Pubdate: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 Source: Daily Record, The (Parsippany, NJ) Copyright: 2015 The Daily Record Contact: http://www.dailyrecord.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/112 Author: Joseph Wardy DON'T IGNORE MARIJUANA'S DANGERS Third Way and Anzalone Liszt Group conducted a poll from Sept. 25-29 indicating that 51 percent of people approve of marijuana being legalized. I am of the minority opinion based on three reasons: For certain people with addictive personalities, the use of marijuana can lead to hard drugs like heroin. My late brother started with marijuana and eventually became a heroine addict; Kids today face a "dumbing down" with the processes of creativity and critical thinking because of their attachment to the computer. Studies indicate that the use of marijuana reduces the brain's capacity; When in Vietnam, I had access to marijuana and other drugs and some soldiers used them as a form of escape. I'm fearful that people will use it as a way to function without thinking things through, another form of escape. Joseph Wardy RANDOLPH - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom