The Point

Legalizing Marijuana Use Fuels Rise in Self-Harm among Young Men

04/8/21

John Stonestreet

Roberto Rivera

Already this year, New York and Virginia have joined a growing list of states that have legalized recreational marijuana. By doing so, they’ve also joined the list of states increasing the likelihood of young men committing suicide and hurting themselves.

According to a recent report in the Journal of the American Medical Association, states that allow commercial marijuana sales saw “self-harm rates rise by 46% among men ages 21 to 39.” Self-harm includes suicide attempts and behaviors like cutting.

This is the latest report to suggest that recreational marijuana use, is dangerous, especially for young people and especially for young people with a certain genetic makeup. Of course, there’s no reliable way to know whether or not a young person is genetically vulnerable until it’s too late.

Despite a growing body of evidence, states continue to push for legalization as if nothing could possibly go wrong. We already know it has.

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Resources:

Legalized Pot Tied to Rise in Young Men’s Suicide Attempts

Amy Norton Healthday | U.S. News | March 22, 2021

The Link Between Marijuana, Psychosis, and Suicide

John Stonestreet | Breakpoint | June 29, 2020

 

 

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