Parenting Magazine

In September I was ask by Parenting Magazine to submit  an article answering several of their questions with respect to legalizing 'medical' marijuana. My answers were based on research, statistics and impact studies. The editors chose to use anecdotal statements from parents who took their child to Colorado. AND encouraged parents to sign the petition and volunteer to help.  All of which seems highly unethical for a parenting magazine and goes against all medical studies and research.    

This  issue was brought to light when Parenting Magazine allowed the group obtaining ballot signatures to legalize marijuana at a "Back to School"  function at our local mall.  I wrote a letter stating the solicitors should not have been allowed and detailed evidence that marijuana was not a medicine ... Parenting Magazine responded  "Marijuana is not the problem, alcohol, prescription drugs, bath salts, drugs being marketed to kids and teenagers are the problem and what your organization should be focused on. " 

Parenting Magazine article/propaganda:  http://tampabayparenting.com/article/legalizing-medicine/#comment-60213

PLEASE TAKE ACTION .... see e-mail address below and use sample statements or create your own

My submission: 

Dear Krista,

Here are the responses to your questions.  The following statements are not my opinion but factual information based on peer-reviewed studies and research, scientific evidence, statistics and data. All resources are referenced below via website links. 

1.)What are some of the reasons that parents should think twice before signing the petition for medical marijuana?  There are several reasons no one should sign a petition to legalize marijuana for any purpose medical or otherwise. 

FIRST- No major medical association supports the use of marijuana for “medical” purposes nor recreational/street use.

( American Medical Association,   American Cancer SocietyNational Multiple Sclerosis Society,  American Glaucoma Society, American Academy of Pediatrics,   National Institute of Drug Abuse(NIDA), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service ,Association(SAMHSA), Food&DrugAssociation (FDA),  American Academy of OphthalmologyDrug Enforcement Agency (DEA),  American Society of Addiction Medicine Parkinson's  Epilepsy Foundation  (new letter from American Epilepsy Foundation President)

SECOND Over 10 prescription FDA approved cannabis-based MEDICINES already exist some for over 20 years.  The fact is marijuana is not the best medicine nor doctors’ first choice of medicine because cannabis-based medicines aren’t as effective as many other prescription medicines or even over-the-counter medications depending on an individual’s medical needs.

THIRD Charlotte’s Web marijuana approved by the Florida Legislature for epilepsy is proving to cause more harm than good for the majority of the children using this as medicine. Children’s Hospital in Colorado reported that “artisanal high CBD" oils resulted in no significant reduction in seizures in the majority of patients and in those for whom the parents reported improvements, these improvements were not associated with improvement in electroencephalograms (EEGs), the gold standard monitoring test for people with epilepsy.” (New letter from American Epilepsy Foundation President

FOURTH- States that have legalized marijuana for ‘medical’ purposes are the first to obtain full legalization proving the point that this isn’t about medicine nor a person’s health.  The data from Colorado should compel parents to join the movement against legalization.  In Colorado, youth usage has significantly increased as has the dropout rate from high school, crime, and homeless rates … to mention a few consequences of legalizing ‘medical’ marijuana.  And, parents should be warned that the likelihood of being in a car accident involving a marijuana-impaired drivers has also significantly increased to include a fatal car accident.

FIFTH- Our country has spent millions of dollars the past several decades researching marijuana as a medicine.  The scientific evidence are all the same marijuana utilized from the whole plant form is NOT A MEDICINE.  The public is not hearing the results because the general media is not publicizing these outcomes. LEGALIZATION HAS BECOME A POLITICAL ISSUE NOT A MEDICAL ISSUE BASED ON HEALTH, SAFETY and MEDICAL STANDARDS.

(ARTICLE:  Current research has fallen far short of criteria required by the FDA to approve any drug, much less for conditions not considered acutely life-threatening and for which there are already many other effective and safe treatments. The variation from state to state as to which medical conditions are approved for cannabinoid use is not because lawmakers have ignored scientific evidence. Rather, it reflects the absence of such evidence and an approval process based on politics, not science. )

2.)    Is there an increased risk for medical issues for kids who use marijuana?

Not only does using marijuana increase the risk of anxiety, depression and often triggers schizophrenia but when used by adolescents (before the brain reaches full development at 25) often causes long-term permanent effects to include a decrease in IQ.

(Brain abnormalities and memory problems were observed in these individuals in their early twenties, two years after they had stopped using marijuana. The cannabis users were noted to have striatal, globus pallidus, and thalamus changes showing these brain regions appearing to shrink and collapse inward. These individuals also had poorer working memory. The earlier the age of cannabis use, the more dramatic the brain changes and memory deficits were noted to be.)

Based on the above facts it should be of major concern for parents as the perception of harm decreases, overall usage increases. In 2014 the Florida ballot initiative to legalize marijuana for ‘medical’ purpose lead to youth perceiving marijuana to be safer than cigarettes and often riding with a person high on marijuana. (Hillsborough Cty & State data)

(The Department of Health and Human Services found that marijuana use among all Americans 12 and over – especially those over 26 – significantly increased in 2014 compared to 2013. The number of 16 and 17 year-olds using marijuana in the past month also increased, (14.2% versus 15.0%).)

3.)Why do you think people have begun supporting medical marijuana when it previously wouldn't have been up for a vote? The public is being bombarded with propaganda that marijuana is a miracle drug that cures illnesses from headaches to glaucoma to cancer.  People should ask themselves two questions 1) Is it medically possible for one medicine to cure so many ailments?  2) If marijuana were truly a miracle drug why aren’t the pharmaceutical companies promoting the already legal prescription cannabis-based medicines the way these companies have marketed narcotics?  The answer is simple: it isn’t the best available drug AND the risks far outweigh any benefits perceived or actual.  HOWEVER money talks.

a.      Money & Propaganda:  Money Talks     
b.      View video: History of Legalizing Marijuana

4.)    Is there anything you would like to add?

Just because people call marijuana a medicine doesn’t make it a medicine.  Smoking pot and believing you feel better is not valid scientific evidence that this drug is a medicine.  Parents should know that pot from the 60’s is not the same as today’s pot it is typically 20 times stronger. The BIG Question:  Does this sound like a medicine you would want your child or any family member to use?

Thank you for the opportunity to help inform and educate parents and hopefully prevent their children from heading down a path that often destroys family’s lives and futures. 

Sincerely,

Teresa Miller
No2Pot.org

 
Feel free to take sections, download or print the my letters and send the information to subscribers & advertisers. Notify your local organizations that have this magazine in their lobby. 
 
 Please contact them and some of their advertisers to express your concern for their disregard of the medical field and for misleading parents and giving false hope to so many people. 
    

 

Sponsor's Name

direct e-mails

contact page forms

 

Parenting Magazine

info@tbparenting.com

 

 

Parenting Magazine

ads@tbparenting.com

 

 

Parenting Magazine

krista.byrd@tbparenting.com

 

 

Parenting Magazine

susan.margolis@tbparenting.com

 

 

Parenting Magazine

angela@tbparenting.com

 

 

Parenting Magazine

editor@tbparenting.com

 

 

Parenting Magazine

 

 

medical

Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel

https://www.floridahospital.com/wesley-chapel/contact-us-form?contact_reason=RkhXRUItRkRCQ0stNDA=

 

medical

High Risk Hopt

info@highriskhope.org

 

Medical

Rice psychology Group

info@ricepsychology.com

 

medical

Children's Board Hillsborough County

parrisk@childrensboard.org

 

medical

Children's Board Hillsborough County

scottps@childrensboard.org

 

other

Florida Orchestra

admin@floridaorchestra.org

 

other

Duke Energy Mahaffey Theater

info@themahaffey.com

 

other

 

investor@panerabread.com

 

other

Verizon

jeffrey.nelson@verizon.com

 

other

Rhealana Store

Jenniferdowling@rhealana.com

 

other

Florida Aquarium

KClaytor@flaquarium.org

 

other

Mosi

kellen.nixon@mosi.org

 

other

Rhealana Store

kimberly@rhealana.com

 

other

Mosi Director of Marketing and Advertising

megan.haskins@mosi.org

 

other

Mosi

randi.meyer@mosi.org

 

other

 

regina@fit4mom.com

 

other

Rhealana Store

rhealana@rhealana.com

 

other

Rhealana Store

Saralewis@rhealana.com

 

other

Glazer Child’s museum 

 info@glazermuseum.org

 

school

Academy at the Lakes

advancement@academyatthelakes.org

 

school

Admiral Farragut Academy

alumni@farragut.org

alumni

school

Corbett Preparatory School

info@corbettprep.com

 

school

MovementWithMeaningTampa.com

info@movementwithmeaningtampa.com

 

school

St. Mary's Episcopal Day School

info@smeds.org

 

school

Hillsborough County School District

jeff.eakins@sdhc.k12.fl.us

Superintendent

school

Westlake Christian School

jroggenbaum@westlakechristianschool.org

 

school

Academy at the Lakes

mbaker@academyatthelakes.org

 

school

Westlake Christian School

pweaver@westlakechristianschool.org

 

school

Admiral Farragut Academy

rfine@farragut.org

board director

school

Kid's Park

tampafl@kidspark.com

 

school

Bayshore Christian School

 

 

school

Berkeley Prep

 

https://berkeleyprep.myschoolapp.com/Page/About/Contact-Us?siteId=659&ssl=1

school

Sylvan Learning

 

http://www.sylvanlearning.com/headquarters?phone=888-338-2283

school

Hillsborough County School District

 

http://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/contact/?type=board

school

Hillsborough County School District

 

http://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/contact/?type=staff&contact=10