Is Marijuana Safe For Kids?

The legalization of marijuana use both medicinally and recreationally has lead to a host of new questions about how the drug will affect children.

In Colorado, the first state to allow the sale of recreational pot, hospitals say they’ve seen a rise in children being admitted due to accidental ingestion of THC, the active chemical in marijuana.

Many wonder if legalizing the drug will lead to more underage use and thus a greater chance of adult addiction. Several states are looking into how to effectively warn children of the dangers of using the drug as public perception slowly changes.

However, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) surprised the world with a new question— can marijuana use help kids?

The group has lobbied to have the drug removed from the Schedule 1 listing for controlled substances, where it is classified beside heroin, acid and ecstasy as a drug with no accepted medical use in the U.S. By changing its status, the AAP says cannabis will be easier for companies to acquire and research as a possible treatment option.

Initial research suggested that THC has a negative effect on a developing adolescent brain, but too little is known to draw a firm conclusion. By reclassifying marijuana, the Food and Drug Administration would standardize the research conducted on the drug, an important step in studying whether or not it could be an effective therapy for some conditions.

Related Link: Obama Says Marijuana Legislation Will Be Left Up To State Governments

The AAP also said that while the drug could turn out to be a viable treatment option for children, the research is equally important in order to help educate people on its affects and prevent underage use.

Backing from the AAP is likely to carry a heavy weight in Washington, where the organization is considered an important voice looking to protect the well-being of children. With the Obama administration already considering the benefits of reclassifying marijuana, many see AAP endorsement as a strong push to follow through.