Chicago's acting health commissioner concerned pot use by young will surge after legalization

Acting city Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said Friday she's concerned about a surge in marijuana use among young people when recreational weed becomes legal on Jan. 1 - and the time to start preparing for it is now.

"All substances - marijuana included - have major impacts on brains that are still developing. And brains are still developing up until ... the age of 25," Arwady said.

"Our big focus, as it's been for tobacco, is going to be on youth and making sure that kids, their families, their teachers, their pediatricians understand some of the risks."

Arwady said she was on a call with the Chicago Public Schools this week about education campaigns and school services that must be put in place in case there's a surge of CPS students showing up at school high - or, even worse, driving after smoking or ingesting marijuana products.

The acting health commissioner noted young people are well aware of the dangers of drinking and driving, but they need to be educated about the fact that marijuana and driving don't mix, either.

"For tobacco, we have done ... lunchroom takeovers, where you come into a high school lunchroom. It's not officials from the health department coming. You're identifying youth who want to be health advocates within schools who can talk about some of the concerns related to marijuana," the acting commissioner said.

Arwady said she is especially concerned about marijuana products that can be eaten - not smoked. They're more potent, and the market for those products is younger.

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