Pubdate: Fri, 10 Jul 2015 Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ) Copyright: 2015 The Arizona Republic Contact: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/sendaletter.html Website: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/24 Author: Sally Schindel MONTINI'S VIEWS ON VACCINES ALSO APPLY TO MARIJUANA AND CHILDREN An EJ Montini piece about vaccinations contains noteworthy quotes.: "Science is clear that vaccines dramatically protect children. The science is sound." . "Parental choice can't allow one parent to put another parent's child at risk." I volunteer in substance abuse education and prevention. I noted these quotes because people give the risks of marijuana use a pass on this same line of reasoning. Yet, science is clear that marijuana is harmful, especially to children. The science is sound. Parental choice to legalize and use marijuana puts other parents' children at risk. Montini said insults are what's left when people run out of facts." I've noticed the same. No facts support positive outcomes from harm done to our children as the public continues implying marijuana is just a little bit harmful to the brain. The same Centers for Disease Control and Academy of Pediatrics he cites in defense of vaccinations also have spoken against pot, calling it a major public health problem. Let's stop giving marijuana use a public health pass. It's dangerous to an adolescent brain. - - Sally Schindel Prescott - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom