This fall, South Dakotans are being asked to vote for the third time on whether to approve recreational marijuana use (medical marijuana use was approved in 2020). In the past, the proposition has been approved, declared unconstitutional, and then rejected by voters.
So what should we think? What are the facts? Is marijuana safe? Does marijuana use lead to hard drugs? What about smoking marijuana during pregnancy? Does marijuana use increase the risk of other diseases?
On each of these questions, we have information and many opinions. Unfortunately, the reality is that there are no clear answers. Despite decades of experience, there is still a serious lack of reliable, scientifically valid research that defines the effects of marijuana on the human body.
Until now, marijuana has been classified by the federal government as a Schedule 1 drug, meaning it has no valid medical use, which means it’s essentially inaccessible to medical researchers interested in better defining marijuana’s risks and benefits. Now, the federal government is proposing to reclassify marijuana to Schedule 3, which would make it more accessible to researchers and provide better data about its safety and effectiveness to the public.
But even without these changes, there are some legitimate research findings. Until now, the general impression has been that marijuana use is relatively safe, but new information raises real concerns about its safety.
Despite decades of experience, there is still a serious lack of reliable, scientifically valid research defining the effects of marijuana on the human body.
The American Heart Association recently published findings showing that marijuana use, especially long-term use, is associated with an increased risk of both heart disease and stroke. A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that marijuana use during pregnancy, especially if continued throughout the pregnancy, is associated with adverse outcomes. Teen marijuana use has been linked to an increased incidence of psychiatric disorders. It is not clear whether marijuana is actually the causative agent in these situations.
The main explanation for these seemingly contradictory reports is that the drug itself has changed. Marijuana available on the market today is significantly more potent than what was available in the past, both legal and illegal. But has it become more dangerous because it is more potent? Again, this is a serious question and more reliable research is needed to make responsible decisions.
Does smoking marijuana lead to the use of more dangerous “hard” drugs? Research has shown that users of dangerous drugs such as heroin and fentanyl are very likely to have previously used marijuana. It is unclear whether the shift to harder drugs is a direct result of marijuana use or simply represents an evolution in people seeking more intense experiences.
Measuring the true economic impact of marijuana legalization is a complex challenge. Lawmakers are attracted to the potential for new tax revenues, but also have growing concerns about increased social service and law enforcement costs. The current ballot proposition does not include guidance on these issues. If the bill passes, rules governing distribution and tax structures would need to be developed in the next legislative session.
So what does this mean? Recent studies have raised questions about whether marijuana use carries risks that have not been fully understood or evaluated until now. In my opinion, we need to proceed slowly before allowing widespread use of a substance whose consequences are not yet fully defined.
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