Voices

Young people and marijuana

I finally read Michelle Bos-Lun's piece outlining the increased incidences incidence of mood disorders and psychosis among those who smoke marijuana.

It is straightforward, non-hysterical, and non-prescriptive. It simply argues that smoking marijuana at a young age puts teens and young adults - whose brains are not yet fully developed - at higher risk for developing mental illnesses. It also argues that the marijuana available today has a much higher THC content than that widely available several decades ago.

It does not address positive outcomes for use of marijuana, e.g. amelioration of nausea. Nor does it argue for criminalization of marijuana users. But it does not purport to.

Bos-Lun advocates for education, not criminalization. Hers is a well-written cautionary tale.

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