Our models on this are alcohol and tobacco. They represent extremely serious health hazards. Marijuana is clearly addictive, is responsible for behavioral, intellectual and cognitive deficits, and is responsible for severe side-effects to the pulmonary, reproductive and immune systems as well. Legalization is a Pandora's box, which if opened would unleash a tide that will sweep away prevention and treatment. The greatest danger of legalization is to our youth.
Adolescents are the most difficult to diagnose and treat.
Many slip through the cracks. The legalization debate is sparked by marijuana, and inherent in marijuana use is denial. Some Harvard individuals are selling their denial.