Community Corner
Marijuana Forum for Policymakers
Ledge Light Health District, along with seven substance abuse prevention coalitions throughout Connecticut present: Reefer Sanity: Seven Great Myths about Marijuana with Dr. Kevin Sabet. Dr. Sabet is the co-founder of Smart Approaches to Marijuana and past Senior Advisor for Policy to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. He started the movement to educate the community on medical marijuana and he is concerned with the national trend towards legalization.
The purpose of the forum is to inform state and local policymakers about this important public health issue. Sabet will discuss marijuana’s impact on youth, the importance of preventing another “Big Tobacco,” legal reform, as well as the latest data and experiences from Colorado and Washington.
“As more states consider further legalization efforts, it is important for us to fully understand the physical and mental health implications of marijuana use, particularly as it affects our young people,” said State Representative Timothy Bowles.
Find out what's happening in New Londonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“Marijuana use rates are higher among states with medical marijuana laws than states without these laws; therefore, showing the need to focus on the smart approach to medical marijuana by informing the public and policymakers about today’s science on medical marijuana and the untended consequences of medical marijuana,” Sabet said.
Currently, rates among 12-17 year olds are among the highest levels nationally in states that have medical marijuana programs. (SAMHSA NSDUH Report).
Find out what's happening in New Londonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“Today’s marijuana industry is following exactly the same tactics as ‘Big Tobacco’ did decades ago, framing its product as healthy, denying the science linking its use to numerous health problems and targeting youth as lifelong customers,” Sabet said.
This forum will be held on Tuesday, June 17 at 9:00 a.m. at Connecticut College in New London. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. The following coalition have partnered with Ledge Light Health District for this event: Connecticut Associations of Prevention Practitioners, Groton Adolescent Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, Haddam-Killingworth Healthy Communities-Healthy Kids Coalition, Ledyard Safe Teens Coalition, New London Community and Campus Coalition, Stonington Prevention Council and Windham Substance Abuse Task Force.
For more information or to RSVP, contact Michelle Hamilton at mhamilton@llhd.org or call 860-448-4882 ext. 305.
