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| Medical Marijuana No Influence on Teen Use |
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Posted by CN Staff on September 06, 2005 at 15:51:15 PT By Todd Zwillich Source: United Press International 
Washington, D.C. -- Teens in the handful of states allowing medical marijuana are no more likely to use the drug than those in other states, according to a study released Tuesday. The study shows widespread reductions in marijuana use have occurred generally at the same rate among all the states, including those allowing medical use. The study was funded and released by the Marijuana Policy Project, a group backing medical-marijuana efforts nationwide. The group said its findings belie Bush administration claims that medical-marijuana laws send youth a mixed message that helps to encourage drug use. Ten states currently allow patients with certain medical conditions to use marijuana under the supervision of a physician. Overall, the United States has seen a decrease in marijuana's popularity among teenagers since 2000, after a prolonged increase in use during the 1990s. For example, compared with 1996, about 43 percent fewer 8th graders and 9 percent fewer 12th graders reported they had used the drug in the past 30 days in 2003. California became the first state to permit medical-marijuana use in 1996. At the same time, past-month use dropped by half among the state's 9th graders and by one-quarter among 11th graders, according to the report, which analyzed federal and state statistics. Approximately one-fifth of California's high school juniors now acknowledge using marijuana within the last month. Other states with medical-marijuana laws also saw varying reductions in youth marijuana use. Past-month use by 12th graders in Washington state was down 32 percent since a medical-marijuana law was enacted in 1998, though rates dropped only 12 percent among Maine's high school seniors since a similar law was passed there in 1999. Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada and Oregon also allow some medical marijuana, and all showed some reductions in youth use since the laws were passed. Montana and Vermont have enacted similar laws, but they did so too recently to detect any trends, the researchers said. Several other states are considering measures allowing the use of marijuana by patients, backed by some evidence the drug can ease a variety of health problems, including pain, nausea and weight loss caused by cancer, as well as AIDS and glaucoma. Bush administration drug officials have consistently fought the laws, stressing that such measures undermine efforts to persuade youth that marijuana is a dangerous drug. "Contrary to the fears expressed by opponents of medical-marijuana laws, there is no evidence that the enactment of 10 state medical-marijuana laws has produced an increase in adolescent marijuana use in those states or nationwide," the MPP study concluded. "Opponents of medical marijuana laws should cease making such unsubstantiated claims." Mitch Earleywine, one of the study's investigators, told United Press International the results show medical-marijuana laws have not stopped or slowed progress against illegal drug use in the eight states studied. "Use is clearly decreasing regardless of medical marijuana laws," said Earleywine, an associate professor of psychology at the State University of New York at Albany. Tom Riley, a spokesman for the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, said in a statement that youth drug use has fallen largely because of increased perception among teens that drugs are dangerous. "Misleading messages that harmful substances are somehow 'good for them' send teens exactly the wrong message," Riley said. His statement did not directly address the study's state-by-state findings. Earlier this year the U.S. Supreme Court ruled federal anti-drug agencies have the right to enforce nationwide bans on marijuana, even in states that allow medical use. The ruling was seen as a victory for the Bush administration, but it did not prevent states from enacting new medical-marijuana measures. Todd Zwillich covers healthcare matters for UPI. Source: United Press International (Wire) Marijuana Policy Project CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archives Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #23 posted by FoM on September 06, 2005 at 20:09:28 PT |
| I got it with Nero. I don't know why it didn't work with Real or Windows Media. Something about a codec. PS: I really enjoyed Episode #5 of Weeds last night. Great show! [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #22 posted by FoM on September 06, 2005 at 20:08:20 PT |
| I got it with Nero. I don't know why it didn't work with Real or Windows Media. Something about a codec. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #21 posted by Dankhank on September 06, 2005 at 19:57:40 PT |
| WWOZ exile is working for me, now, hooked right up ... sounds pretty good for a 32Kbit stream ... [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #20 posted by FoM on September 06, 2005 at 19:50:44 PT |
| It didn't work for me. I tried Windows Media Player and Real Audio. Maybe it isn't working right now and that would be understandable. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #19 posted by Hope on September 06, 2005 at 19:40:04 PT |
| "Runderwo...what are you referencing?" *smile* Now I'm sure I'm not the only one who sometimes reads the comments before he reads the article. [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #18 posted by Jim Lunsford on September 06, 2005 at 19:24:43 PT:
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| Thanks, I told you I wasn't that smart! Thanks, I have perhaps Overmedicated tonight. :) [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #17 posted by potpal on September 06, 2005 at 19:21:28 PT |
| Like got dorked...
http://www.wwoz.org/exile.php That's ought to work. Runderwo...what are you referencing? [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #16 posted by E_Johnson on September 06, 2005 at 19:18:42 PT |
| The best way to keep teenagers from trying pot is to convince them that it is a medicine best used by old people with diseases. Teens are not afraid of dying, but diseases and old people give them the creeps. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #15 posted by potpal on September 06, 2005 at 19:18:15 PT |
| Jim, didn't necessarily mean 'spam' just lack of a better word for passing on good reads to friends and foe. I know where to write you now! FOM, WWOZ in exile...http://www.wwoz.org/exile.php...the beat goes on. Muzzic (and muzzicians) will play a major role in New Orleans recovery. It is its life blood. Windup radios ought to be included in any air drops. Give pot a chance. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #14 posted by runderwo on September 06, 2005 at 18:52:59 PT |
| I'm on MPP's 'monthly subscription' donation plan. Glad to see my money is being put to good use! And what an unbelievably lame rebuttal by Riley. Is that the best he can do? [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #13 posted by Jim Lunsford on September 06, 2005 at 18:46:39 PT |
| that I'm not that bright. I'd been going to the MAP site for a while, and as much time as I'd spent there, never noticed they were already promoting just that sort of campaign. Had only used them for finding news. But, at least I know it's being done already. Maybe a few more people (hopefully more intelligent) will begin looking. Thanks potpal, I'm not into spamming, but firstcannabistchurch@yahoo.com is no longer available to the public! Also, I guess that could go on a homepage somehere. Just wished I knew how to do all that stuff. Yech! I love the internet, but am such a know-nothing when it comes to how to use it. Peace all, Rev Jim Lunsford First Cannabist Church Compassion: It's just a choice [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #12 posted by potpal on September 06, 2005 at 18:32:37 PT |
| I found this faq page of LEAP and the answers a good read and worth memorizing if you haven't already...pass it on. http://leap.cc/howard/faq2.html [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #11 posted by FoM on September 06, 2005 at 18:32:12 PT |
| Thank you for the article. I appreciate it. PS: How are you doing? I know how much you like that one New Orleans radio station that is gone now. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #10 posted by FoM on September 06, 2005 at 18:23:28 PT |
| The most important thing to me is to care. Care for whatever reason that motivates an individual. Care to find another way if one way doesn't work that well. Then be flexible. Change, grow, listen and learn. Gain knowledge and share it and that is how we will grow and be strong and hold our heads up and be content with our efforts. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #9 posted by ekim on September 06, 2005 at 18:02:00 PT |
| Sep 7 05 Cowboy Cop Rides Through Fredonia 07:30 PM Howard Wooldridge Fredonia New York USA
LEAP's very own "Cowboy Cop" Howard Wooldridge passes through Fredonia and makes a stop at SUNY-Fredonia College as his cross country tour to end America's failed war on drugs winds down. Howard will be stopping to talk with students and local citizens about the impact that drug prohibition has on their local and national communities. To meet and listen to Howard, go to the Williams Center, 2nd Floor, Room S-104. Follow Howard on his journey at http://www.LEAP.cc/Howard Sep 7 05 WMSE Radio 91.7FM, Millwaukee School of Engineering 12:00 PM Howard Wooldridge Milwaukee Wisconsin USA Board Member Howard Wooldridge is a phone in guest to WMSE Radio 91.7 FM, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Howard will be discussing a variety of issues related to the failure of America's war on drugs. Issues such as mandatory minimum sentencing, the HEA Act's impact on college students, the break up of families and Howard's cross country horse back trip to end drug prohibition. Listen online at: http://www.wmse.org/main.php3 Follow Howard on his journey at: http://www.LEAP.cc/Howard [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #8 posted by potpal on September 06, 2005 at 18:00:47 PT |
| Seems the war on poverty quietly ended somewhere along the line. Who won? http://www.alternet.org/columnists/story/24991/ Pass out the pot. Let it grow. Jim, may also be beneficial to take the most meaningful articles you know/find and spam your world with them. The more the truth circulates the better...create a free yahoo email acct, like letthetruthbetold@yahoo.com and pass 'em on via that acct to anybody and everybody...can't hurt. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #7 posted by Jim Lunsford on September 06, 2005 at 17:58:31 PT |
| I understand and agree with you. Each person has a different way to wage peace. In fact, this site has been a springboard for my activism. The news and posts I've both read and responded to have helped to inspire me into a more activist role. In fact, it is because of the sheer numbers coming into this site, and it's open forum, that I came to this site to discuss the idea. I also understand that many people, who are far more organized and smarter than I am, have already created the audience and interest in becoming involved in this war. It is to those other people, the ones who believe they are powerless to DO anything, but are interested in becoming more involved, that I offered the idea. It was also for those who do write already. I figure most of the writings that I've read are better than anything I have written, but how many of those are never published because they were the lone letter responding. I figured with the number of people who visit this site everyday, there would be enough people interested in writing those letters. After all, if only 1% of those wrote a letter a week, it would still be an enormous amount of email. However, I always like to think of the possibilities over the probabilities, so the upper limit of 80% support for medical marijuana is the number I think of while "advertising" this idea. Hey, if a reverend ain't got a hard job of selling, then I don't know who does! When you selling the thought of the big guy (or whatever you choose to call that concept) you gotta really go big on the sales pitch. lol Thank you again FOM, I'm hoping you see why my letters probably will never be published, as I know I always have a hard time getting my point across in these postings! ;) Rev Jim Lunsford First Cannabist Church Compassion: It's just a thought [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #6 posted by FoM on September 06, 2005 at 17:37:07 PT |
| I am not into writing LTEs but keep my mind on cannabis related news. I believe CNews has been and hopefully will continue to be a spring board to different forms of activism. I think activism is broad and useful no matter what a person finds to do. The main thing is for people to do what they feel is important to them as an individual. That way the enthusiasm is the driving part. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #5 posted by Jim Lunsford on September 06, 2005 at 17:29:02 PT |
| Thanks FOM. I realize many do, in fact I only started writing them after I remembered that Jose has written quite a few. What I was suggesting was more of an organized movement of letter writing. I guess an internet version of marching. As I said, it is the numbers that matter. I figure mine may never get published, but that if enough people wrote, then it would have helped another voice get through. Sort of a way to get their attention with an overloaded opinion email box. Then, some of the good writers out here could be heard. I figured some of these minds out here could figure out how to do such a thing. Thanks FOM, and thanks potpal as well, those links are all weapons in our war against us. The more the merrier! Rev Jim Lunsford First Cannabist Church Compassion: It's just a choice [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #4 posted by FoM on September 06, 2005 at 17:16:41 PT |
| We have a number of people here on CNews who write LTEs. It's a good thing. DrugSense and Mapinc. are the ones that host CNews. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #3 posted by Jim Lunsford on September 06, 2005 at 17:11:41 PT |
| This is a great post, showing the insanity of our drug war, and clearly demonstrates how much of it is based on lies. Ain't it great? One day we can tell our grandkids that we were here when we repealed prohibition! But, that's only the result of what's to come. At least in my opinion.
I know this war is fought on many fronts. And that victory is coming, but I just want to contribute as much as I can. I also know that there are a lot of people out there who want to do more as well, but don't know how. Lately I've taken to visiting the MAP site. I'm sure many of you know the site, but here is the site for those who don't: http://www.mapinc.org/resource/. They have a drug news link which just pulls in drug news of all kinds from around the world. While there, I just started emailing letters to the editor. Why not? And then I thought, what if everyone who says they believed in cannabis prohibition, but thought they had no say, wrote as well? I'm not sure what the effect would be, but if everyone who believes in the repeal of the War Against Us laws, were to write just one email just once a week, it would have to make a difference. And they would be printed if enough people wrote them. Newspapers aren't idiots, they know their customer base. I know I have more time on my hands than most people, but I also know it doesn't take that long to write out an email. No matter how little thought is taken in the nicities of grammer in their composition, it is still a letter to the editor. And it is also your vote. Besides, it is the number that is more important than any quality. It is the number of "active" citizens that matter. I understand this idea isn't the only one, just one of many. But, for those who believe they are powerless, I wanted to offer an opportunity for you to understand how you are not. I hope this idea is a good one, and that if it is, some of you could help improve upon it. As for me, I have enough spare time on my hand that I can do this, and other stuff as well. Peace Rev Jim Lunsford First Cannabist Church Compassion: It's just a choice [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #2 posted by potpal on September 06, 2005 at 16:34:44 PT |
| http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article10093.htm http://www.canofun.com/blog/videos/JeffersonParishonMTPviaDU.wmv [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by FoM on September 06, 2005 at 15:55:02 PT |
| I've been paying attention to what the different organization are doing and I must say that the stand that MPP is taking is one that I understand. I've only realized that lately and I thank them for their work. [ Post Comment ] |
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