Pubdate: Sun, 27 Apr 2014
Source: East Valley Tribune (AZ)
Copyright: 2014 East Valley Tribune.
Contact: http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/opinion/submit_a_letter/
Website: http://www.eastvalleytribune.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2708
Author: Linda Turley-Hansen

LIKE BOOZE AND PORN, POT CHANGES THE BRAIN

Marijuana not as harmless as you thought?

Years back, I worked with a man who dabbled in still-photography. He
was a great fellow who enjoyed the artistic world. He also enjoyed his
cannabis. I don't know how much of it he used, but it was enough that
he confessed some time later that when he was "not high" he was
surprised to discover that his photos were not as great as he thought
at the time. When he proudly showed his work to me, I always thought
the photographs were dark, but I brushed it off thinking deep shadows
were his "technique." Turns out, it wasn't technique, it was illusion
from a distorted perspective. I remember him saying he was "really
embarrassed" to discover the truth.

Actually, our world prefers illusion. So why not indulge it, create it
and raise our kids in it? Thus, the push for legitimizing marijuana
for recreational uses. After all, alcohol is legal. And, look at how
much fun it is. Many in the science and medical fields have long known
cannabis was not harmless, but suddenly, others are awakening. In
fact, that "news" actually made recent headlines.

One warned: "Casual Marijuana Use Linked with Brain Abnormalities."
The expression "duh," came to mind, but truthfully, I'm celebrating
media exposure on the dangers of this popular, recreational drug.
There's a whole world of youth, who use, under the guise it is
harmless. My quotes come from www.huffingtonpost.com, Healthy Living.
Huffington is generally considered a liberal publication. Though it
was widely reported, I chose that source for my favorite progressive
readers. Maybe it'll speak to them.

The report says that young adults who, before they underwent the
study, "were not dependent on pot, nor did they show any
marijuana-related problems." After the study, these conclusions:
"'What we think we are seeing here is a very early indication of what
becomes a problem later on with prolonged use,' things like lack of
focus and impaired judgment, said Dr. Hans Breiter, a study author."

The study was notably small, 20 volunteers who used and 20 who did
not. The authors of the study say they need to dig deeper. My question
is: Now? Where have you been the last 60 years?

To clarify: I support marijuana as a proven medical remedy for the ill
- - the truly ill - and that's where it belongs. Those who use it as a
play thing, as an escape, are foolish and ignorant. And, it's clearly
a "gateway" into heavy substances.

Even with this additional evidence, many will still support
legalization of cannabis. They'll say legalization will take the
intrigue away, thus eliminating temptation for those who seek illegal
thrills. Ya' think? Has that worked with alcohol?

Or, is it Arizona's responsibility to alert their youth (and adults,
too), through laws, to the dangers of certain substances and drugs;
one more barrier? Why lie to kids? It's our job to tell them over and
over from toddler through teen.

But, OK let's celebrate the latest research and plans for more. Let's
take another 60 years to ponder what many have warned about. And,
decades more children and brain cells will be lost to the future. But
sure, double check. Let's get this information into the can, so that
as with alcohol dependence, those who tamper with poison can never say
they were never warned.

There is something intriguing, though, in all this: When you lose
brain cells, how do you know?
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MAP posted-by: Matt