There are some severe public well being issues in regards to the legalization of marijuana, however they’re most likely not what you would possibly anticipate.
Regarding marijuana legalization, “opinions range from regarding this as a landmark human rights advance granting access to a miracle medication, to one of a disastrous, anarchic profiteering sham.” Most could agree, although, that the trillion-dollar conflict on weed has been a failed coverage, “a vehicle for the hideous expression of American society’s racism,” diverting regulation enforcement assets away from violent crime, but having “no appreciable effect on the availability of illegal drugs.” Yes, legalization would possibly free up regulation enforcement, however opponents “argue that it will increase marijuana use among youth”—not as a result of they couldn’t get it earlier than, however as a result of legalization “will make marijuana more available at a cheaper price and reduce the perceived risks of its use.” Less costly and extra socially acceptable. In different phrases, the argument goes, take into consideration the kids.
What occurred in states like Washington and Colorado after they legalized marijuana? Among teenagers in Washington state, “perceived harmfulness of marijuana use decreased and marijuana use increased,” doubling from 2 to 4 %. In distinction, there was no change in Colorado, however, presumably, that’s as a result of Colorado had 5 years of commercialized medical marijuana earlier than leisure use turned authorized. And, certainly, with the unique liberalization in Colorado, perceptions of danger amongst teenagers dropped greater than elsewhere and charges of dependence went up, as you possibly can see at 1:24 in my video Will Cannabis Turn Into Big Tobacco?.
“A frequently cited concern with legalization is that it will allow the rise of Big Cannabis, similar to Big Tobacco and Big Alcohol.” After the hashish business efficiently beat again pesticide rules in Colorado, public well being advocates skilled a sense of déjà vu attempting to “mitigate the adverse public health consequences” within the face of an business that simply “aims to maximise profit.”
The greatest concern, nonetheless, is probably not Big Cannabis turning into Big Tobacco, however somewhat Big Tobacco turning into Big Cannabis. “Marijuana legalization advocates have not considered the potential effects of the multinational tobacco companies entering the market,” and, certainly, inside memos present that Big Tobacco has simply been ready within the wings for the appropriate time to strike. The indisputable fact that Big Tobacco created cigarettes, maybe the main trigger of preventable dying on the planet, reveals how a lot they care about folks in comparison with earnings—so that ought to elevate some crimson flags.
Big Tobacco is anticipated to revenue from marijuana legalization whether or not or not it takes over, although, as frequent hashish use is a predictor of future cigarette habit. “For teen non-smokers…weekly cannabis use in the teens predicted a more than eightfold increase in the odds of later initiation of tobacco use”—shifting from simply joints to joints and cigarettes. This could also be as a result of “tobacco is mixed commonly with cannabis in large part to ensure it burns more smoothly. Thus, cannabis use may indirectly bring exposure to tobacco,” which can be seven or eight instances extra addictive than hashish.
Or, it could simply be that teenagers who use marijuana hang around extra with a crowd that tends to smoke extra cigarettes. But, even after controlling for peer use, hashish does nonetheless appear to be a gateway drug to tobacco, maybe as a solution to take care of hashish withdrawal. Either approach, “one of the most potentially harmful and under-appreciated effects of cannabis use is the ‘reverse gateway’”—that it could result in nicotine habit, which wipes out almost 5 million lives yearly, about 24 instances greater than all unlawful medication mixed.
For extra on hashish, try my whole video collection on marijuana right here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The marijuana legalization debate options opinions starting from it being “a landmark human rights advance granting access to a miracle medication, to one of a disastrous, anarchic profiteering sham.” Opponents additionally argue it’ll enhance hashish use amongst younger folks by making it cheaper and extra socially acceptable.
- After legalization in Washington state, marijuana use amongst teenagers elevated and “perceived harmfulness” decreased. In Colorado, medical marijuana was legalized 5 years earlier than leisure use, and perceptions of danger of use amongst teenagers dropped whereas charges of dependence went up with the unique liberalization.
- A typical concern with legalization is the attainable rise of Big Cannabis, like Big Alcohol and Big Tobacco, however a bigger concern could also be Big Tobacco turning into Big Cannabis.
- Frequent use of hashish is a predictor of future cigarette habit. Indeed, weekly marijuana use in non-cigarette-smoking teenagers predicted a greater than eightfold enhance within the odds of later utilizing tobacco, which can be seven or eight instances extra addictive than hashish.
- Even after controlling for peer use, it seems that hashish does nonetheless appear to be a gateway drug to tobacco. In truth, “one of the most potentially harmful and under-appreciated effects of cannabis use is the ‘reverse gateway’”—resulting in nicotine habit, which takes almost 5 million lives yearly, about 24 instances greater than all unlawful medication mixed.
In well being,
Michael Greger, M.D.
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