This week, News Talk 830 WCCO is taking a look at some of the issues and challenges surrounding Minnesota’s new law that legalizes recreational marijuana.
News Talk 830 WCCO’s Susie Jones is taking a look at some of the concerns facing those in the chemical dependency field.
While Minnesota's new law requires that a person be at least 21 years old to use marijuana, the fear of young people finding it enticing remains.
Lydia Burr, the director of clinical services at Hazelden Betty Ford, says most people think that marijuana is not addictive or harmful, but it is.
Even more important, Burr says the substance can have devastating effects on the developing brain and make a person more prone to “mental health issues, depression, anxiety, those types of things, as well as just priming their brain for development of a substance abuse disorder.”
Burr says that with the drug becoming legal, it’s important that parents take time to speak with their kids as they should about all substances.
“Preventing a substance use disorder is always preferable to treating it after it’s already occurred,” Burr said.
MORE: See all of WCCO's series on Legalizing Recreational Marijuana here.
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