Pubdate: Tue, 06 May 2014
Source: Lompoc Record (CA)
Copyright: 2014 Lee Central Coast Newspapers
Contact: http://www.lompocrecord.com/contact/letter/
Website: http://www.lompocrecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/242
Author: Shane Castillo
Cited: http://mapinc.org/url/ErnRZPAa

MARIJUANA NOT HARMLESS

Marijuana is being hyped in the media. The audience picking up on this
consists of teens.

When kids are in their teen years, they become more receptive to
influences such as friends and media. Some teens are being influenced
by pro-marijuana ideas from the media and telling others about how it
is cool. It strengthens the power of the idea that's being planted in
their heads. Movies can impact the youth as pro-marijuana. These
movies show fun, playful antics of marijuana, but not any health
consequences.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) published a
document, "Marijuana Myth and Fact," that states, "Marijuana harms in
many ways, and kids are the most vulnerable to its damaging effects.
Use of the drug can lead to significant health, safety, social and
learning or behavioral problems, especially for young users."

Making teens more antisocial and less likely to do well in school,
marijuana should only be used for medical purposes. If marijuana
became legal for recreational uses, there would be a decline in
productivity.

Society should take charge of how marijuana is depicted in modern-day
life.

Shane Castillo
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MAP posted-by: Matt