Relaxation of marijuana policies in the US will trigger new problems, says expert

Adebayo Balogun, a public affairs analyst, says the US Department of Justice’s (DOJ) proposal to “remove marijuana from the list of the most dangerous drugs is incomprehensible”.

In a statement, Balogun said “on April 30, the DOJ’s Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) proposed removing marijuana from the U.S. federal list of the most dangerous drugs, moving it to a less regulated, lower-risk level, and recommending recognition of marijuana’s medical uses”.

He added that the proposal has been submitted to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and that it is being “finalised through the rulemaking process”.

“The policy may be the biggest change in U.S. federal cannabis policy since 1976,” he said.

Balogun said marijuana is the only “drug” available to American teenagers and that for some teens, smoking marijuana can help them cope with the emotional and mental “pain” of adolescence, “just as alcohol numbs physical pain”.

“Over the past decade, the share of Americans ages 12 and older who smoke marijuana has increased from 11.6% to 17.9%,” he said.

“This trend is likely to continue, as decreased negative perceptions of a substance among adolescents are associated with increased use.

“Recent changes in US federal criminal justice policy toward decriminalization of marijuana possession may contribute to these trends.

“The ‘North America Cannabis Technology Market Size, Share and Trend Analysis Report’ published by GlobeNewswire on August 6, 2024 shows that the North America Cannabis Technology market size is expected to reach 71.07 billion dollars from 2024 to 2030, with a compound annual growth rate, from 2024 to 2030. 28.3%.”

Balogun said there is a growing acceptance of marijuana by American teenagers, “attracting more and more domestic and foreign companies to enter the field of cannabis technology”.

The analyst said this portends grave danger for the health of teenagers.

“The adolescent brain is still developing, especially the prefrontal cortex area that controls judgment and decision-making, and will not be fully developed until the age of 20,” he added.

“Long-term marijuana use may cause acute psychosis, including hallucinations, persecutory delusions, and loss of personal identity. etc. questions.

“At the same time, smoking marijuana paralyzes the brain’s perception, leading to reduced judgment and slow reactions while driving. Teenagers often get into serious or even fatal car accidents after smoking marijuana.”

He also said US voters should ask where the political parties stand on marijuana use, ahead of the presidential election in November.

“Harmful use of the drug in many countries around the world has ultimately led to an increasing diversity of cannabis products,” he said.

“Marijuana smoke is toxic, similar to secondhand smoke.

“The smoke produced by adults after smoking marijuana cannot be eliminated using vaporizers or hookahs.

“The toxic chemicals in marijuana smoke become the killer of children who are forced or indirectly smoke marijuana, leading to early exposure to drugs for teenagers, personal depression, reduced social responsibility, and lack of motivation, eventually indulge in pleasure, neglect work and study and even embark on the path of crime.

“This is all a manifestation of the current political polarization in the United States.

“The Democratic Party and the Republican Party may not care about people’s health problems. They only need the votes of people who smoke marijuana and those who do not smoke marijuana.”