Save the Date: Princeton Alcohol and Drug Alliance to host forum about marijuana next month

The Princeton Alcohol and Drug Alliance, in partnership with Corner House and the
Princeton Police Department, will hold a forum entitled, “Marijuana: Weeding Out the Myths” on Wednesday, May 24 from 7 p.m. to 0 p.m. in the John Witherspoon Middle School auditorium.

The program has been designed to educate middle and high school students, their parents, and other interested community members about the myths and realities of marijuana.

“There are many misconceptions floating around about marijuana, and it’s shocking how little many of us actually know about the little green plant,” an organizer said.

Topics that will be covered:

• Is marijuana addictive?
• Can you overdose on marijuana?
• Is it a gateway drug?
• Does using marijuana have long-term effects on the brain?
• Does it impact mental health?
• How does today’s marijuana differ from the marijuana of the past few decades?
• How is possessing marijuana legally different than underage drinking?
• Does marijuana impair driving the way alcohol does?
• What are the legal implications of being in a house or car when the police find
marijuana, even if it is not your house or car?
• Where can people go for help?

Experts will provide information and discuss what is going on in the Princeton community. The evening will begin with an analysis of the results of a student-initiated survey on marijuana perceptions and usage that was completed anonymously by Princeton high school students. This analysis will be followed by a presentation on the basics of marijuana and its effects.

Representatives of the Princeton Police Department will then explain what they’re seeing marijuana-wise in Princeton, and the consequences for arrest of marijuana possession. Members of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office will discuss its legal implications. The clinical director of Corner House will then talk about treatment options. The evening will wrap up with a panel discussion and Q&A featuring the evening’s speakers.

The evening will not be a forum about the legalization of marijuana. The intent of the forum is to provide accurate information and facilitate discussion so that everyone can make educated choices, organizers said.

For more information about “Marijuana: Weeding out the Myths,” contact CornerHouse at 609-924-8018 or jwoodman @ cornerhousenj.org.