Legalize Pot In Tennessee

A new bill called the Safe Access to Medical Cannabis Act was recently introduced to legislators in Nashville, Tennessee. This bill gives people with certain medical conditions legal access to marijuana with a prescription at the nearest pharmacy.

The Criminal Justice Subcommittee passed the Medical Cannabis Only Act on February 28^th, 2018 with House Speaker Beth Harwell as the tie-breaking vote.¹ “States that have enacted a medical cannabis program have seen a decrease in opioid use,” said Speaker Beth Harwell, explaining her support for the bill.

It is important to note that the Safe Access to Medical Cannabis Act does not make medical marijuana available to everyone. Specific terms have been laid out about which medical conditions qualify someone for marijuana use, how pharmacies would sell it and how producers and distributors would be licensed.

Whether or not this bill will continue to move forward in the legal process is, at present, uncertain.

The Truth About Marijuana

What is certain are the following facts on marijuana use in the United States. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse:

• 31 percent of 10^th graders have used marijuana at least once in their lifetime.
• Half of all 12^th graders have used marijuana at least once by the time they graduate.²

These numbers are staggering. If you or someone you love needs help with a marijuana problem, please call our helpline so we can help you get clean.

Marijuana remains one of the most used illegal substances among youth. And the drug is also one of the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States.¹ In 2015, more than 11 million young adults ages 18 to 25 used marijuana in the past year.³ While it is up to each individual to decide whether or not he wants to use marijuana, it is very important that the risks are clear with marijuana use.

Many people have the opinion that marijuana is safe, but research indicates otherwise. For example, a marijuana user may experience an increased heart rate, have respiratory problems such as a chronic cough and even face an increased risk for mental health problems.⁴ Marijuana is not an all-natural safe drug. In fact, the drug has become more potent over time.

Marijuana Rehab

If you or someone you love struggles with a marijuana problem, please know you are not alone, and help is available. Please give us call at The Oaks at La Paloma. You can reach us at the toll-free number listed above.One of our admissions coordinators is ready to answer your questions or provide you with any information you need.

If you have insurance, please have this information ready as we can tell you what forms of treatment are covered by your health insurance. If you don’t have health insurance, that is not a problem.We will gladly walk you through your options so you can make an informed decision. Please take this step forward today so you or your loved one can live a life without drugs.

¹ Kirkpatrick, Marion. “Medical Cannabis Bill Passes Subcommittee With Speaker Harwell’s Decisive Vote.” WSMV, February 27, 2018.

² “Brief Description: Marijuana.” National Institute on Drug Abuse, Accessed April 11, 2018.

³ “What Is Marijuana?” National Institute on Drug Abuse, Accessed April 11, 2018.

⁴ “Marijuana.” National Institutes of Health, Accessed April 11, 2018.