Town Hall Meeting-What Washingtonian's should know about marijuana in 2014

Washington will undergo the most consequential change in public health this generation has ever seen ? the legalization of the retail, commercial sales of marijuana. And while most people who use marijuana will not become addicted nor go onto use other drugs, it is important to keep in mind that residents should not expect the change to be problem-free. In fact, as I show in my new book, Reefer Sanity: Seven Great Myths About Marijuana, the public often misunderstands the science about marijuana?s harmfulness. Below I lay out six concerns Washingtonians should be aware of in 2014. 1. Marijuana legalization could usher in the new version of ?Big Tobacco? 2. Expect marijuana use to go up after legalization 3. Adolescent health will suffer. 4. Don?t expect to pay for schools or balance the budget with marijuana revenue 5. The underground market for marijuana will likely persist. And don?t expect criminal drug cartels to go away, either 6. Early data from Washington and Colorado are not promising.