Pubdate: Fri, 30 Oct 2015
Source: Blade, The (Toledo, OH)
Copyright: 2015 The Blade
Contact:  http://www.toledoblade.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/48
Author: Robert Slasinski

POT FINE AS MEDICINE, BUT NOT FOR RECREATION

Marijuana use for medical purposes should be legal, but use of it for 
recreational purposes should not ("Ohio's marijuana question: Science 
still unclear on possible perils of prolonged pot use; Federal 
regulations impede research," Oct. 25). Some studies of children born 
to parents who used marijuana during the mother's pregnancy have 
shown that the permanent effects of marijuana include negatively 
impacted cognition and memory skills throughout the life of the child.

Secondhand smoke from marijuana, as with tobacco, impairs blood 
vessel function. That is unfair to people who do not smoke marijuana 
but may be exposed to it.

Will people driving under the influence of marijuana be treated the 
same as a person driving under the influence of alcohol? Just as we 
do not want drunken drivers on the streets, do we want people driving 
who may be high on marijuana?

Will parents and others be cautious enough to keep marijuana locked 
up, so a child doesn't have access to it?

It's sad that we cannot think of better ways to raise revenue than by 
trying to pass a law that may create a new set of problems. Marijuana 
is still a drug that for some may be a gateway to stronger drugs.

ROBERT SLASINSKI

Kingsbury Avenue
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom