KY-ASAP REGION 6 Policy Statement: Legalizing Recreational and Medicinal Marijuana

The Region 6 ASAP Board is not in favor of expanding medical use of marijuana beyond cannabidiol oil and is against legalization for recreational use. Currently in Kentucky there are limited trials using cannabidiol oil to treat seizures and recreational use of marijuana remains illegal.

Many states have now  legalized recreational and medical marijuana use. There has been a huge amount of media attention from unreliable, pro-marijuana sources that are motivated by potential profits in favor of medical and recreational use. As a result, marijuana use, as an issue related to the development of Substance Use Disorders (SUD), has become a marginalized topic and many consider marijuana use safe- even for youth. These actions have promoted the message to youth and adults that not only is marijuana safe, it can even cure whatever ails you. Perception of harm and risk rates continue to drop as well as perception of peer and parental disapproval among youth.

National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) research indicates that marijuana use can lead to the development of problem use, known as a marijuana use disorder, which in severe cases takes the form of addiction. Recent data suggest that 30% of marijuana users may have some degree of marijuana use disorder. People who begin using marijuana before the age of 18 are 4 to 7 times more likely to develop a marijuana use disorder than adults.

Marijuana and Health
• Addictive, six times stronger than in the “old” days
• Nonsupport from prominent national health organizations
• Causes respiratory disease
• Heavy use may affect brain development and processing of rewards in adolescences
• Lower perceived harm and risk and parental/peer disapproval
• ER rates for overdose/ child ingestion

Marijuana as Medicine
• Safer options exist
• No other medicine is smoked
• No FDA oversight or regulation

Marijuana as Edibles
• No FDA oversight
• Packaged to mirror candy brands
• Serving size/dosage unregulated

Legalization of Recreational Marijuana
• Increase in impaired driving crashes
• Increase in youth use and development of SUDs
• Shipping to non-legal states

Education and Work
• Affects attention, memory, learning
• Impairs ability to function safely and effectively on the job