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Smart Approaches to Marijuana is pointing out the drug's addictiveness.

(The Associated Press)

As Colorado prepares for state-sanctioned sales of recreational marijuana, a group of addiction experts and legalization opponents on Tuesday spelled out what they described as the drug’s dark side.

In a conference call with reporters from across the country, t

he group,

, cited higher rates of marijuana use and addiction among young people, particularly teens. It also described widespread availability of marijuana, potent concentrates, and marijuana-infused products like candy, soda and sweets.

The group also said marijuana consumers face increased health and psychiatric problems.

Colorado is set to begin retail sales of recreational marijuana Jan. 1. Washington recently approved rules for its retail industry and is expected to see sales by summer.

The group opposing marijuana legalization includes former U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, who called Colorado and Washington “canaries in the coal mine.”

Kevin Sabet, a former national drug policy adviser, said the marijuana industry, like tobacco and gambling, profits from addicts, not occasional users.

“They do not make money off the occasional user,” he said.

Christian Thurstone, a psychiatrist and medical director of a Colorado youth substance-abuse-treatment clinic, said his program has doubled its staff to meet the demand for marijuana addiction treatment.

Sabet plans to travel to Oregon in January to meet with lawmakers, law enforcement and substance abuse treatment providers to discuss the legalization efforts here. The state has been

targeted by marijuana advocates as one of the next to follow in the footsteps of Colorado and Washington.

Sabet said Oregon voters have already rejected legalization and it should not be viewed as inevitable.

But he aknowledged that opponents face “uphill battles” here as they face well-funded legalization campaigns.

-- Noelle Crombie