Pubdate: Sun, 22 Feb 2009
Source: News Tribune, The (Tacoma, WA)
Copyright: 2009 Tacoma News Inc.
Contact:  http://www.thenewstribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/442
Author: Sheila Marston
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n181/a09.html

MARIJUANA: TOO DANGEROUS TO LEGALIZE THIS GATEWAY DRUG

Re: Robert Sharpe's support for legalizing marijuana  (letter, 2-15).

Brain scans of habitual marijuana users reflect  significant damage.
The use of marijuana as an  introductory drug often leads to the abuse
of more  potently addictive drugs.

Marijuana is known to destroy one's ability to motivate  oneself in
life. Family members and employers lose the  ability to connect
positively with the lethargic,  slower-responding mind of the
marijuana user.

Athletes like Michael Phelps with a history of ADHD are  prime
candidates for addiction and more. Withdrawal of  financial rewards is
appropriate for his failure to  maintain role-modeling behavior.

If he learns a lesson, it may save him from a future  life of
drug-induced pain inflicted on himself and  others.

Sheila Marston

Fircrest
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin