MISSOULA — According to medical experts who spoke to the Missoula City Council on Wednesday, the potency of recreational marijuana has increased in recent years. Despite messaging that portrays marijuana as a safe and natural product with minimal side effects, experts warned that this is false. Cannabis use among youth can have severe and irreversible consequences, including schizophrenia, suicide, and high rates of anxiety and depression.
Backers of a proposal to regulate marijuana sales in Missoula expressed concerns about the growing THC levels in today’s products. Jacqueline Cline, a certified prevention specialist in Missoula, emphasized the health risks associated with cannabis use, particularly among youth.
The City Council scheduled a public hearing for July to consider proposals aimed at reducing youth marijuana use. These proposals include placing a moratorium on new business licenses for recreational dispensaries, implementing criminal sanctions for selling marijuana to individuals under 21, and enforcing indoor vaping laws.
Missoula currently has 51 dispensaries, with an additional eight pending licenses. The city has one dispensary per 1,500 residents, a higher ratio than cities like Eugene and Spokane.
Health officials presented statistics showing the increased potency of THC products over the years, with today’s products containing as much as 60% THC. Experts highlighted the negative impacts on youth, including higher rates of cannabis-use disorder and health issues such as anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairment.
Despite some opposition, the proposed measures received support from local educators, family services, and law enforcement officials. The resolution aims to address youth marijuana use through compliance checks, enforcement of marketing laws, and allocating marijuana tax revenue for prevention and treatment programs.
A public hearing for the proposal is set for early July, with most council members in favor of the recommendations. The resolution includes a moratorium on new dispensary licenses and criminal sanctions for selling marijuana to minors, measures that aim to protect the health and well-being of the city’s youth.
