The New York Times finally weighs in on the risks to kids from marijuana edibles, noting that many teens underestimate the dangers associated with the drug. With pot legalization making pot more widely available, young people have come to believe marijuana is less dangerous creating a perfect storm or risk, especially for edibles that are heavily marketed to young people. Edibles can indeed appear harmless, as they are packaged to look like candies, and appeal to impulsive, thrill-seeking youth. But they can pack a strong punch with high levels of THC, the psychoactive component of pot, that may cause lethargy, confusion, impaired coordination, intense anxiety, rapid heart rate, and vomiting, as well as seizures and respiratory depression. The Times suggests that parents talk to their teens about these risks, but the government should also act to impose stricter rules and regulations to curb underage access and use.
Meanwhile, the Times doesn’t always speak so bluntly when it comes to marijuana. A recent story in the Style section noted that fake pot plants are all the rage as decor in homes and businesses, as a way to "counter negative attitudes" toward marijuana and supposedly destigmatize the drug. The owner of one fake pot plant company was quoted as saying she was inspired to start the business by her father, who said that using marijuana oil had helped treat his skin cancer. Perhaps the paper of record should have also pointed that pot is NOT an effective treatment for skin cancer.
And finally, as drug overdoses soar in the U.S, the availability of the overdose reversal drug Naloxone is dwindling as the price of the effective, and easy-to-use drug increases, which is causing a dangerous shortage. The drug’s manufacturer, Pfizer, ran into problems making the drug earlier this year, and temporarily stopped shipping it to community groups battling the drug epidemic. Pfizer says the supply chain has been fixed, but the price is still far more expensive for the providers at a time when they need it most. Now is the time for the government to step in and secure the production and availability of a critical drug that can save lives, and help substance users enter treatment.