Legalizing marijuana may have detrimental effect on children

By Staff Writer

On November 2, California residents will vote on Proposition 19 to decide whether adults can legally possess, smoke and grow marijuana.

A recent editorial in USA Today detailed the dangers that would stem from legalized marijuana laws, especially the potential harm it could have on children. The newspaper reports that kids would have easier access to cannabis if their parents begin using it more frequently and openly.

In addition, adolescents may think that smoking marijuana has no negative effects because it is no longer illegal. The news provider reports that the addiction rate jumps as high as 17 percent for kids who begin smoking the substance at an early age.

The article also said that the number of people who drive under the influence could spike.

"You wouldn't want someone [who is high] coming toward you on the road, and while it would still be illegal to drive under the influence, that would almost certainly happen more often under legalization," states the editorial. "Marijuana smokers are three times more likely than sober drivers to crash."

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, some children start smoking marijuana because they see older family members or friends using it. Others experiment with the substance because they hear references about it in music, movies or TV.