Pubdate: Mon, 23 Feb 2009 Source: Kirkland Reporter (WA) Copyright: 2009 Sound Publishing Contact: http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/kir/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4930 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n207/a04.html Author: Floyd Krautner POST SMOKERS DO NOT SUFFER BRAIN DAMAGE (In response to a Feb. 18 letter "Rick Steves Marijuana Mission Not Worthwhile). As a pot smoking writer for the past 46 years with three books rated as best in their field in the last four years, I'm wondering when this mythical brain damage John Navroth is so concerned about will set in. Besides my books, I have created two top selling DVDs in the last 2 years. If Mr Navroth thinks there is mental impairment from cannabis, how does he explain me getting past a rugged learning curve to do the DVD camera work and the brain-busting post production titles, graphics, transitions etc etc etc involved in doing DVD composition in about 3 months. It generally takes students a year or more to get to the point where they have a handle the clip management, editing and replication, not to mention that operating a professional DVD camera is way more than a point and click operation. And I smoke pot almost every day. How does Navroth explain the scores of highly successful musicians who use marijuana such as Willie Nelson, Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Mick Jagger Art Garfunkel Jimmy Dorsey Johnny Cash, John Lennon, and Louis Armstrong to name a few. If Navroth thinks creating music and running a successful band is easy he should give it a try. And what about the fact that the last three Presidents admit marijuana use. Politics and music are the most highly competitive careers in the world and mentally disabled people cannot compete. How do so many pot smokers manage to succeed, if marijuana puts them out of touch with reality. Floyd Krautner Bakersfield, Calif.