cannabis is now for sale. Legally. No more calling the connect; we can all go to any licensed dispensary and buy what we want. I’m close to certain that the industry will be an economic boon for New Mexico. There will be more dispensaries and producers to come; with them, more jobs and more opportunities for economic freedom.
But, and I hate to be a buzzkill, there are things of which we should all be aware. Cannabis is a complex plant and its effects vary between people. Although there are people in the industry who can guide purchases towards safe and effective use, there are also those who don’t care about safety and will sell all they can without any education. Cannabis’ complexities indicate that people should learn all they can about the plants’ uses and indications. This new and exciting industry shouldn’t just be about getting as high as possible.
As a substance abuse treatment provider, I support cannabis legalization. If nicotine and alcohol are legal, then there are simply no good arguments for continued cannabis prohibition. Nicotine, for example, shares similar usage traits with methamphetamine and research has it to be a gateway drug for other stimulants such as cocaine. Alcohol shrinks the brain and destroys the liver. Cannabis has no relationship with any other substance and doesn’t indicate any “gateway” properties, albeit there are those ignorant to studies who would argue that point. Further, when used responsibly, cannabis is safe and does not lead to physical dependence, as does alcohol.
But that’s not to say that cannabis isn’t without risks. People should never drive high, nor should minors use cannabis. Studies have shown decreased cognitive ability by adulthood and psychological impairments in teens who used cannabis regularly. Cannabis users should educate themselves about a burgeoning risk known as Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome, which is basically nausea attributed to prolonged and extended THC use.
The cannabis industry in New Mexico is cause for excitement. It’s just that I also hope that when cannabis use turns to abuse, and some people will abuse it, we have mechanisms in place to handle it. We should be aware that there are risks associated with cannabis use and as we move forward, we should know those risks and mitigate them accordingly.
