U.S. pediatricians reaffirm opposition to legalized pot

By Andrew M. Seaman (Reuters Health) - Despite moves by some states to allow recreational and medical use of marijuana, a large group of U.S. pediatricians says in a new statement that the substance should remain – for the most part – illegal. In an update to its 2004 position statement on the matter, the American Academy of Pediatrics also calls for decriminalization of marijuana to lessen the lasting effects of criminal charges brought against youths – especially minorities. Decriminalization of marijuana “takes this whole issue out of the criminal justice system and puts it into the health system, where it really should be,” said Dr. Seth Ammerman, the statement’s lead author from Stanford University in California. “What that would look like - we hope – (is) if you’re found to be in possession of marijuana as a kid, instead of going to jail, juvenile hall or getting some sort of record, you’d be put in some sort of diversion or treatment program,” Ammerman told Reuters Health. via Health News Headlines - Yahoo News Read More Here..