Pubdate: Tue, 12 May 2009
Source: Reno Gazette-Journal (NV)
Copyright: 2009 Reno Gazette-Journal
Contact: http://www.rgj.com/helpdesk/news/letter_to_editor.php
Website: http://www.rgj.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/363
Author: Margaret Salas

IS THIS WHAT WE WANT FOR OUR KIDS?

I find it very hard to understand why altering your moods and way of 
thinking by smoking marijuana is a good thing. Some are trying to get 
it legalized to gain revenue. Others are fighting for it for pain 
control. If it's such a good harmless substance for pain control, why 
aren't the drug companies latching on to this? Most original pain 
medications are made from plants.

Cigarettes are almost banned, because it's supposed to harm our 
health. So in its place will be packs of marijuana. Will that be 
better for us? What about the smokers and their children?

I haven't seen any sound research done to tell us what marijuana does 
to your brain, lungs and other organs. It's supposed to stay in your 
system for weeks after you smoke it. Is that a good thing?

Any time I've observed a person who smokes this stuff, their eyes are 
bloodshot. Why? They are numbed to their surroundings. Why? Some 
become paranoid. Why? They don't seem very productive in life. Being 
responsible comes in spurts. Their memory is sparse.

Is this what we want for our future generations, the next generation 
that will be running our country someday?

Margaret Salas, Reno
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom