantly 
harmful than occasional marijuana use.

People with criminal convictions for marijuana possession are saddled 
with negative impacts that last a lifetime. Even the lowest level 
misdemeanor offense can make everything from getting a job to finding 
housing unreasonably difficult. The AAP's report states, "a criminal 
record can have lifelong negative effects on an adolescent who 
otherwise has had no criminal justice history. These effects can 
include ineligibility for college loans, housing, financial aid, and 
certain kinds of jobs."

Few realize that an arrest for possession of a small amount of 
marijuana shows up on routine background checks. And the use of 
background checks is on the rise for everything from financing a car 
to renting a home or applying for a college scholarship. People who 
have a criminal record of any kind are often the first to be thrown 
out of the applicant pool.

The penalties go beyond the individual, affecting whole families. The 
American Academy of Pediatrics' report says that evidence shows 
decriminalization of marijuana for use by adults has not led to an 
increase in youth use rates of recreational marijuana. However, it is 
often children who experience the most damage and consequences of a 
marijuana arrest. Criminal charges for parents in possession of 
marijuana put kids in jeopardy of losing their home and their 
guardian, and these children could end up in state custody.

Decriminalization of marijuana is not advocacy for underage users. In 
fact, there is evidence that decriminalization has little or no 
impact on rates of use. The evidence is accumulating that 
decriminalization does not increase marijuana use and the prohibition 
approach has proven costly and ineffective.

The majority of Albuquerque voters in all nine council districts 
support ending the criminalization of marijuana. And, as a former 
Secretary of Human Services in New Mexico, and a longtime New Mexico 
healthcare leader, I agree with them. I respectfully urge the mayor 
to ratify the people's voice and support decriminalizing the 
possession of marijuana.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom