Measure 91: A Health Teacher’s Thoughts

On November 4th, Oregon voters made the decision to legalize recreational use of marijuana. As of now, the law still stands that any person found with 1 to 4 ounces will still be charged with a misdemeanor. However, on July 1st, 2015, individuals 21 and over will legally be allowed to possess 1 ounce of marijuana in public and 8 ounces in their home. This does not pertain to individuals below 21, who will still be charged if found in possession.

Though Oregon is 1 among only 4 states to legalize recreational usage of marijuana (the others being Colorado, Washington, and now Alaska), there are a total of 23 states that have legalized marijuana use in some form (including medical). Many other states, such as Arizona, California, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusettes, Nevada, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont are expected to have recreational legalization bills on the ballot in the coming election cycles. And in Florida, the legalization of medical marijuana narrowly failed in this election to reach the 60% majority needed, but is seen as likely to be passed in the next election.

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To talk to a professional about the health effects and other necessary information about Measure 91, we conducted an interview with La Salle health teacher Mike Devenney.

What is your opinion about Measure 91 being passed?

I voted against it but had no doubt it would pass. It was my hope that we would hold off on this measure until Colorado and Washington ironed out the kinks. For example: Neither state was clear about the amount of marijuana that can be put in baked goods, how much hashish oil can legally put in drinks (hashish oil can be six times stronger than smoked marijuana) and, since a parent can legally serve wine to a child at home, can the same be done with marijuana? (Editor’s Note: The OLCC has recently clarified that under Measure 91, parents cannot legally allow their children to consume marijuana, even on private grounds.)

Oregon has no standards for determining how much marijuana can be in your body system when it comes to driving, nor do we have accurate methods to test for that. The idea that we can treat marijuana just like alcohol just does not stand up… As for Measure 91 passing… I am disappointed but not surprised.

What are the health effects from smoking marijuana?

I would like to expand that question a bit. As for “smoking”, the [most intense] short term effects (increased heart rate, lessened coordination and balance along with its mood changing or enhancing effects) last [for a relatively short period of time] depending on the THC content of the joint.  The long term effects give me great concern.  Since the smoker holds the inhaled smoke in the lungs for a substantial period of time (much longer than a cigarette smoker) serious health effects will result. Independent studies, for example those done at Duke University, show marijuana smokers experience more sore throats, have more and longer lasting colds, miss more work days and run a higher risk of exposure to cancer causing natural chemicals than do cigarette smokers.

While the physical addiction aspects of smoking marijuana are still up for debate… the psychological effects on younger people are clear. For consistent users, school dropout rates go up as school performance rates go down. Problem solving abilities are stunted and personal drive is diminished.

In my classroom I never say anything about a drug that is not backed up by independent, peer reviewed, double-blind studies. I require years of research before I say, “Here is what this drug does.” The above statements meet that criteria. But more is coming. Compare alcohol to marijuana. Alcohol is one chemical. Marijuana contains 400 known chemicals, some of which are carcinogenic. The argument that proclaims “Yeah, but it’s natural,” is bogus. Poison Ivy is natural, so is the sweat of the Amazon Tree Frog. But smoking either one of them is deadly. Just because something grows in nature does not mean it is harmless to humans. Lately everyone has been worried about GMOs (genetically modified organisms) in food. Marijuana is the most genetically modified plant on earth. The THC in a marijuana cigarette is six to eight times stronger today than it was in the 1960s. That didn’t happen naturally. It was done by humans messing around with nature. And in that regard, we have very little to be proud of.

We have no idea how the human body will react to this modern marijuana in the future.

Do you have any immediate concerns regarding this issue?

Besides those mentioned above, I am most concerned about the accessibility teens will have to marijuana. Right now most teens at least know somebody who knows somebody that can get them marijuana on very short notice. Legalization will multiply that a thousand fold. Does anyone really believe that either commerce or the government are going to set-up, maintain and enforce barriers to young people getting marijuana? If you think getting alcohol is easy, just wait! Marijuana will be even easier; no cans or bottles to deal with, clueless parents, 18 year olds looking to make a quick few bucks from younger friends, the list can go on and on.

How will the legalization affect your instruction of health?

My instruction has always been, and will continue to be, two-fold. First, I focus on the nature of addiction. The drug does not really matter. What matters is how the use of the drug changes relationships, redirects plans for the future and becomes the most important thing in a user’s life. Have you ever noticed that the person saying “It’s all good” is usually trying to convince you of something or discounting the effects their behavior or actions have had on others? Second, I focus on having students research this statement: If you are from this planet, this drug will do the following to your body. No exceptions. The guy who used to get high on one marijuana cigarette or one beer, now needs several to get that same high. They pride themselves of being able to “Handle the drug” or “Hold their liquor”, ignoring that the drug has made major changes in the brain’s pleasure center and hurt several body organs along the way.