Pubdate: Wed, 22 Jun 2011 Source: Times-Herald, The (Vallejo, CA) Copyright: 2011 The Times-Herald Contact: http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/993 Author: James Christopher Wiley PROBLEMS WITH CANNABIS As I get older, I look back in my past and wonder why. I was an individual who used to smoke marijuana on a daily basis for most of my life, up until about seven years ago, when I stopped because I don't feel the need to get stoned any more, and because of employment reasons. Nevertheless, I cannot understand the latest craze of medical marijuana. It seems that marijuana dispensaries are popping up all over the place, and the medical field is letting our society get stoned. Another thing I don't understand is what some may call better health -- how can a person be in better health and get any work done when you're stoned all the time? In reality, it is a ploy for the downfall of American society. Because if you look in the past, what happened in opium dens is happening now with cannabis clubs. People are smoking pot and people are getting lazy. No wonder why American society is in such perils and on a spiral down to the depths of the bottom. I understand that marijuana can help people with cancer and other diseases, but this has gotten way out of hand. Especially here in Vallejo. There is no way to measure the amount of THC in marijuana like there is in alcohol, so how can one tell if they're getting too much or too little? Sometimes I don't know what's wrong with our government, but I know eventually they will make money on this. I believe in my heart that the government should impose a special tax on these dispensaries up to 10 times the amount and use the money for good. Now let's go to the far side. Would you want a firefighter stoned, and coming to the scene not knowing what to do? How about a PG&E worker? Would you want him stoned out out of his mind, working with high voltage? I could go on giving examples, but I think you get my point. The only problem I have with this cannabis club is that it is ruining American society, and I think we have to get a grip on reality and get back to basics, and help this country, not tear it apart. From a man that cares and loves his town, Vallejo. James Christopher Wiley Vallejo - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.