Pubdate: Fri, 19 Sep 2014
Source: Winnipeg Sun (CN MB)
Copyright: 2014 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact: http://www.winnipegsun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.winnipegsun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/503
Author: Bruce Symington
Page: 8
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor.
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n751/a02.html

POT'S OK MAN

Re: "Kettle black," Letters, Sept. 13.

Permitting something is not the same as promoting it. When you say
that there is some cognitive dissonance between the position of
attempting to reduce tobacco consumption, which kills many people, and
allowing those who wish, to consume cannabis, which has been
conclusively shown in studies to NOT cause the harms we know are
caused by tobacco, you are creating a straw man argument. The two
things are not the same, not even close. Your statement that "Smoking
marijuana has many of the same negative effects on the lungs as
smoking tobacco does." is incorrect. Google Donald P. Tashkin to see
the facts for yourself. Scientific studies totally refute your
position. Saying so don't make it so.

Bruce Symington

(You should read more of that study yourself. It says the risk from
marijuana is lower than the grave risk of tobacco and outlines the
potential damage. In no way does it "totally refute" the position.)
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MAP posted-by: Matt