The Medical Marijuana Mess

The thin veneer of “medical” marijuana has been stripped away in Colorado, where stores originally providing remedies for patients have been quick to plaster themselves with new signs touting recreational use for all adults. (The signs above are among those I spotted this month in just one small town.) And while federal regulations and public pressure have largely kept alcohol and nicotine out of candy and other child-friendly, sugary products, the marijuana industry is moving in the opposite direction by offering an ever-widening array of pot-infused “edibles,” complete with approving coverage from mainstream media. There’s room for debate on just how harmful marijuana is, but it definitely is harmful, especially to the developing brains of adolescents. Here’s my bottom line: marijuana should be decriminalized so that those who consume it for whatever purpose are not subject to arrest and imprisonment, with all the personal and societal costs that brings, but the widespread use of marijuana should not be encouraged. And that’s roughly where Massachusetts was before voters decided to legalize medical marijuana. I think we’re fooling ourselves in Massachusetts by going down the route of approving medical marijuana dispensaries. Early experience has already demonstrated that some unsavory characters and losers are drawn into the business. And with public opinion running toward legalization, we should expect these dispensaries ...
Source: Health Business Blog - Category: Health Managers Authors: Tags: Policy and politics colorado legalization of marijuana Massachusetts Source Type: blogs