Pubdate: Tue, 06 May 2014
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2014 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: Matthew L. Springer
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n383/a10.html
Page: 15A

CSO SHOULDN'T CATER TO POT USERS

Re: "Cannabis, symphony in concert for series," April 29 news story.

As a symphony musician and a biomedical researcher who studies the
effects of secondhand smoke on the cardiovascular system, I was
dismayed to read about the Colorado Symphony Orchestra's plan to
perform a series of bring-your-own-marijuana concerts sponsored by the
cannabis industry.

There is no reason to believe that marijuana smoke, including
secondhand smoke, is less harmful than tobacco smoke. Regardless of
the nicotine, both kinds of smoke contain thousands of chemicals, many
of which are carcinogens, and smoke from sources other than tobacco
cigarettes can still cause rapid harmful effects on the heart and
blood vessels.

To encourage audiences to be exposed to secondhand smoke is
irresponsible and disrespectful of their health needs. If the CSO
wishes to increase its audience base, the last thing it should do is
to increase audience members' chances of heart attack and stroke.

Matthew L. Springer, San Francisco

The writer is an associate professor in the Division of Cardiology and
the Center for Tobacco Control Research & Education at the University
of California, San Francisco.
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MAP posted-by: Matt