I’ve been a family medicine doctor for 30 years. During that time, I’ve cared for patients of all ages, seen many things, and applied this experience to keep my patients healthy. Sadly, I have also seen countless examples of the terrible consequences of “recreational” drug use.

Whether the drug is marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, etc., the theme is similar. What may begin as just “try it once” to see what it’s like, or an escape from stress, or whatever the reason, it commonly becomes something much different. The drug becomes an escape from reality, a departure from personal responsibility, a barrier to productive school or work, a replacement for meaningful relationships with family and friends, and the pathway to poor health. It frequently leads to addiction and its adverse results.

Advocates of legalization try to mislead you and distinguish marijuana from “hard drugs.” That might have been true decades ago, but it’s not true today. The psychologically active ingredient of marijuana is THC. In the 1960’s, marijuana contained about 1 percent THC. In 2016, marijuana edibles contain from 30 percent to 70 percent THC. What may not have been addictive then is certainly addictive now.

What does today's marijuana do? Here’s the (scientifically proven) list: memory problems, impaired judgment and problem solving, loss of motivation, loss of coordination, impaired brain maturation in adolescents and teens, poor school performance, lower IQ, chronic bronchitis and lung damage, and higher rates of schizophrenia.

Colorado legalized “recreational” marijuana in 2012. Colorado is now paying the price, with higher rates of traffic death and more ER visits related to marijuana use, and the drug cartels are still in business.

Stop that mistake in Arizona. Consider facts, not hype. For our kids, for our health, for common sense, please vote no on Prop. 205!