Pubdate: Sun, 23 Jun 2013
Source: Boston Globe (MA)
Copyright: 2013 Globe Newspaper Company
Contact: http://services.bostonglobe.com/news/opeds/letter.aspx?id=6340
Website: http://bostonglobe.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/52
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n280/a07.html
Authors: Heidi Heilman and Jody Hensley

TV ALREADY GLORIFIES ALCOHOL, TOBACCO; DON'T CELEBRATE POT TOO

The Globe's article about marijuana and the media falls short on the 
truth about marijuana in America ("Puffs just part of the 
performance; Casual marijuana use becomes common on TV," Page A1, 
June 18). We have a tough enough time dealing with media messages 
glorifying alcohol and tobacco. These two drugs already cost American 
taxpayers 10 times more in social costs than they return in tax 
revenues. Do we want to add marijuana as another public health 
headache that'll afflict our young and impoverished most acutely?

The truth is that marijuana is addictive, has mental and physical 
health consequences, and puts more kids in treatment than any other 
drug. Legalizing marijuana would create another public health crisis. 
While the predatory pot industry's profits will skyrocket (as big 
tobacco takes over the production and distribution), the American 
public will become quickly burdened with the enormous economic fallout.

For sound public health and for the health of our economy, keeping 
marijuana relatively rare is the best policy. Currently, although far 
fewer people smoke marijuana than cigarettes or drink alcohol, 
marijuana is an increasingly expensive problem. In Massachusetts 
alone, there are four recovery high schools filled with kids 
recovering from pot addiction, and two more are slated to open soon. 
Normalizing marijuana in the media is the last thing our Commonwealth needs.

Heidi Heilman Jody Hensley Coordinators, Smart Approaches to 
Marijuana Massachusetts Westborough
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom