Pubdate: Mon, 16 May 2016
Source: Daily Nation (Barbados)
Copyright: 2016, Nation Publishing Co. Limited
Contact:  http://www.nationnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2249

DON'T BE FOOLED, GANJA CAN HARM OUR CHILDREN

THIS IS THE ERA of calls for the global legalisation of marijuana and 
exploitation of its economic benefits. At the same time, usage of the 
drug is condoned in growing segments of Caribbean societies. Many 
people argue that it should be permitted for use on recreational and 
religious grounds; others extol its supposed medical benefits. 
Support for this "natural drug" is becoming the new normal.

Those pushing to decriminalise marijuana advance varied arguments, 
including the absurd and scientifically unproven, to support their 
positions. Removing the criminality is also an emotive argument. Yet, 
what is often overlooked is the harm this drug causes, especially to 
young people.

This is why the recent finding of a survey by Government's Criminal 
Justice Research and Planning Unit that indicates the average age of 
first use of marijuana in Barbados is seven, is so startling. 
Barbadians must be concerned about this development, for while our 
children seem to be generally aware of the harmful impact of 
cigarettes and alcohol, it is evident they are much less concerned 
about ganja. They are being raised in an environment which paints a 
different picture of this drug.

We must not forget that the big tobacco industry promoted and 
defended cigarettes and worked hard to make their usage socially 
acceptable. Thanks to medical science, the dangerous cancer-causing 
effects of tobacco smoking were exposed. It will take time for 
science to study the full impact of marijuana. But, already in United 
States, where medical and recreational cannabis sales are allowed in 
some states, disquieting new trends and statistics are proving its 
unique dangers to children.

Proponents of ganja usage advance the notion that it is not 
habit-forming, but research data has shown otherwise. While pot - as 
it is also called - may not be conclusively shown to cause cancer, 
medical scientists have at the same time said that its harmful 
emotional and mental effects will take time to capture in studies. 
Much of the scepticism by the medical fraternity is rooted in science 
and practical psychological analyses and not based simply on the 
anecdotal or traditional beliefs.

The Criminal Justice Research and Planning Unit, formerly the 
National Task Force on Crime Prevention, needs to undertake more 
research into marijuana's usage while the University of the West 
Indies ought to expand scientific investigations on medical uses for 
the drug's chemical components that may be useful without producing a high.

There are persuasive arguments for and against the use of pot. This 
is why the question of whether it should be legalised is one that 
cannot be left to medical scientists only, but must include law 
enforcers and other influencers in society. The lessons of 
prohibition and incarceration relating to this drug have been dismal 
failures, even in Barbados. But, the same way most responsible adults 
recognise the dangers of children consuming alcohol, the same 
reasoning must be applied to their access to pot.

We must not tell our children that marijuana is natural and not a 
problem. There is nothing further from the truth.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom