Local doctor sees dangers of legalizing marijuana

After having spent 35 years as a pulmonary physician, I have been a detox/internal medicine physician at Eagleville Hospital for the last 10 years. I am writing this letter and review about recreational marijuana because I fear the dangers of legalization. I believe it would lead to serious public health consequences. I vividly remember when the government endorsed the more liberal use of narcotics in the 1990’s and this was a major cause of the opioid crisis of the last decade. We cannot withstand “Deja vu”.

The initial psychologic effects of marijuana intoxication include relaxation and altered sensory perception. There is commonly impaired concentration, anterograde amnesia, and motor incoordination. Higher doses frequently cause hypervigilance, anxiety, paranoia, or panic. The risk of marijuana addiction is estimated at 10%.

Automobile driving while under the influence is a major problem. I am appalled at the large numbers of patients that I encounter who have DUI. When patients are in a detox center they have an extra layer of confidentiality which inhibits reporting. Both PA Act 63 and federal confidentiality law 42 cfr- are in effect.

Recently, Ms. Carol Henn, chairperson of AAA sent the members the warning that “Driving High” can double the risk of a crash. Last year, the auditor general of PA pressed for legal marijuana, and this week Governor Wolf has decided that we should legalize recreational marijuana to get more taxes. In 2019, I met with Dr. Rachel Levine of the public health department and a Penndot administrator at a Montgomery County Community College conference. I discussed my findings and they agreed that much more study and input of addiction care physicians was needed before any new laws were entertained.

We need to prevent another drug abuse crisis from being sanctioned by the government - Deja Vu!

Dr. D. Victor Sesso Gwynedd Valley