U.S. foes of legal pot focus on risks to the brain

(Reuters) – With U.S. backers of legalized marijuana emboldened by victories in two states during the November elections, foes are ramping up efforts and honing their message to focus on risks they say the drug poses to mental health and intellectual development, especially for the young. A newly formed group, Project SAM, launched this month in Denver and headed by former Congressman Patrick Kennedy, has emerged as one of the main adversaries of legalizing pot. “I believe that drug use, which is to alter the mind, is injurious to the mind … …