What the science says about marijuana

Patrick Brown’s Feb. 20 cover story was a clear-eyed presentation of what the scientific and medical communities have long documented.

It bears repeating that the dangers of marijuana use include: memory, attention, and learning impairments; increased risk of psychosis and schizophrenia; dramatic increase in impaired driving and accidents; a gateway to experimentation with other drugs; decreased motivation and long-term productivity; increased exposure to carcinogens and respiratory irritants; illegal markets thriving despite legalization; increased emergency room visits for cannabis intoxication and hyperemesis syndrome; and a drug culture that reflects and deepens spiritual emptiness.

One hopes that states still considering legalization will pause long enough to weigh the facts carefully. After all, with all this evidence before us, what could possibly go wrong?

— Steven A. Christie, M.D., Miami, Florida