Pubdate: Sat, 22 Mar 2014
Source: Albany Democrat-Herald (OR)
Copyright: 2014 Lee Enterprises
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/HPOp5PfB
Website: http://www.democratherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/7
Author: Jeani West

LEAVE SMOKERS ALONE

According to the American Lung Association, "Marijuana smoke contains 
33 cancer-causing chemicals. Compared to tobacco, it deposits four 
times as much tar into the lungs. It impairs: the short-term memory 
and motor coordination, alters mood, judgement, and decision-making." 
Based on those facts alone, I would have to think that second-hand 
marijuana smoke is as harmful as tobacco smoke.

Medical marijuana has pretty much legalized the sale and use of 
marijuana in Oregon; still, many are pushing hard to legalize 
recreational marijuana. These same people are determined to punish 
the tobacco users by limiting where and when they can smoke and 
imposing a new tax on the product whenever they need more money for 
some pet project.

They claim that there are a lot of medical benefits to using 
marijuana, but they used to say that about tobacco, and even 
encouraged the nursing mothers to smoke, saying it was beneficial to the child.

They also say that smokers are a burden to our health care system, 
but so is abortion, sexually transmitted disease, drug use and 
obesity. Yet, they do nothing to punish or even criticize those people.

Tobacco is a legal product in the state of Oregon and if the excuse 
to tax and limit people who used the product is protecting the 
children, then let's ban the sale of tobacco in Oregon completely. 
Until they are willing to do that, I think the state of Oregon should 
get off the backs of the smokers.

No, I don't smoke or use tobacco products, but that is my choice, not 
the state of Oregon's.

Jeani West, Sweet Home (March 15)
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom