Conflicting Messages about Marijuana Leading to Rise in Use Among Youth?

A recent study shows up to a 10% rise in the amount of use of marijuana in the past year among youths between grades 8 and 12. (source: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20101214/marijuana-use-spikes-among-us-teens) While acute toxicity from marijuana use is known to be low, and overdose is not likely, several other problems related to marijuana use among young people have a good scientific basis including affecting learning, memory, and involvement in risky behavior.  Chronic use of marijuana can also lead to psychological dependence and increased tolerance, which in turn, lead to increased use and abuse.

While marijuana use is gaining more acceptability among the public, and medical marijuana is legal in sixteen states, is it worthy to suggest that young people may be getting mixed messages from government and advocates of medical marijuana?

It is my opinion that youth need as much reliable information about marijuana use as possible.  They need to know that it is not as dangerous as the U.S. government previously said it was, but that it is still something that should be avoided, especially among youth, whose brains and decision-making skills are still developing.  Myths that persist about marijuana use should be confronted, such as thinking that smoking marijuana and driving is safe or that marijuana is not addictive.

Also, I think that some consensus needs to be reached about the method of administration of marijuana.  Clearly, many people are benefiting from its use in treating a wide variety of illnesses and symptoms.  But why is smoking marijuana still the most popular form of medical use?  I realize that it is the quickest way to feel the effects, but one can gain the same effects from eating it too and thus limit the harm from the smoke, right?

Finally, I think that government officials need to do a much better job communicating to youth about why the FDA has not yet approved marijuana for medical uses, and to help providers and researchers find ways to standardize and control the quality and potency of marijuana, and ultimately allow manufacturers to provide it safely to members of the public who need it.  If they can't, they risk continuing to create confusion around a drug that has tremendous benefit, some harms and potential for abuse and dependence, and widespread and increasing use among youth as well as adults.