Pubdate: Mon, 06 Feb 2012
Source: Gazette, The (Colorado Springs, CO)
Copyright: 2012 The Gazette
Contact: http://www.gazette.com/sections/opinion/submitletter/
Website: http://www.gazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/165
Author: John K. Smith
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n078/a10.html

CONCERN LAUDABLE, LOGIC VOID

In her letter of Jan. 27, Theresa Null, describes an acquaintance 
"Sarah", who had a stressful family life, made an apparent escape but 
then began using medical marijuana (MMJ), which, Null claims, caused 
"Sarah" to sink into apathy, affecting her responsibilities and relationships.

Null lists a whole litany of "Sarah" social ills (and bills) all of 
which she blames on (MMJ) thus dishing us up one of the most popular 
logical fallacies: Coincidental is not causal.

Given all of the things which have happened to Sarah, bad and good, 
it would take a gutsy professional to assign the blame for her 
apathy, let alone we amateurs. Some medical marijuana strains are 
suggested for their calming effect, others to energize the user.

Null makes little of the $66,000 in sales tax she says were collected 
on MMJ last month but ignores the very substantial fees levied by the 
cities and state over and above sales and use taxes. These are the 
best estimates of the responsible governing bodies to cover the 
social costs you refer to.

In summary, Ms. Null, your concern may be laudable. Your logic is, well, void!

John K. Smith

Colorado Springs
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom