Lawmakers Meet with Teens to Discuss Marijuana Bills

Submitted by Monica Gallant, CAST Chair:

On April 19th, Community Action for Safe Teens (CAST), a committee of the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley, hosted a Legislative Breakfast for NH Legislators, local high school students, and other community members.

The purpose was to generate discussion about the issues revolving around the three marijuana bills that were in the Senate house to be voted on. All participants had the opportunity to share how substance use/abuse has affected their lives either through family members or peers and the intent of the proposed bills.

The conversations were lively, respectful, and thought generating. The high school students who attended did an outstanding job representing local schools and were quite concerned about how substance use plays a role in their lives and communities. The Legislators and community members listened and offered valued contributions during the event.

For example, House Bill (HB) 621 presented a change on the status of the charge for the procession of less than a quarter ounce of marijuana from a criminal charge to a lesser charge of violation. Some in attendance presented information that this change was seen as a helpful tool for youth that are apprehended with a small amount of the substance. Through discussion, the participants became aware that this lesser charge already happens on a regular basis through the NH Drug Court System or the Youth Diversion programs that exist within NH communities.

For the typical teen that gets caught with a small quantity of marijuana, chances are they would not be charged criminally, an action that may affect their future, such as funding for college. If the idea that youth may face a long term consequence (under current law) as a result of possession of marijuana acts as a deterrent for use, or at the very least possession of the substance, then the consensus was, “This is a good thing.”

At a recent Marijuana Forum, Kevin Sabet, Ph.D. stated, “The weed of today is not the weed of Woodstock”.  The THC levels are much higher in today’s weed (average of 12%) because of the way it is being bred and the CBD levels (which is the property that takes the high away) are being bred out of the drug, which in essence makes it that much more dangerous.

Marijuana use is often perceived as a “natural” way to get high – well the levels of pesticides found on confiscated marijuana are astronomical, which means it is anything but “natural”.  “The adolescent brain is especially susceptible to marijuana use and there is an increased risk of psychosis and the risk of schizophrenia is increased six-fold,” says Dr. Sabet.

Tobacco companies are waiting in the wings to become the producers of the drug, and, of course, the target market is people under the age of 18.  This is all too apparent in the current marketing being seen in California and Colorado that offer flavored “Pot Tarts” and “Ring Pots” and other candy replications.          

HB 621 was not passed this year as the House voted Inexpedient to Legislate.  The plea to the general public from the members of CAST is a simple one: before any changes are made to the current marijuana laws under the pretense of "protecting youth" let's really take a look at the message that is being sent.

Be informed and educated as to what the negative impact would be to decriminalize marijuana when and if it is brought forward as proposed legislation. The research confirms that this is a decision that would do more harm than good. In the coming year, be mindful of the negative impact that decriminalizing marijuana is having on our sister states.

For more info on Dr. Sabet’s Smart Approach to Marijuana visit www.learnaboutsam.org or to find out how you can become involved with CAST, please email cast@svbgc.org.