Pubdate: Fri, 15 Apr 2005
Source: Yorkshire Evening Press (UK)
Copyright: 2005 Newsquest Media Group
Contact:  http://www.thisisyork.co.uk
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2146
Author: Aled Jones
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom)
Cited: Legalise Cannabis Alliance http://www.lca-uk.org

WASTE OF TIME

In  response to the letter from Steve Clements of the Legalise Cannabis 
Alliance, I am sick of the drug being portrayed as some kind of miracle 
health drug which can rid the world of its trouble.

Can no one recognise cannabis for the waste of time it is, and that it 
causes so many harmful mental and physical side effects?

Most of the time, cannabis is portrayed as a "chill-out" drug that makes 
people mellow. But the truth is rather different. In reality, chronic 
cannabis users are prey to lung problems, colds, bronchitis and learning 
disabilities.

Persistent use will stimulate cancer cells in the body, just like tobacco. 
The drug has also been linked with social violence, because young men who 
take cannabis are five times more likely to be violent than those who avoid 
the drug.

I hope such a dangerous plant can be treated with the contempt it deserves 
because it should only ever be used for rope, cloth and oil.

Aled Jones, Mount Crescent, Bridlington.
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