An important book for parents and legislators

I began this book expecting more heat than light, opinion based on ideology and oversimplified case histories rather than objective evidence. In thirty years practicing addiction medicine in the trenches I’ve seen lots of horror stories treating more than my share of people suffering the short and longterm effects of cannabis. But I’m more interested in evidence than opinion, no matter how passionately held or articulately presented. Berenson surprised me. His past investigative journalism experience came through in his presentation of important published (peer reviewed) research findings that, even when I checked his facts, I found alarming. I had known of a causative link between cannabinoid use and psychosis, however I was unaware of the strength of the existing, published evidence nor the disturbing association of cannabinoid induced psychosis and violent crime. He goes on to explore and debunk many of the pro-legalization arguments that flooded the media leading up to major legislative changes.

Although this book is very important, there several reasons, I doubt it will significantly influence decision makers or the public. Despite not being written as a science paper with formal citations, endnotes and bibliography, it is data heavy, describing study after study making it, at times, heavy going. I also suspect it will attract the ire and some persuasive - if not exactly evidence-based - reaction op/ed essays from critics on behalf of the well financed Cannabis lobby.

In the final pages his new book, Homo Deus, Harrari explains that, during these times of data overload, censorship works through flooding people with irrelevant and confusing information. It is unfortunate but highly likely Berenson’s book will be lost in the tsunami of advertorials and infomercial misinformation praising the global benefits of cannabis. Too bad, as he provides important cautionary information for lawmakers for parents or for people thinking of ingesting marijuana or cannabinoid products. He also provides a solid framework for the basis of a future class action law suit against legislators and corporations who had access to this same information.

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1 person found this helpful

mindblown

engaging and really shifted my perspective. really important read. such important information for parents to read.

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