Legalizing cannabis would impact youth

“Tommy” (named changed to protect privacy) was the 15-year-old son of close friends and neighbors. At 10 one night, I needed to make a quick trip to the grocery store. As I rounded the corner, my headlights illuminated two boys exchanging money for a baggy. Obviously, a drug buy. Tommy was the buyer.

I spoke with his father the next day. He said they were aware that Tommy was smoking weed but considered it “just a phase.”

Ten years later, despite multiple stays in rehab, Tommy had evolved from pot to heroin. He was in a halfway house after what seemed like a successful stint in rehab, when he didn’t show up for breakfast. They found him in his room, the heroin needle still in his arm, dead. His family was devastated.

The Maui County Council has voted to support proposed legislation for the legalization of cannabis. They talked about all the revenue that is possible.

They did not bother to consult with the Maui Police Department or the Coalition for a Drug Free Youth as to the impacts of legalization. The focus was on revenue alone, not the societal costs.

“The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry advocates for careful consideration of potential immediate and downstream effects of marijuana policy changes on children and adolescents. Heavy use during adolescence is associated with increased incidence and worsened course of psychotic, mood, anxiety and substance use disorders.”

“Tommy” was bright, handsome and funny. His “phase” led to a heartbroken family. Madge Schaefer

Kihei