Marijuana is an addictive and hazardous drug. But lately, some have taken to proclaiming that "marijuana is safer than alcohol," a message that is not only wrong but dangerous. According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, in a study that examines all deaths in Arizona of children under the age of 18, a disturbing number of child deaths resulted from substance use. It was linked to the deaths of 128 of Arizona's children in 2013. Guess which substance was the most prevalent? Not alcohol, not methamphetamine (although they were close seconds), but marijuana. In 2013, marijuana use was associated with the tragic and needless deaths of 62 children in Arizona. [continues 469 words]
There are lots of special interests driving a train across America to legalize marijuana for the purpose of getting high. Most prominent are those who stand to make billions from the commercialization of another addictive substance, aka "Big Marijuana." They are riding the rails of greed and "dark money," and using the promise of tax revenue to get uninformed voters to come on board. This is Big Tobacco on steroids, and Joe Camel is being replaced by THC candies, lollipops and ice cream. [continues 956 words]
If legalized, 32,000 of Arizona's high-school students who have never used marijuana would be more likely to try it; 76,000 high-school kids who have tried it would be more likely to use it again. Legalization means a commercialized industry that knowingly promotes a drug for profit, and a culture that celebrates inebriation over sobriety. Marijuana is a mind-altering substance, more potent today than ever. It substitutes a drug-induced euphoria for the brain's natural reward system, sucking ambition and jeopardizing school performance. [continues 164 words]
Regarding a Nov. 23 column about medical marijuana "Republic's readers deserve truth about medical-pot program," Viewpoints): Dr. Gina Mecagni repeated an urban myth in the debate over marijuana - that the National Institute on Drug Abuse won't release marijuana "for research that does not specifically address drug abuse." A visit to NIDA's website, drug abuse.gov/marijuana-research-nida, should put this myth to bed forever. NIDA funds a wide range of research on marijuana, including "potential therapeutic uses of THC and other cannabinoids in treatment of pain, HIV and addiction." [continues 119 words]
Odds are you know someone with an addiction: 2.3 million people over the age of 12 sought substance/ alcohol treatment in 2011, according to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Add those not seeking or unable to afford treatment and the numbers escalate. Marijuana dependence/ abuse is twice as prevalent as with other drugs: 4.2 million Americans (2011), nearly two-thirds of Arizona's population. Nationally, treatment admissions skyrocketed 21 percent (2000-10), with an average age of 25 and nearly three-quarters male. In Arizona, marijuana treatment has surpassed methamphetamine. [continues 433 words]
Odds are you know someone who has struggled with addiction from either legal or illegal substances. In 2011, 2.3 million in the United States aged 12 or older sought treatment for illicit drug or alcohol use at a treatment facility, according to SAMHSA, our nation's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Add to that number those who did not seek or could not afford treatment and the number of adults struggling with addition is much higher. Marijuana dependence is part of this equation; in fact, marijuana dependence in this country is twice as prevalent as any other illicit psychoactive drug. For the year 2011, 4.2 million Americans suffered from marijuana abuse or dependence. That's almost two thirds the population of the state of Arizona. [continues 718 words]
Arizona's Medical Marijuana Act was narrowly passed by the voters in November of 2010. The Director of the Arizona Department of Health Services states that we have a "model" program, and that the demographics of the card users show the "vast majority are legitimately accessing the system." (Az. Republic 7/20/12) Do the facts really support these claims? ADHS has issued 30,550 medical marijuana patient cards. Only 1,275 of the cards are for cancer; 27,330 of the cards are for self-defined chronic pain. Interestingly, 74 percent of the patient cards have been issued to males; 26 percent to females. Forty-seven percent of the cards have been issued to users between the ages of 18 and 40. [continues 395 words]
Arizona's Medical Marijuana Act was narrowly passed by voters in November 2010. The director of the Arizona Department of Health Services states that we have a "model" program and that the demographics of the card users show "the vast majority are legitimately accessing the system" (Valley & State, July 20). Do the facts really support these claims? The ADHS has issued 30,550 medical-marijuana patient cards. Only 1,275 of the cards are for cancer; 27,330 of the cards are for self-defined chronic pain. Interestingly, 74 percent of the patient cards have been issued to males; 26 percent to females. Forty-seven percent of the cards have been issued to users between the ages of 18 and 40. [continues 400 words]
Louis Brandeis famously said that the states are the laboratories of democracy. Arizona is fortunate to have been in the waiting room while the medical marijuana experiment has played out in 14 other states. Rather than blindly follow their lead, which is what Proposition 203, the so-called "medical marijuana" initiative on the November 2 ballot would do, Arizona's voters can benefit from our neighbors' experiences and decide if this is the direction we really want to go. As the Yavapai County Attorney and co-chair of MATForce, our substance abuse coalition, I have done the research. As a parent and concerned citizen, I will be voting "no" on Proposition 203. I recommend that each voter do their own review and suspect that many will come to the same conclusion. [continues 580 words]
Louis Brandeis famously said that the states are the laboratories of democracy. Arizona is fortunate to have been in the waiting room while the medical marijuana experiment has played out in 14 other states. Rather than blindly follow their lead, which is what Proposition 203, the so-called "medical marijuana" initiative on the Nov. 2 ballot would do, Arizona's voters can benefit from our neighbors' experiences and decide if this is the direction we really want to go. As the Yavapai County Attorney and co-chair of MATForce, our substance abuse coalition, I have done the research. As a parent and concerned citizen, I will be voting "no" on Proposition 203. I recommend that each voter do his or her own review, and I suspect that many will come to the same conclusion. [continues 581 words]
