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 In an update to its 2004 position statement on the matter, the
American Academy of Pediatrics also calls for decriminalization of
marijuana to lessen the lasting effects of criminal charges brought
against youths – especially minorities.
While it doesn’t support legalization, the Academy says the
penalties for being caught with the substance should be reduced
because a criminal record can have a lasting impact on people’s
lives, causing them to have trouble getting jobs, housing and loans
for education.
Decriminalization of marijuana “takes this whole issue out of the
criminal justice system and puts it into the health system, where it
really should be,” said Dr. Seth Ammerman, the statement’s lead
author from Stanford University in California.
“What that would look like - we hope – (is) if you’re found to be in
possession of marijuana as a kid, instead of going to jail, juvenile
hall or getting some sort of record, you’d be put in some sort of
diversion or treatment program,” Ammerman told Reuters Health.
But while people often say marijuana is as benign as alcohol for
adults, Ammerman said it’s the Academy’s position that the same is
not true for children and adolescents.
“It’s not benign for youth,” he said. “It may be benign for adults,
but the Academy feels strongly that alcohol is not benign for youths
either.”
The statement says the negative effects of marijuana on adolescents
are well documented, including impaired short-term memory and
decreased concentration and problem solving.
Marijuana also affects motor control, which may contribute to deaths
or injuries through traffic and other accidents. There are also more
recent questions as to whether early use of the substance affects
the brain.
“There has been some interesting brain development research that
shows the brain continues to develop into the mid-20s, and there is
some research in regular to heavy users that their brain development
is not normal,” Ammerman said.
While the organization is opposed to the legalization of marijuana
because of the potential harm to children and adolescents, it
supports studies of the effects of legalization, in states where
sale and possession are allowed, in order to inform future policies
and reduce use among youth.
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So far, Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Alaska and the District of
Columbia allow recreational sale and/or possession of marijuana by
adults. Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia allow
medical use of marijuana.
The Academy also opposes the legalization of marijuana for medical
uses that haven’t been evaluated through proper regulatory channels,
such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
One sticking point, according to Ammerman, is that many of the
ingredients in marijuana – known as cannabinoids – have not been
studied.
“There are over 200 - minimum if not more than that - and we know
very little about them,” he said. “These cannabinoids can have
therapeutic value, but there have been no studies in children or
adolescents.”
The statement does make an exception for children with a terminal
illness or debilitating disease, saying marijuana should remain an
option for them.
Ammerman said the Academy also recommends that parents not use
marijuana around their children.
“They really need to be careful about their use especially around
their kids and understand that kids’ brains are different than
adults and be good role models,” he said.
SOURCE: http://bit.ly/uFc4g2
Pediatrics, online January 26, 2015.
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