Pubdate: Mon, 10 Jul 2000
Source: Daily Telegraph (Australia)
Copyright: News Limited 2000
Contact:  http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/
Author: Ruth Williams
Note: Headline supplied by Newshawk

LEGAL MARIJUANA LESS DANGEROUS

In response to Greg Taylor and Mitchell Beston (Letters, July 7) regarding
the drug situation in NSW, a danger to young people's health should be
pointed out.  Because it is illegal to grow marijuana, those who buy it have
no control over chemicals that may be added in the growing process,
especially with hydroponic methods.  The product would not be washed before
smoking, so these chemicals would obviously be experienced by the body,
especially the back of the throat and lungs.  Quite apart from THC, with its
known therapeutic properties and very common use, these added chemicals
could be having harmful long-term health effects.  If marijuana was
legalised, then at least people could grow their own and control the
chemicals used.

Ruth Williams, Glebe
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