1 Department of Pediatrics, Methodist Hospital of Brooklyn, and Educational Clinic, Queens College, Flushing, Long Island, 10 Links Drive, Lake Success, New York 11020
2 Educational Clinic, Queens College
3 Adolescent Service, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, New York, Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center
It has become increasingly clear in the last year that the use of marijuana by today's youth is escalating to epidemic proportions. The number of articles on this subject appearing in popular and scientific journals, as well as the amount of news and editorial coverage by our newspapers, attests to this fact. Mounting public concern has been accompanied by ambivalent attitudes. Many ask: is it safe? Does it have less effect than alcohol? Will it trigger psychological problems? And will longterm usage have deleterious physical effects? These and other questions are being raised. Yet, opinions by the population in general and the professionals in particular are varied and often diametrically opposed.