PSYCHEDELIC AT 60

An increase in habitual marijuana use among U.S. adults overall is
troubling news -- but it gets downright unnerving when you break down
the data.

Over the past decade, according to government figures released
Tuesday, marijuana abuse or dependence has increased 22 percent among
adults in general. Yet when you narrow the field to those between 45
and 64, the rate increased by a stunning 355 percent.

As with so many other demographic anomalies, blame the baby boomers. A
lot of aging stoners apparently are little inclined to go gently into
that good night without their bongs or roach clips.

This isn't what Congress meant in supporting a drug benefit for the
elderly. Any drug addiction is bad. But considering the inevitable
physical decline that aging brings -- from slower reaction times to
poor night vision -- it could be especially dire for older abusers.
You don't want a bunch of toked up geriatrics rushing out in their
Buicks to cure the late-night munchies. For that matter, you don't
even want them ahead of you in the cafeteria checkout line, dazedly
fumbling for senior discount cards.

Turn on, tune in and drop out may have seemed cool in the psychedelic
'60s -- but it's a definite bummer in the arthritic 80s.