To the editor:
As a licensed family therapist who has been treating addictions for over 50 years, I am appalled at the presence of Question 8 on the Massachusetts ballot. The legal prohibition of mind altering substances has a long record of spectacularly disastrous results: from the 18th amendment which provided a bonanza for organized crime, to the “war on drugs” which made marketing of dangerous substances immensely profitable and facilitated law enforcement abuses, these campaigns were an attempt to quench a fire with gasoline.
Like any drug, cannabis has both useful and unwelcome effects. I strongly believe that its use is not appropriate for children and adolescents, and although it is not physiologically habituating, it can be addicting. In my experience about 10% of its users become addicted. A federal bureaucrat, Harry J. Anslinger, acquired enormous power with a skillful crusade of deceit to represent cannabis as generating violence and insanity, with himself and the draconian laws he promoted as our only defense.
I cannot conceive of any positive outcome from re-criminalizing cannabis. It will make it easier for children to get it, create a new black market and economically harm legitimate suppliers. It didn’t work before, and can’t possibly work again. Who will benefit? We need to find ways of reducing the harm that cannabis can cause, but Question 8 will do just the opposite.
Michael Elkin
Prospect Street
