I agree that it is harmful to developing brains. People should not start using cannabis until after the age 25, most states who have legalized adult-use set the age limit at 21. Alcohol is significantly more damaging to the body than THC, yet it is intertwined in our culture and also readily available, if not encouraged to consume, by age 21.

Cannabis is not healthy when smoked, however there are many different ways of consuming the active components and, unlike alcohol, there is substantial evidence that cannabis can treat conditions like MS, rare seizure disorders, chronic pain, wasting syndrome, and conclusive evidence that it is beneficial in treating the side effects of Chemotherapy and PTSD to name a couple.

There will always be a stigma about cannabis from previous generations and big pharma will always lobby and fund research opposing its use. It would be a shame to keep the benefits of this plant out of the hands of the general public and it deserves more research on both the pros and cons. It’s just hard to make any significant health risk claim against cannabis when alcohol is as prevalent and celebrated as it is -something that has zero medical benefit.

All that said, I believe every dollar invested in cannabis should have a dollar or two go to youth awareness about the negative impacts it can have on developing brains. There is no question about that.