Medical marijuana law made sense, but we’re not ready to widen it to recreational use

Boston Globe Letter to the Editor

The Massachusetts 2016 ballot measures proposed legalizing recreational marijuana for individuals at least 21 years old. In this letter to the editor President Covino points out that there has been evidence of the negative impacts of THC and warns against recreational marijuana use priming “young” brains to develop an appetite for subsequent drug use. It was published on October 22, 2016. View the full article on The Boston Globe’s website.

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OUR COMMONWEALTH has taken important steps forward with regard to the law and marijuana. The appalling number of people jailed for violations of marijuana laws made decriminalization requisite. The research that finds 25 percent reductions in opioid overdose in states with medical marijuana laws, and the compelling benefits for patients with pain and other conditions, appropriately encouraged Massachusetts to follow suit with such a law in 2012.

Inconclusive research about marijuana’s role as a so-called gateway to drug abuse and addiction allows a divergence of opinions about how to vote on Question 4. However, the evidence of the negative impact of THC on attention, memory, mood, and educational performance; studies that suggest marijuana use among adolescents can “prime” young brains to develop an appetite for subsequent drug use; and the unknown safety issues associated with increased availability are not baseless fears. They should make us quite cautious about taking this next step. I advocate voting “no” on Question 4.

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