The compassionate case against cannabis

Recently I have observed a disturbing trend in local, state, and national stories making the case for changing views about Cannabis (marijuana) use. I have worked in the field of substance abuse in the corridor area for the past 20 years listening to thousands of Cannabis users. Some people who used it once and others that use it multiple times each day.

Today I will offer compassionate reasons why this would be detrimental to the future of this great state. Please consider the following a partial list of what to expect if there is continued casualness toward the use of Cannabis.

' Increased workplace violations and errors

' Decreased productivity with obligations at work and home

' Increased relapse for those already in recovery for other substances

' Exacerbated and intensified symptoms associated with mild and severe mental health issues

' Increased impairment in our community in general

' Increased tolerance to the effects of cannabis

' Decreased positive social, occupation, and recreational activities

' Increased experimentation with other substances like cocaine, meth, and heroin.

' Increased emergency rooms visits from synthetic cannabis use

' Increased impaired driving incidents and potential accidents

' Increased number of young children, adolescents, teens exposed to marijuana leading to addiction

' Increased referrals to Department of Human Services for child endangerment

' Increased risky/poor parental decision making impacting children

' Decreased academic achievement for adolescents and teens

' Increased social and interpersonal problems

' Increased financial stress

' Increased legal stress

' Increased memory loss

' Increased unemployment or underemployment

' Increased relationship discord

' Increased high risk behaviors that are physically hazardous including sexual promiscuity, sensation seeking activities, and potential accidents/injuries

Is the list above worth it to use Cannabis for headaches, stress relief, nausea, or pain? This is for each individual to decide of their own free will. Cannabis is a Food and Drug Administration Schedule I substance. Go to fda.gov to read the three qualifications for substances to be placed in Schedule I.

In 2013 The American Medical Association voted to 'reaffirm its opposition to marijuana legalization” and has retained the following position - 'Cannabis is a dangerous drug and as such is a public health concern.” Cannabis is not a controlled product, it's unreliable, and you do not know what you are getting considering potency and laced substances intentionally added by drug dealers.

Nearly all people who use marijuana do so to get high, whether for fun or to cope with problems in their life. But unfortunately 'getting high” has been deemed synonymous with 'improved health” for common stress, Post-traumatic stress disorder, seizures, pain, depression, anger, or anxiety - I am not sure how that happened? Nothing could be further from the truth. Being impaired does not equate with medically treating symptoms or diseases. I would also caution you on what you Google about Cannabis. There is a lot of fraudulent information on the Internet.

Should sentencing guidelines for non-violent offenders with small amounts of Cannabis be re-evaluated? I think this is a discussion worth having. Our jails and prisons have been over capacity for a long time and many people would benefit from this relief.

Finally, the negative impact Cannabis has had on our society is not comparable to tobacco and alcohol. Alcohol far and away has a greater negative influence on more people and for many more years than Cannabis. Professionally, I see us at a defining moment with Cannabis like we were with alcohol 80 years ago. Compassionately, I hope we do not allow the same thing to happen with Cannabis.

' Matt Rocca is UnityPoint Health St. Luke's Hospital Chemical Dependency Services program manager. Comments: matthew.rocca@unitypoint.org