It’s time to ramp up marijuana education
There is more marijuana circulating in Delaware now that medical marijuana is available through the First State Compassion Center in Wilmington. Not that there hasn’t been plenty of the psychoactive plant available in the state through illegal channels for many years.
But few are naive enough to believe that marijuana dispensed through the center will only be consumed by those whose medical conditions qualify them to buy the Delaware-grown product legally. It happens with prescription painkillers. It will happen with prescription marijuana. The good news is that medical marijuana dispensed by the First State Compassion Center is grown under tightly regulated conditions and is carefully inspected for contaminants. The use of pesticides on medical marijuana is prohibited in Delaware.
The bad news comes in a recent press release from the Delaware Division of Public Health. It reports that twice in September: “Delaware State Police troopers found themselves involved with incidents involving chocolate bars infused with marijuana and labeled as medical cannabis.”
The release notes that just because a marijuana product is labeled medical doesn’t make it legal in Delaware. Division of Public Health Director Dr. Karyl Rattay said: “Using the term ‘medical’ never makes something automatically safe, nor do consumers know what they are getting. Not only is it illegal, but it could be laced with dangerous substances or toxins.”
The release also notes that: “Delaware made the decision not to include edible products (meaning food items containing medical marijuana), due to concerns of safety and consistency in the amount of active ingredients.”
Although the slick-packaged chocolate bars include warnings about contents and dangers, public health is concerned that children or others who can’t read could mistake the bars as candy. With so much available online, the concern is legitimate.
Decades-old prohibition failed with marijuana as it did with alcohol. As marijuana continues its march toward mainstream acceptance for medicinal and recreational use, widespread educational efforts - like the state’s recent press release - must be rolled out steadily in our schools and on our streets to make children and adults aware of problems that can result from misuse of the drug.
