Marijuana Legalization Presents A New Set Of Problems

Marijuana has been found to have a profound effect on a range of medical conditions, but the quickly growing market for recreational pot has created a host of new risks to public health and safety.

Overdose

Since many people worry about the health risks of inhaling marijuana smoke, edible products laced with THC have begun to gain popularity.

Marijuana-infused products ranging from chocolate truffles to breath mints have become available in most dispensaries as more and more people opt for a "healthier" way to get high.

However these new products are making the likelihood of accidental overdoses much higher, especially among children. An increased frequency of overdose-related emergency room visits has prompted many to call for more stringent regulations regarding marijuana edibles.

Knowledge Gap

While public health campaigns have tirelessly reinforced the dangers associated with alcohol and tobacco consumption for years, marijuana's relative newness has left the public largely under-educated about the drug's effects.

Additionally, the federal government's classification of marijuana as a Schedule I substance has made testing to understand the adverse side effects of use difficult.

As a result, little is known about long-term marijuana use and its legalization has led many to disregard health concerns associated with drug use.

Related Link: Marijuana - What A Difference Two Decades Makes

Transport Across State Lines

The U.S.' fractured marijuana laws have made it difficult to control whether or not the drug is transported from a state where it is legal to one where it is not.

Increased marijuana-related arrests in Nebraska and Oklahoma prompted lawmakers to file a lawsuit against Colorado's marijuana industry, saying it has made it more difficult for police to enforce federal law in border towns.