In a press release issued on Tuesday, Drug Free Jackson (formerly known as the Jackson County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition) passed a resolution opposing the legalization of marijuana for recreational and/or general use in Jackson County communities.
The coalition’s resolution focuses on the health and societal risks associated with the legalization of marijuana for general use.
Emma Sigman, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist and Most Teens Don’t Coordinator, notes the importance of this resolution. “Especially concerning is the impact legalization of recreational marijuana could have on youth use rates. In addition, youth marijuana use can result in lowered academic achievement as well as lowered likelihood to graduate from high school and maintain employment later in life.” Sigman said in the press release.
Richard Thoune, Health Officer for the Jackson County Health Department stated in the release, “The adverse health effects that correlate with marijuana use include a number of cancers and cardiovascular effects. There are also adverse neurological, cognitive, and mental health effects associated with use, including psychotic symptoms in adolescent and young adults, impaired learning in adolescents, impaired memory, hallucinations, paranoia, delusional beliefs and schizophrenia.”
The Drug Free Jackson Coordinator Sarah Allison notes that health risks are not the only consequences of legalization. She is quoted in the release, “There are also societal and economic implications associated with marijuana legalization. States where marijuana is legal have seen increases in marijuana hospitalizations, drugged driving incidents, arrest rates and criminal activity as well as a decrease in property value.”
Drug Free Jackson is working with Healthy and Productive Michigan, The Michigan Prevention Association, and Smart Approaches to Marijuana to educate citizens of Jackson County on the dangers of consuming marijuana for general use.
