Pubdate: Mon, 11 Aug 2008 Source: Poughkeepsie Journal (NY) Copyright: 2008 Poughkeepsie Journal Contact: http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/news/forms/letter-form.htm Website: http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1224 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n737/a08.html Author: Walter F. Wouk DRUG POLICY AGENCY MISLEADS ON MARIJUANA Any discussion of the Office of National Drug Control Policy's claim that today's marijuana is more potent than in the past ("Boomers, beware: Pot more potent now," July 28) must be prefaced by the fact the agency routinely lies about marijuana. Case in point: A recent report by the agency claimed frequent marijuana ingestion doubles a teen's risk of depression and anxiety. When questioned about the agency's claim that "using marijuana can cause depression and other mental illnesses," drug czar John Walters admitted there is no proof one leads to another. Similarly, the claim "marijuana potency is not the same as it was in the 1970s" goes "up in smoke." Researchers at the University of New South Wales, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, examined the potency of more than 100,000 pot seizures from around the world, concluding, "Claims made in the public domain about a 20- or 30-fold increase in cannabis potency and about the adverse mental health effects of cannabis contamination are not supported currently by the evidence." According to their report, in the United States, tetrahydrocannabinol levels of cannabis have risen slightly over the last 25 years, from about 1 percent to 4 percent. Yes, today there is much more potent pot available to consumers who can afford it but - speaking from the perspective of a citizen of "Woodstock Nation" - it was also available "back in the day." Anyone remember Thai Stick? The potency myth is the cornerstone of the government's misbegotten 70-year-old war on marijuana. It's time for a reality check. WALTER F. WOUK Cobleskill - --- MAP posted-by: Steve Heath