Legalization of marijuana could have negative impact on young people, Empower Tusc warns

NEW PHILADELPHIA ‒ The coordinator of Empower Tusc coalition is warning that passage of state Issue 2 in November could have a negative impact on the youth of Tuscarawas County.

Jodi Salvo recently spoke to members of New Philadelphia City Council about the ballot issue, which would legalize recreational marijuana in Ohio. The statute, if passed, would legalize, regulate and tax adult-use marijuana in addition to the current medical cannabis program.

"If we want a thriving community, we absolutely need to protect our youth," she said.

Empower Tusc focuses on helping young people live drug-free.

More about marijuana: Empower Tusc airs worries about medical marijuana expansion

Traditionally, users smoke marijuana. But with legalization, the products change, including gummies, drinks and edibles, she said. In addition, the potency of the marijuana increases in these products.

"Would our children prefer to smoke plant matter or eat or drink these products? They're going to go for the eating and drinking, and these products will always be more potent," Salvo said.

She noted that the younger someone starts using alcohol or illegal drugs, before that person's brain is fully developed, the greater the chance of addiction.

Addicted to vaping devices

There is already a problem with young people in Tuscarawas County addicted to vaping devices, with many starting around age 13. Cannabis oil can also be used in these devices, she said.

"Before, we didn't see youth initiation on marijuana like we are seeing right now," she said. "But because young people are comfortable with that vaping of nicotine, there's not a huge jump to start vaping cannabis oil, especially when you have access to it.

"So, with legalization, our young people will have more access and availability and that means there will be a decreased perception of harm because these products look friendly and they look nice, and when adults already call it medicine, they already have a decreased perception of harm, so when these products are in our community, our young people will use them."

How much adults could possess

Issue 2 would allow adults to possess 2.5 ounces of marijuana. People would be allowed to grow up to six plants per individual, or 12 plants per household.

"This is so much marijuana that this should be very concerning, especially if it's in households because I'm not confident how an adult is going to secure this from young people. There is no household that can consume 12 plants of marijuana, so where is the rest of this product going?" Salvo said.

In Colorado, which legalized marijuana in 2012, there has been a 400% increase in emergency room visits by children from birth through age 9. "That is because those gummies, if they are not secured, are ridiculously high potency marijuana," she said.

Other concerns

In addition to the impact on young people, legalization of marijuana can harm businesses. "We're going to have problems with employability. If you have safety sensitive jobs, trying to find persons that can pass a drug test will continue to be problematic," she said.

Marijuana use can also impact public safety when people drive while impaired. For the past six years, Salvo's group has been collecting data through surveys at the Tuscarawas County Fair. Last year, 25% of people indicated they use marijuana products, but they said marijuana did not impact their driving.

"The perception of harm around marijuana has gone down and usage has been reported going up in our community," she said.

Mayor Joel Day said he thought that legalization of marijuana would bring a whole new set of societal and law enforcement problems to New Philadelphia.

"We're just really asking people to learn about this issue," Salvo said. "Talk to other people. We would ask you to really think about how you would vote on Issue 2."

Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Empower Tusc: Legalization of marijuana could be harmful to children