WESTMINSTER — I am not sure where Daniel Cohen got the idea that (to quote his letter) the piece I wrote [“Buzz kill,” Viewpoint, April 16] “wants to maintain the thoroughly useless, life-destroying, tax-funded War on Drugs.”
My intention (as stated in the piece) was to “educate, not legislate.” From my Viewpoint: “Should legalization occur, the state Legislature would certainly need to include funding for major educational programs to inform youth and parents about the connections between marijuana and mental health.”
My article did not say that criminalization is the best path. It urged education to promote understanding.
The War on Drugs has nothing to do with the fact that some people's mental health is adversely impacted by marijuana.
Major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia are not insignificant issues. The fact that major mental illnesses are increased by 8 to 13 percent in young people who are heavy users of marijuana is not “drivel” (to use your word). It is a health issue.
I have met many people in my work in social services and education who are not aware of the increase in mental illness in those who are heavy users of marijuana as youth. A large percentage of youth are not aware of this risk, either.
The point of the piece was to raise awareness about this one important aspect that is not well known in the U.S. Numerous studies and professionals were resources for the piece. It did not come from an “intellectual void,” but was backed up by research from around the world and consultation with experts in the field.
In regard to your thought that “the author must also acknowledge the numerous studies and anecdotal evidence that cannabinoid products have medicinal use,” I have no problem acknowledging that there are medical uses for marijuana that benefit certain people with specific conditions, but that does not change the fact that it is harmful for others. Substances impact people in different ways, and understanding the possibilities is very important.
For many years tobacco companies denied that cigarettes caused lung cancer. Eventually, the evidence became too overwhelming and those who chose to smoke did so knowing the risks.
Finally, I want people to know the risks of marijuana use which impact a substantial minority of users. I did not address the War on Drugs or advocate continued criminalization because that was not relevant. I wrote the piece to educate about one aspect of marijuana use.