Response from Wyoming Rep. Harriet Hageman
Thank you for taking the time to reach out and express your views on marijuana. Your input on this matter is greatly appreciated as it assists me in understanding what is on the minds of my constituents.
Since the enactment of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) in 1970, marijuana has been listed as a Schedule I controlled substance, meaning that it is strictly regulated by the federal government. Despite its longstanding listing, 23 states along with the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for recreational use while 38 states and the District of Columbia have done so for medical purposes. Wyoming is currently one of a few states without any marijuana reform laws.
As public debate about the legalization of marijuana continues, I continue to have concerns about the impacts of its legalization. For one, extensive studies continue to reveal its harmful neurological impacts, particularly on minors. According to a research report from the National Institute of Health (NIH), evidence supports claims that increased cannabis use is correlated to a heightened risk for earlier onset psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia, and can worsen these conditions for those who already exhibit symptoms. Furthermore, the use of cannabis has been linked to an increased frequency of depression and suicidal thoughts among certain groups, including teens and veterans. These psychological conditions, compounded by the use of marijuana, also escalate the potentialities for violence and subsequent crime among younger people. There are also several studies concluding that cannabis use can significantly impair cognitive functions including higher-level thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, memorization, etc. While these effects pose problems for everyone who uses marijuana, this has the most damaging impact on youth amid their development. Younger people who partake in cannabis are at risk of learning disorders, improper social development, reduced coordination, driving impairment, etc.
Behind alcohol and tobacco, marijuana remains the most used drug among Americans. These health effects are particularly troubling as the growth of the cannabis industry has attracted a far more significant number of youths in recent years. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, reported marijuana use among young adults in 2021 reached a new record of 43%, an increase of 34% from five years prior in 2016. Meanwhile, the American Addiction Centers reported that “according to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 11.8 million young adults aged 18-25 reported using marijuana in the past year.” Additionally, approximately 5 million young adults between the ages of 18-25 and around 1.3 million adolescents between the ages of 12-17 had a diagnosed marijuana use disorder.
As the legalization movement expands, marijuana’s potency continues to increase, and millions of dollars are poured into lobbying efforts, the number of users increases in tandem. It is clear that the growth of this industry has caused serious harm to our children, which harms will likely be exacerbated as they age and develop.
However, despite all this condemnatory evidence towards the use of marijuana, the primary concern that I have with its legalization is its unpredictability. While alcohol can pose serious health risks on its own accord, there are procedures and metrics in place to determine what amount is too much, in addition to its ramifications on the body. Ultimately, marijuana, or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabis’ primary psychoactive ingredient, lacks any sort of reliable metrics and data that could be used to measure its effects on the body. The most common example of this is the use of the breathalyzer test for alcohol in drivers. A version of this test simply does not exist for THC, and it could therefore become a major safety issue for individuals on the road as the level of intoxication cannot be measured. Not to mention, even if a makeshift system were to be developed, would states and territories even decide to apply it to their regulations? At this point, the legalization of marijuana and its consequences, aside from the previously identified health defects, would be highly unpredictable and could put many lives in jeopardy as a result.
I sincerely appreciate you for taking the time to write to me regarding issues that are important to both you and your family. Please continue to keep me updated on your views, concerns, and questions as it helps me better serve my constituents. To stay up to date with my work both in Washington D.C. and here in Wyoming, you can subscribe to my weekly newsletter where I outline important votes, committee hearings, town halls, and more. For the latest developments, make sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
It is my highest honor to serve as your lone Congressional Representative for the great state of Wyoming.
Sincerely,
Rep. Harriet Hageman
Member of Congress
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