FROM EIR DAILY ALERT

---

Pot Users Can Lose IQ, Can’t Handle Advanced Technology or Space Exploration Science

Dec. 18, 2018 (EIRNS)—A recent study in Colorado—the first of ten U.S. states where “recreational” marijuana has been legalized—found that for every $1 raised in tax revenue, $4.50 must be spent to mitigate the negative impacts caused by its legalization. Costs related to the healthcare system and from high school dropouts represent the largest share.

In Colorado, the estimated cost of DUIs (driving under the influence) of those who tested positive for pot use approaches $25 million.

In New York State, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who last year opposed pot legalization, has now made an about-face, Dr. Kevin Sabet, of “Smart Approaches to Marijuana” New York branch, writes in the New York Post yesterday. Sabet points out that

“today’s highly potent pot is harmful and severely impacts the ability of young people to learn, impairs memory, increases the risk of serious mental illness, and can even lead to a loss of IQ points. It makes our state less competitive and puts workers at risk due to workplace accidents.”

Marijuana users are, he says, almost three times more likely to abuse hard drugs such as opioids, according to studies. Washington, D.C. saw public consumption and distribution arrests nearly triple after legalization, and a disproportionate number of those arrests occurred among African-Americans.