Pubdate: Fri, 19 Jun 2015 Source: Press Democrat, The (Santa Rosa, CA) Copyright: 2015 The Press Democrat Contact: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/348 Author: Thomas Hannah POT RISKS EDITOR: Our federal government has wisely invested large sums of tax dollars in public health, publicizing the dangers of tobacco use. The subject of this concern is the carcinogens in tobacco, which are substances that cause cancer. The effects of advertising by our government, with the help of the American Cancer Society, have blunted the use of tobacco. A great hypocrisy now exists as pressure continues to mount on local, state and federal agencies to legalize the use of marijuana. Like tobacco, marijuana is inhaled through the lungs. The same carcinogens that are in tobacco exist in marijuana. Why are public officials caving in under the mounting pressure? Unrestricted marijuana use is going to cause a monstrous future health problem. Government agencies and area media denounce the real environmental damage done in the regional grow areas. Where is the concern for the real future health problems? I acknowledge the medical use of marijuana for those whose physical condition benefits from it. Could it be that our public officials are looking at the tax revenue that would be generated by legalizing pot without considering the greater impact of it being a consequential societal blunder? THOMAS HANNAH Rohnert Park - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom