HEALTH Forum focuses on addiction epidemic

Local and state leaders came together last week in Walpole to talk about addiction, the stigma surrounding it and what everyone from the highest official to the average resident can do to help reduce both. And Question 4 entered the discussion.

"It's not just opiates, it's not just alcohol, we have an addiction epidemic," said Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey.

Morrissey, along with Sen. James Timilty, D-Walpole, Rep. John Rogers, D-Norwood, and a handful of Walpole local officials, including Police Chief John Carmichael, Town Administrator Jim Johnson and Fire Chief Tim Bailey, were all present at last Friday's legislative breakfast.

While there were a few scheduled speakers, the event was a way to have an informal discussion on what many officials see as a threat to not only the state's youth, but addiction in general: Question 4 on the Nov. 8 ballot. Its passage would legalize the growth, sale and possession of marijuana in Massachusetts.

"I don't want a generation of mush brains," said Morrissey.

Local officials, including the Walpole School District, expressed concern that legalization of marijuana could increase its access to youth, especially with the introduction of edible products with a higher THC content. THC is the main mind-altering ingredient found in marijuana.

"We have a zero tolerance policy and that wouldn't change," said Superintendent Lincoln Lynch.

Lynch said while he couldn't talk about his opinions related to the ballot question, he could talk about facts. He said expulsions, suspensions and emergency room visits in Colorado have increased since marijuana was legalized there. Alongside that, episodes of psychosis among children and teenagers who have ingested too much THC have also increased.

If Question 4 were to pass, enforcement of the law in the Walpole schools would change.

"We've already have training with the nurses, but we'd have to have more training with all of the staff," said Lynch. "It'd be almost impossible to enforce."

Walpole Police Chief John Carmichael has long been outspoken against the legalization of marijuana. According to Carmichael, once edibles enter the game, there's no way to tell if children - let along anyone - is consuming marijuana or just a snack.

"Under Question 4, if someone walks into the cafeteria with a bag of gummy bears and puts them on a table and a bunch of kids take one, how do you know if they're just eating gummy bears or eating edibles?" said Carmichael. "You don't know. There's no way to tell unless with behavioral changes."

On Thursday, a forum takes place at the Walpole Senior Center discussing Question 4 and its potential impact on the community. The forum will include an 11-minute movie on the comparison between the tobacco business and the growing marijuana business. The same presentation will be shown next Monday, as well. Both presentations begin at 7 p.m.

The legislative breakfast was coordinated by CHNA 7 MetroWest and the town of Walpole.

— Amanda Beland can be contacted at 508-921-1850 or abeland@wickedlocal.com. Follow her on Twitter @amanda_belandGH.