The legalization of marijuana for responsible recreational use has been a hot-button issue in recent years, and the push has only grown. Colorado and Washington state have legalized the plant, and a marijuana legalization initiative— Proposition 64— is on the ballot in California for the general election.

The debate over the drug’s effect on revenue versus its effect on health remains fierce. No matter how one feels about the legalization of marijuana, the Benicia Police Department and Benicia Unified School District believe it is important to consider the impacts, especially as they pertain to the youth. To help provide some insight, the Benicia Youth Action Coalition and Benicia High School will be hosting a forum titled “Weeding Out the Facts.”

Although Prop 64 explicitly states that recreational cannabis will only be legal for adults 21 and older, the use of marijuana among teens remains an issue. According to the most recent Monitoring the Future study conducted by the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research, 34 percent of surveyed U.S. high school seniors admitted to doing marijuana in the past year.

Patti Baron, Benicia Police Department’s volunteer coordinator, says the goal is not to get into the politics of marijuana or tell people how to vote but rather inform parents about the risks associated with marijuana on adolescents.

“Our focus is to educate,” she said. “We certainly don’t take a stance on any political issues whatsoever. We just try and get the educational information out there.”

The Benicia Youth Action Coalition hosted a marijuana forum last year at the Clock Tower and will do so again next Thursday at Benicia High. The keynote speaker will be John Redman of Californians For a Drug Free Youth. He will be delivering a Power Point presentation to discuss such topics as the health effects of youth marijuana use, the impact that marijuana legalization has on youth and the potency of marijuana of the past compared to marijuana today.

“The idea is to educate parents on the statistics that are out there about youth and marijuana use,” she said. “The THC levels in marijuana these days is a lot different than it was in the old days.”

Redman will also look at how marijuana has impacted the youth in Colorado and Washington following the legalization in both states.

Baron hopes that parents and students alike come to the presentation.

“We’re providing an educational forum and hope that they’re better informed,” she said.

“Weeding Out the Facts” will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 6 in Benicia High’s Performing Arts Building, located at 1101 Military West. The event is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served. Redman will also be delivering the same presentation at the Joseph A. Nelson Community Center in Fairfield on Monday, Oct. 3 and in Rio Vista on Wednesday, Oct. 5. For more information, contact Baron at 746-4268 or pbaron@ci.benicia.ca.us.

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