MARIJUANA POTENCY INFORMATION MISLEADING

To the editor:

Last fall, over 60 percent of Marblehead voters recognized parents are the
best protection against adolescent drug abuse when they voted in favor of
making possession of marijuana a civil violation and requiring police to
hold a person under 18 cited for possession until the person is released to
a parent or legal guardian or brought before a judge.

So, I was shocked to learn that Michael Nerney told the audience "today's
marijuana is far stronger than it used to be," calling modern marijuana and
its use "an entirely different plant in a significantly younger brain."

This statement is factually inaccurate and misleading. Although
marijuana-potency data compiled by the University of Mississippi's Research
Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences does show an increase in marijuana's
strength through the years, this increase is not nearly as dramatic as
represented at the forum. Exceptionally strong strains of marijuana, like
the legendary Panama Red and Acapulco Gold, are inordinately expensive,
comprise a small percentage of the overall marijuana market, and are seldom
used by the population at large - particularly school-age children.

Neither is more potent marijuana necessarily more dangerous. Marijuana
poses no risk of fatal overdose, regardless of THC content. In addition,
studies indicate that marijuana smokers distinguish between high- and
low-potency marijuana and moderate their use accordingly, just as an
alcohol consumer would drink fewer ounces of scotch than they would ounces
of beer.

The persons who conduct these forums, as do all drug abuse educators, need
to realize the truth is more likely to effectuate a reduction in
adolescents engaging in risky behaviors. It is not necessary to mislead
parents into believing that most adolescents are engaging in drug use. It
is important to remind parents that as the best anti-drug they need to know
with whom and where there children are when they are not with us.

Attorney Steven S. Epstein

Spokesman

Massachusetts Cannabis

Reform Coalition/NORML