43
The Board approved a "position" saying marijuana use is not benign
YOUNGSTOWN
The Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board took a unanimous stand against marijuana use.
With knowledge that the county Mental Health and Recovery Board cannot, as a public entity, take a position on a particular state ballot issue, the board’s program and policy committee recommended the adoption of a “Position on Use of Marijuana” as an educational tool, said Duane Piccirilli, executive director, at the board’s meeting Monday.
Issue 3, which would legalize the growth and sale of recreational and medical marijuana in Ohio, is on the November ballot.
The language of the board’s anti-marijuana resolution was approved by Dionne M. Almasy, Mahoning County assistant prosecuting attorney.
In her legal opinion, Almasy said, “The board may not use public funds to support or oppose the ballot issue. However, the board may disseminate information about the effects of the use of marijuana.”
In part, the resolution says: “The Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board believes the use of marijuana is not benign, which is consistent with major medical organizations. Studies clearly outline the physical harm of marijuana, including increasing risk of psychotic disease by five times, and that adolescents are especially vulnerable to its many know adverse effects.
“The Board also believes that marijuana for medicinal purposes should be subject to the same research, consideration and study as any other potential medicine, under the standards of the United States Food and Drug Administration.”
“Everybody knows that marijuana is a gateway drug for other illegal drugs, especially for youth. It’s something that destroys lives,” said Joseph Sylvester, executive director of Turning Point Counseling Services.