underscoring the incredible momentum to legalize marijuana is the misconception that the drug can’t hurt anybody. It can, especially young people.
The myth that marijuana is not habit-forming is constantly challenged by physicians. “There’s no question at all that marijuana is addictive,” Dr. Sharon Levy tells me. She is the director of the Adolescent Substance Abuse Program at Boston Children’s Hospital, one of a few programs designed to preemptively identify substance use problems in teens. At least 1 in 11 young adults who begin smoking will develop an addiction to marijuana, even more among those who use the more potent products that are entering the market.
Levy speaks of an 18-year-old patient who had started smoking marijuana several times a day in 10th grade, dropped out of high school, and been stealing money from her parents. “She and her family were at their wits’ end trying to find appropriate treatment in a health care system that doesn’t consider addiction to marijuana a serious problem,” Levy says. “We are simply not prepared for the fallout of marijuana legalization.”
The juvenile justice system is not enforcing laws against marijuana use by juveniles since the prevailing view is that punishment is more harmful than possible brain damage. Studies show that marijuana harms adolescent brains which are developing. Symptoms included lack of focus and ambition which can lead to truancy. Truancy is a major cause of criminal activity among young people.
That can’t be true. It’s proponents say that “It”s the most harmless drug ever!!!!” Surely they can’t be wrong?