Come and Hear Why Connecticut Should Not Get On The Marijuana Legalization Bandwagon
Kevin Sabet, Ph.D., will be speaking at MCCA’s Annual Awards Dinner on February 25 at the Ethan Allen Inn in Danbury. Drug policy adviser to three presidents, Sabet has an important and timely message to share with the people of Connecticut about the true ramifications of legalizing marijuana.
“In theory, it sounds like rainbows and unicorns — tax revenues, getting rid of gangs, and keeping it out of the hands of kids,” Sabet says. “In reality it means gummy bears and ‘pot tarts’ marketed to 15-year-olds.” Sabet’s message is clear, “We don’t need Big Marijuana targeting us and saddling our country with enormous social costs. And we don’t need Big Tobacco taking over Big Marijuana.”
Colorado, Washington, Oregon and the District of Columbia have legalized “recreational” use of marijuana. Will Connecticut be next? MCCA is bringing Sabet to Connecticut because they believe the people of this state need to be fully informed when any discussion with marijuana takes place. This event is open to the public. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at MCCAOnline.com or by calling 203-792-4515, ext. 1102. Individuals or organizations may sponsor a table of 10 for student leaders or elected officials.
Sabet believes the gap between the public’s understanding about marijuana and the scientific understanding has never been greater. Marijuana has serious long-term harmful affects on young people* and corporate marijuana means corporate marketing. The author of Reefer Sanity – Seven Great Myths About Marijuana, Sabet advocates for clear thinking about drug policy. He does not believe we should use our law enforcement resources jailing or imprisoning marijuana users. Nor does he believe that we need to go to the other extreme of creating big tobacco 2.0 to solve the problem.
MCCA is one of the largest providers of substance abuse treatment in Connecticut with nine treatment facilities located around the state. MCCA was established in 1972 in response to regional needs for high quality professional services for individuals and their families suffering from alcohol, drug abuse and problem gambling. For more information visit our website at MCCAOnline.com.
*A recent study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that young adults who occasionally smoke marijuana show abnormalities in two key areas of their brain related to emotion, motivation, and decision making, raising concerns that they could be damaging their developing minds at a critical time.