Pubdate: Wed, 21 Nov 2007 Source: All State, The (Austin Peay State University, TN) Copyright: 2007 The All State Contact: http://www.theallstate.com/home/lettertotheeditor/ Website: http://www.theallstate.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4469 Author: Daniel Gregg Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Marijuana) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) MARIJUANA TAKES UNNECESSARY HITS I have a growing dislike for the phrase "drugs and alcohol." This term strengthens the notion that the two are separate entities. However, there is little difference between the two substances. According to hypno linguistics (www.hypnolinguistics.com), they both are substances that alter the mind. As a teenager, I was taught frequently about sex in school. Why shouldn't drugs and alcohol be treated the same way? As our generation has aged, we have been conditioned to buy into the dangers of drugs. Upon first reference to drugs, marijuana was the first thing to come to mind. I was taught to look at marijuana in this negative light. But when hearing the word "alcohol," not as many negative connotations come to mind. I feel that this is a common perception among our generation. Marijuana has been demonized, but alcohol also has many health threatening side effects yet it is still viewed in a much more positive light. Alcohol is known to have some health benefits with moderate consumption, but the negative consequences may outweigh the good. According to the publication Scientific American Mind, alcohol destroys brain cells as well as lives with irresponsible usage. Alcohol poisoning is far too common, and one of the most severe consequences of drinking. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20,000 annual American deaths are due to alcohol poisoning. According to the Mayo Clinic's Web site (www.mayoclinic.com), alcohol can lead to cancer of the liver, esophagus, larynx, pharynx and mouth. In addition, there is a risk of sudden death with people who have cardiovascular disease. Many other problems with alcohol include stroke, brain atrophy (shrinkage), cirrhosis of the liver, miscarriage and impaired brain functioning which can effect a person's ability to drive. On the other hand, marijuana has been viewed in the past as a menacing drug by a majority of politicians, but what do the facts indicate? I feel, most of the side effects of marijuana are only mild compared to alcohol and the benefits greatly outweigh them. No one has ever died from an overdose of marijuana, according to Mason Tvert, the campaign director for Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation. Some benefits from this drug include the relief it offers ill patients such as: Increasing appetite in AIDS patients and providing therapy for glaucoma. These illnesses give a person great discomfort and pain that marijuana helps relieve. One beneficiary of (openly admitting) using marijuana is a well-known talk show host, Montel Williams. He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999. Williams uses marijuana to relieve pain in his knee and foot after trying other drugs such as Oxycontin. Williams clarifies that not all users live up to the negative image associated with marijuana. Many are functioning adults that have a family and work nine-to-five jobs. As Williams has clarified on his talk show: "I want you to meet someone who's not a drug dealer, not a dope addict, just somebody who's trying to get up every morning and go to work." In Montel Williams view, the drug should be legalized. As with many other prescribed medications, marijuana does have some mild side effects, such as memory loss and impaired thinking. According to Dr. Donald Tashkin, a pulmonologist and University of California professor of medicine, the slowing down of brain cells is a direct result of a fatty substance coating the brain cell. This is like having overweight brain cells that work slower, but if use of the drug is terminated then the cells "work out" or lose the excess fat that coats them. The smoking of marijuana causes other problems. These problems include throat and lung cancer, as well as other respiratory problems. In high school, I was told that marijuana could lead to the use of harder drugs because a majority of users say marijuana is a "gateway" drug. This is quite a bit of an overgeneralization. By stating this, one may also say that since a majority of terrorists are Muslim, a Muslim has a better chance of being a terrorist. It's statements like these that lead to creating more of a problem than there really is. The money spent throwing dealers and users in jail, could be better spent on our public schools and health care facilities. With society's stigma on the use of marijuana, it is very difficult to get anyone to see the positive effects marijuana can have. Everyone is entitled to the truth, not just what their parents and society has embedded into their brain. Before making an assumption about marijuana, get informed. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake