Pot and public health
Since January 1, the sale and recreational use of marijuana has been legal in Colorado, and more than $15 million in taxes and fees have been raised from sales. The question now is not whether marijuana use will be legal but how the new industry should be regulated. From a public health standpoint, it clearly needs regulating.
Many problems arise from the variety of forms in which marijuana is sold. A fourth-grader recently came to school with a marijuana-laced chocolate bar to share with his friends. He had stolen the candy from his grandmother. Hospitals and emergency rooms report seeing a growing number of children and adults who—perhaps inadvertently—had eaten marijuana-laced cookies or candy. There have been 31 explosions in Colorado so far this year from people cooking marijuana with butane in their homes in order to extract the mind-altering chemical THC from the plant. This is three times the number of explosions in the previous year, when recreational use was not legal.
Steps to ensure public health and safety can be taken. For example, rules can be set for how THC-infused edibles are produced and packaged and to limit the amount of THC permissible in any product. Edibles with THC should not be allowed if they look like candy. Policy makers also need to regulate how marijuana is advertised and marketed. Some rules are needed to prevent advertisers from targeting children.
