Cannabis–hemp OK, marijuana bad and getting worse

Editor:
 A column in the Weiser Signal American by Wayne Hoffman (Dec. 26) asserted (correctly) that the form of Cannabis sativa grown as hemp has many useful industrial and other commercial purposes and contains very small amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the principal psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. 
 In fact, if grown under strict conditions, its concentration is so low that it does not cause psychological and physiological detriments and isn’t even detectable in the user’s urine.
 Hemp does contain relatively large amounts of cannabidiol (CBD), which does not have psychoactive effects. 
 Marijuana, on the other hand, is taken from a different form of C. sativa and does have potentially harmful psychoactive and other effects.  
 Unfortunately, the article implies that we should not only legalize hemp in Idaho but, following the example of surrounding states, increase access to marijuana.
 There have been at least three articles in the scientifically peer reviewed literature in 2018 indicating that marijuana could be more harmful than public opinion believes.  
 An article in the “Journal of Clinical Psychiatry” in October found that even a week without marijuana use improves young people’s ability to learn and remember. 
 “The adolescent brain is undergoing significant neurodevelopment well into the 20s, and the regions that are the last to develop are those ... most populated by cannabis receptors and are also very critical to cognitive functioning,” according to Dr. Randi Schuster, director of neuropsychology at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Center for Addiction Medicine. 
 An article in the “Journal of the American Medical Association last August pointed out that THC exposure can adversely affect the developing fetal brain in terms of fetal and postnatal brain development, potentially adversely affecting fetal growth as well as structural and functional neurodevelopment. 
 Medical professionals should advise pregnant and lactating women to avoid cannabis use. (BTW, exposure to cannabis alters the genetic profile of sperm, according to an article in “Science Daily” from Duke University; whether genetic changes can be reversed or are passed on to children is still unknown.) 
 And an article in “JAMA Psychiatry” last June pointed out that “in adolescents, cannabis use is harmful” and that it directly increases the risk for psychosis in teens. (It is ironical that Mr. Hoffman’s article was next to one by Ms. Critchfield of the Idaho State Board of Education lamenting the increase in student difficulties caused by stress, grief, anxiety addiction, and peer relationships!)
 I do concur that there may be limited medicinal uses of THC, though these occur more rarely than commonly thought. 
 However, in such cases THC should be treated as a Schedule 2 drug (high potential for abuse leading to severe psychological or physical dependence) rather than Schedule 1 (no medical indication known). 
 But it would have to be prescribed individually, by someone with a medical license and DEA authorization, to make sure there was a specific indication for its use in a particular individual. 
 Finally, I see no reason at all why a potentially harmful drug that is legal for recreational use in Ontario, Ore., should obligate us to put the teens of Weiser at risk as well.
 Glen Reeves is a retired physician with board certifications in Therapeutic Radiology and Aerospace Medicine. He lives in Weiser.
 

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