MARIJUANA PLANTS GROW at a lab in Cottage Grove, Minn., June 17, 2015. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, file)
IRON MOUNTAIN — A mental health worker discussed negative effects of marijuana at a Dickinson County Board meeting Monday, aiming not to dispute Michigan’s legalization of cannabis but pointing out risks.
Diedra Hinds-Springstroh, a nurse practitioner who provides telehealth services for Northpointe Behavioral Healthcare System, said there are no medications to treat cannabis addiction.
According to the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, research suggests about 9% of marijuana users develop addiction. The rate of addiction increases among those who start using at a young age and among those who use the drug daily.
Hinds-Springstroh cited studies linking chronic marijuana use with mental illness, including in some cases “a connection to psychosis.”
“It’s something to put out there,” she said, adding the use of other drugs would heighten worries. The market for marijuana in edible forms, such as gummies, has caused an increase in youth admission to emergency rooms for overdoses from marijuana, she said.
Hinds-Springstroh said she believes there’s a place for medical uses of cannabis, but recreational risk factors should be recognized.
Commissioner Ann Martin, a member of the Northpointe Board who had invited Hinds-Springstroh to share her concerns, noted only a small fraction of marijuana tax receipts are dedicated to substance abuse prevention and treatment.
Michigan voters approved adult-use marijuana legalization in 2018, with legal sales beginning the next year. Anyone with a valid ID who is older than age 21 can visit a recreational marijuana dispensary in Michigan.
The Cannabis Regulatory Agency regulates establishments and licensees in accordance with the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act. More information on the Cannabis Regulatory Agency is available at https://www.michigan.gov/cra.
In other action Monday, the county board:
— Received an $11,000 donation for the county’s Dive Rescue Team from the Borderhounds Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club. Jeremiah Jacobson, club treasurer, said more than 1,000 people attended a June 15 fundraiser at Lake Antoine Park. Chuck Lantz, organizer of the festival, thanked sponsors and supporters. Next year’s event is set for Saturday, June 14.
— Noted a Dickinson County Veteran Appreciation Picnic and Concert will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Lake Antoine Park. A concert is open to public from 2:30 to 10 p.m. The event is hosted by the Dickinson County Veteran Service Office. Controller Brian Bousley said it is funded entirely through grant money and donations, with no direct county appropriation,
— Approved a request from Dickinson Trail Network to use the county’s Pine Mountain property for staging the Tour de Dickinson bicycle event Saturday, Aug. 3, and a request from 22 Events Live to use the Pine Mountain stairs for the Pine Mountain 500 on Sunday, Aug. 4.
— Received information on a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, at Northpointe’s Kingsford office, 715 Pyle Drive. All donations will remain in the Upper Peninsula, said Mary Grable, Northpointe director of nursing. Walk-ins are welcome and there will be a drawing for a gift basket.
— Heard Commissioner Barbara Kramer suggest developing 60 county-owned acres adjacent to Ford Airport into a residential community with T-hangar space available for property owners to house their planes. Sales of lots would help fund updates to the airport terminal, which would include an indoor boarding ramp and other amenities, she said.
— Approved posting a district court recorder vacancy.
Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.
