Pubdate: Tue, 30 Jul 2013 Source: Abbotsford Times (CN BC) Copyright: 2013 The Abbotsford Times Contact: http://www.abbotsfordtimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1009 Author: Eric Myrholm Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n355/a03.html STOP THE INSANITY; GET OFF THE POT The headline in the July 23 issue of the Times reads "Pot debate heating up again." Will this 'insanity'never stop? There are so many negative effects caused by marijuana that it would be impossible to list them all. According to U.S. DEA a large percentage of those arrested for crimes test positive for marijuana: "Forty per cent of adult males tested positive at time of arrest. Of adults 26 or older who used marijuana before the age of 15, 62 per cent went on to use cocaine at some point in their lives, nine per cent went on to use heroin at least once and 54 per cent made non-medical use of mind-altering prescription drugs." Next to alcohol, marijuana is the second-most frequently found substance in the bodies of drivers involved in fatal automobile accidents. Marijuana contains more than 400 known chemicals, including the same cancer causing substances found in tobacco and 50-70 per cent more cancer causing substances than tobacco. Pot smokers tend to inhale deeply and hold smoke worsening damage to the lungs. THC stays in the body for weeks or months, depending on usage. THC damages the immune system, male sperm etc. Let's protect our youth. Say "no" to the harmful and possibly addictive drug, marijuana. Eric Myrholm, Abbotsford - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom