Nov

2012

1:44pm, EST

New pot laws will be a public health experiment

By Rachael Rettner, MyHealthNewsDaily

The public health impact of legalizing marijuana for recreational use is concerning to some, but there is little evidence to back up these worries, experts say.

In fact, the passage of new laws in Colorado and Washington essentially amounts to a public health experiment, which researchers can use to gather information on the real harms and benefits of legalizing the drug in the United States, experts said. The laws, passed by voters on Tuesday, allow adults over age 21 to possess or buy up to 1 ounce of marijuana for recreational use.

"It's an empirical question, and we'll finally have data to assess it," said Rosalie Liccardo Pacula, co-director of the Drug Policy Research Center at the RAND Corporation, a nonprofit research organization. Right now, there are many unknowns because research on the topic is limited, even in countries where the drug is legal.

Legalizing marijuana clearly has the potential to harm people, Pacula said. The drug temporarily impairs memory, coordination and perception, which affects driving ability and therefore endangers public safety. [See: Effects of Marijuana ]

Indeed, studies have found that people who drive within a few hours of using marijuana are more than twice as likely to be involved in a car crash compared with other drivers, said Guohua Li, an epidemiologist at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, who has researched the effects of marijuana on driving.

Some studies have linked use of marijuana early in life with an increased risk for mental illness, and one recent study found a link between marijuana use in adolescents and lower IQ later in life.

But existing studies on the health effects of marijuana have generally been done using a selected population — those who are inclined to use an illegal drug — and not the population as a whole, Pacula said.

The real effect on public health will depend on how often people use the drug, whether it is used in conjunction with alcohol (which increases impairment), the drug's potency, and the amount of youth use, Pacula said.

It is reasonable to assume the new laws will lead to an increase in marijuana use by teens, though it's not clear how big this increase will be, Pacula said. Legalization of pot will lead to a drop in the drug's price, and with any drug, lower prices bring increased use, she said. If the drop in price is small, so is the rise in use.

Another unknown variable is the potency of the drug that becomes available to recreational users. Potency can vary widely, and higher potencies may increase the risk of mental health problems, Pacula said.

"When we have knowledge of those things, we'll be able to say wither public health is likely to go up or down," Pacula said.

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Lois20721921

They should just legalize it nationally.

4 votes

#1 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 2:11 PM EST

Anonymous Economist

Do you guys ever research anything? or just go along with talking points?

Studies show that drivers under the influence of cannabis are actually SAFER THAN SOBER DRIVERS: http://ftp.iza.org/dp6112.pdf

It also reverses the growth of cancerous tumors: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,512158,00.html

Stop trying to demonize this substance. You're doing yourself, your neighbors and your country a disservice.

8 votes

#2 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 2:17 PM EST

Scooteral-3543600

If illegality justifies somebodies job or makes them a profit, they are going to say it should be illegal. Sick f**ks won't care if it destroys someone's life, breaks up their family or they lose their house or freedom. That is human nature and the system that has been there for the last (80?) years.

Call me a one issue voter but if you want to lock me up for relaxing with an herb, you do not get my vote. I like Obama but couldn't vote for him because of his war on marijuana. I voted for Gary Johnson, but am glad Mittens lost.

5 votes

#3 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 2:53 PM EST

100Reddles

Someone in the article seems to be worried about something.

1 vote

#4 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 4:27 PM EST

SHEJ1440

When was the last time you heard of a car crash due to pot versus alcohol? Be for real! What I want to know is this..you have people who indulge in one state then move to a state that does not have legalized weed, you apply for a job and flunk the drug test....do you have to show a card to say hey I lived in Washington where it was legal, but in Kansas it is not..what about that situation..this legalized weed is a catch 22..

#5 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 4:42 PM EST

MG71

I have to call you out on this one i work on plenty of stoner vehicles that pull out in front or rear end other cars because of delayed reaction times.it impairs your reaction times just like booze or a cell phone.if you want to light up go ahead but don't say its safe.

#5.1 - Thu Nov 15, 2012 11:07 AM EST

Justin-2612491

Wait... what are we talking about again?

1 vote

#6 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 6:04 PM EST

LiitleI56

While in general pot is safe for the majority of users. There are a small minority that suffer from cannabinoid hyperemesis. While many pro users will slam this symptom as being BS, I know it happens. Google it and read the studies. I had been using Medical Marijuana for 8 years. The episodes came at first in intervals of several months. Shortly before quitting it, I was having these attacks every couple of weeks. I quit shortly before seeing a Gastroenterologist who had just come from UCLA and was the first Doctor I had seen, that confirmed my suspicions and had a Medical diagnosis.

As I stated before, this seems to be only in a very small number of users. Now that it is legal in these States, the Health experts will see just exactly what percentage of users might be effected.

As a pro marijuana ex-user. The one thing that concerns me is that most new users will have at least one bad experience with pot. It seems like a right of passage. As a youth, I remember when myself and friends would experience a bad trip. Usually a feeling of paranoia and panic sets in. Seems like it usually was a one time experience and old timers would bring you down telling you to, "maintain man, just maintain." I quit as a young adult and stopped for over 17 years until seeking relief from a medical issue I returned to using it.

The Medical marijuana of today is not your Grandmas dope. A much better grade and quality high. Enjoy! I'll just have to be envious. Be Safe!!!

2 votes

#7 - Fri Nov 9, 2012 2:26 AM EST

Pat Shanevia Facebook

Estimates show that marijuana is America’s number one cash crop. However, marijuana remains untaxed. This is a new source of income for our nation, an income we desperately need. Over 500 of the nation’s top economic professors have shared their opinion in supporting the removing the prohibition and imposing the taxation and regulation of marijuana as a way to slow the federal deficit. Ending marijuana prohibition would save the US $7.7 BILLION annually. That is nearly as much as Congress’ proposed Budget Control Act. Think of the jobs it would create, the court time I would save and the jail space it would free up for actual criminals. Sign the petition below.

#8 - Fri Nov 9, 2012 1:52 PM EST

SportsFan-5639401

Rachael,

Where did you go to school? (your use of "wither" vs whether)... sorry, but that crap irks me, especially from published articles/literature. That is not misspelling... it is education.

#9 - Sat Nov 10, 2012 11:43 AM EST

One body. One mind. That's what each of us gets to last a lifetime. Get the critical news and views to keep yours healthy, sharp -- and safe.

New pot laws will be a public health experiment

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