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Colorado -- Marijuana, like alcohol, is an intoxicant. With Amendment 44 on Colorados ballot this November, talk has focused on whether issues related to the drug would worsen if the proposal passes.
According to the American Medical Association, marijuana can cause impairment of short-term memory, attention, motor skills, reaction time and organization of complex information. A 2001 report issued by the AMA concerning the pros and cons of medical marijuana (now legal in Colorado) found that 4 to 9 percent of marijuana users meet the diagnostic criteria for substance dependence.
It is true that tolerance and dependence, the two factors indicating physical addiction, dont develop as quickly or as intensely with marijuana as they do with other drugs, Montrose clinical psychologist Nicholas Taylor said.
However, it is important to note that addiction is a parallel experience involving both physical and psychological factors.
Taylor didnt have an opinion on Amendment 44, a measure that would decriminalize the possession of less than one ounce of marijuana by adults over 21 (see related story), but spoke generally of pots addictive qualities.
He said that while heavy marijuana use may not lead to severe withdrawal tendencies and cravings, its frequent use to deal with stress can make it hard for people to cope without at least a little bit of the drug. People also use alcohol the same way, Taylor said.
When it comes to marijuana, regardless the legality of any substance alcohol and prescription drugs included it can be psychologically addictive if misused to accomplish a mental state or mood the person is not able to, or is unwilling to accomplish on their own.
Amendment 44 supporter Mason Tvert said alcohol was far more devastating than marijuana, but legal for adults to consume. Tvert is part of Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation Colorado.
We dont encourage them to do it (pot), but the fact is, its out there. As adults, were faced with many choices. We simply think adults should be allowed to make the rational, safer choice to use marijuana rather than alcohol.
Additionally, he said its marijuanas illegal status, not its addictive properties, that create the perception that its a gateway drug.
People dont refer to alcohol or tobacco as illegal. But when millions of people use marijuana, were forcing them into an illegal market where they have other illegal substance available.
Opponents said SAFER hadnt offered any proof that marijuana is less harmful than other drugs. Several organizations have come out against Amendment 44 because they believe it will harm children.
Jeffrey Sweetin, agent in charge of the federal Drug Enforcement Administrations Rocky Mountain Division said criminalizing alcohol for those under 21 hadnt stopped them from abusing the substance. (As a federal agency, the DEA does not take official positions on legislation.)
Using the alcohol example is one piece of evidence that things that are legal for adults become very interesting to kids.
He pointed to Alaska, which had decriminalized pot for adults, but saw an increase in use and addiction rates for teenagers.
All of a sudden, we say its legal for adults. Were sending those kids the message, Were wrong; its not harmful. Were really at the edge of sending our kids a very dangerous message and that is that its a safe drug.
But Tvert said the present system isnt keeping marijuana from kids. He reported that 86 percent of surveyed high school students said it was easy to get marijuana, while others were under the mistaken perception that smoking marijuana once a week was more risky than binge drinking.
If theyre so concerned about kids using marijuana, we need to take all the resources were wasting on adults, he said. Clearly, the systems not working right now. We do not think anyone under 21 should use marijuana, but we do need to tell the truth about it.
Complete Title: Safer or Not? Amendment 44 Prompts Questions About Pot
Source: Montrose Daily Press (CO)
Published: Friday, September 22, 2006
Copyright: 2006 Montrose Daily Press
According to the American Medical Association, marijuana can cause impairment of short-term memory, attention, motor skills, reaction time and organization of complex information. A 2001 report issued by the AMA concerning the pros and cons of medical marijuana (now legal in Colorado) found that 4 to 9 percent of marijuana users meet the diagnostic criteria for substance dependence.
It is true that tolerance and dependence, the two factors indicating physical addiction, dont develop as quickly or as intensely with marijuana as they do with other drugs, Montrose clinical psychologist Nicholas Taylor said.
However, it is important to note that addiction is a parallel experience involving both physical and psychological factors.
Taylor didnt have an opinion on Amendment 44, a measure that would decriminalize the possession of less than one ounce of marijuana by adults over 21 (see related story), but spoke generally of pots addictive qualities.
He said that while heavy marijuana use may not lead to severe withdrawal tendencies and cravings, its frequent use to deal with stress can make it hard for people to cope without at least a little bit of the drug. People also use alcohol the same way, Taylor said.
When it comes to marijuana, regardless the legality of any substance alcohol and prescription drugs included it can be psychologically addictive if misused to accomplish a mental state or mood the person is not able to, or is unwilling to accomplish on their own.
Amendment 44 supporter Mason Tvert said alcohol was far more devastating than marijuana, but legal for adults to consume. Tvert is part of Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation Colorado.
We dont encourage them to do it (pot), but the fact is, its out there. As adults, were faced with many choices. We simply think adults should be allowed to make the rational, safer choice to use marijuana rather than alcohol.
Additionally, he said its marijuanas illegal status, not its addictive properties, that create the perception that its a gateway drug.
People dont refer to alcohol or tobacco as illegal. But when millions of people use marijuana, were forcing them into an illegal market where they have other illegal substance available.
Opponents said SAFER hadnt offered any proof that marijuana is less harmful than other drugs. Several organizations have come out against Amendment 44 because they believe it will harm children.
Jeffrey Sweetin, agent in charge of the federal Drug Enforcement Administrations Rocky Mountain Division said criminalizing alcohol for those under 21 hadnt stopped them from abusing the substance. (As a federal agency, the DEA does not take official positions on legislation.)
Using the alcohol example is one piece of evidence that things that are legal for adults become very interesting to kids.
He pointed to Alaska, which had decriminalized pot for adults, but saw an increase in use and addiction rates for teenagers.
All of a sudden, we say its legal for adults. Were sending those kids the message, Were wrong; its not harmful. Were really at the edge of sending our kids a very dangerous message and that is that its a safe drug.
But Tvert said the present system isnt keeping marijuana from kids. He reported that 86 percent of surveyed high school students said it was easy to get marijuana, while others were under the mistaken perception that smoking marijuana once a week was more risky than binge drinking.
If theyre so concerned about kids using marijuana, we need to take all the resources were wasting on adults, he said. Clearly, the systems not working right now. We do not think anyone under 21 should use marijuana, but we do need to tell the truth about it.
Complete Title: Safer or Not? Amendment 44 Prompts Questions About Pot
Source: Montrose Daily Press (CO)
Published: Friday, September 22, 2006
Copyright: 2006 Montrose Daily Press