Legalization of Recreational Marijuana in Massachusetts ...

Legalization of Recreational Marijuana in Massachusetts: The Facts

This November, with Question 4 on the ballot voters in Massachusetts will be asked whether to legalize marijuana. We believe that the answer is "no."

MOAR is a part of the Safe and Healthy Massachusetts campaign. The campaign is a growing coalition of families, workers, businesses, health care and community leaders, prevention ? treatmentrecovery advocates, educators, and first responders who are opposing the legalization of the commercial marijuana industry in Massachusetts. We believe that before any substance is legalized we must examine the facts. In the case of Question 4, we believe that the facts are very clear:

Since becoming the first state to legalize, Colorado has also become the #1 state in the nation for teen marijuana use. Use by teens aged 12-17 jumped by over 12% in the two years since legalization, even as that rate declined nationally.1

Marijuana use during adolescence is especially damaging in terms of impaired cognitive function, including memory, learning deficits and lower IQs, all of which can persist into adulthood. Despite this fact, the majority of high school seniors do not think regular marijuana smoking is harmful. In fact, only 36% believe that regular use puts the user at great risk compared to 52% five years ago. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, nearly 1 in 15 high school seniors use marijuana on a daily basis, while 21% of all 12th graders report using marijuana in the past month.2 More young people seek treatment for marijuana abuse or dependence than for use of alcohol and all other drugs.3

While using marijuana alone is unlikely to be life threatening at any age, it can cause serious problems. Numerous studies have linked marijuana use to mental health problems including increased rates of anxiety, mood and psychotic thought disorders. Marijuana use is also associated with relationship problems, poor academic performance, employment issues and lower life satisfaction. Because of the increased potency of present day marijuana, these problems are much more significant for today's users.

While many argue against the notion of marijuana being a so-called "gateway drug," individuals with a drug addiction usually began with readily available substances like marijuana, tobacco, or alcohol. Most individuals with a drug addiction say that once they chose to smoke marijuana, the decision to progress to other drugs came much easier. Who can be certain which marijuana users will progress to more serious drug use? And more importantly, why take that chance?

Contrary to common belief, marijuana can be addictive. Research suggests that about 9 percent of all users become addicted and that, among those who start young, the percentage is closer to 17 percent--or one in six.4

Massachusetts has already decriminalized marijuana possession and authorized medical marijuana. People are not being jailed for marijuana use, and have access to it for health reasons. This ballot question is about allowing the national marijuana industry to come into Massachusetts and market and sell marijuana products in our communities.

Commercial legalization has led to more fatal car crashes. In Washington, the number of fatal car crashes involving marijuana doubled in the one year since legalization.

The marijuana edibles market is dangerous for kids, and a huge part of the commercial industry's profit model. Marijuana infused products such as candies, cookies, and "cannabis cola" account for nearly 50% of the sales in Colorado, and that number is growing. These products are often indistinguishable from traditional products and attractive to children, placing them at significant risk of accidental use.

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The proposed tax on marijuana sales is 10.0%, just 3.75% above the current sales tax of 6.25%. Colorado and Washington have tax rates of 27% and 44% respectively. The 10% proposed tax rate will result in higher profits for marijuana merchants.

Governor Baker, Attorney General Maura Healy and Boston Mayor Martin Walsh oppose the legalization of marijuana stating in a letter to the Boston Globe "For the past year, our teams have worked tirelessly, together and with our partners across Massachusetts, to combat the heroin and prescription-drug epidemic that is ravaging our state. Our emergency departments and drug treatment centers are beyond capacity, and our first responders are stretched to their limits. We should not be expanding access to a drug that will further drain our health and safety resources."

There is no designation for how the additional taxes collected will be used. Presumably, a substantial amount of the tax revenue will be utilized to monitor the industry which will require a new bureaucracy. There is no requirement to invest in prevention and treatment services which will certainly be needed.

The potency rates of cultivated marijuana exceed 20% THC and continue to climb. These THC levels far exceed historic levels of marijuana and pose greater danger to consumers.

For these reasons, our position on this proposed legislation is to oppose the legalization of recreational marijuana in Massachusetts.

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