These factoids proved persuasive to the Colorado Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Board of Directors, who have now endorsed the letter as well.
The campaigners in favor of Amendment 64 countered with a physician of their own: Dr. Richard Karsh, a Colorado Springs doc certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. He responded to the letter with this statement:
I share my colleagues’ desire to prevent and reduce the use of marijuana by teens, but I do not agree with their desire to maintain our current system of marijuana prohibition. Not only has it failed to accomplish that goal, it has been exceptionally counterproductive.
If our goal is to control marijuana and keep it out of the hands of teens, it makes little sense to keep it in entirely uncontrolled underground market, where those selling it do not ask for ID and might also have access to other more dangerous drugs.
Marijuana prohibition poses far more health and safety problems than it solves, which is why hundreds of Colorado physicians and I support Amendment 64. It is time for a more sensible, evidence-based approach.