Pubdate: Mon, 15 Jul 2013
Source: Seattle Times (WA)
Copyright: 2013 The Seattle Times Company
Contact:  http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/409
Author: Mason Tvert
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n330/a07.html

WATCHDOG GROUP ON EFFECT OF POT ON TEENS

Group Is Biased

A close eye should be kept on the "watchdog" group established by 
former Congressman Patrick Kennedy to monitor the effects of 
Washington's forthcoming legal marijuana market for adults. 
["Watchdog group to weigh effect on teens of legalized pot for 
adults," NW Thursday, July 11.]

A review of all the possible effects of the new law should be 
conducted. Yet Kennedy's group does not attempt to hide the fact that 
it is only looking for the pitfalls, and cannot imagine the 
possibility that this law, approved by 56 percent of voters, could 
actually have benefits.

Could use among teens decrease as it becomes harder for them to 
purchase? Will alcohol-related problems decline once adults have 
marijuana, an objectively less harmful product, as a legal 
recreational alternative?

Everyone has their hypotheses. But when it comes to testing them, we 
should leave it to those without a dog in the fight.

- - Mason Tvert, director of communications with the Marijuana Policy 
Project, Denver, Colo.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom