Pubdate: Sun, 28 Feb 2016
Source: Sacramento Bee (CA)
Copyright: 2016 The Sacramento Bee
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/0n4cG7L1
Website: http://www.sacbee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/376
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v16/n102/a01.html
Author: Stan White

POT HEALTH CLAIMS EXAGGERATED

Re "Pot initiatives fail to give public health proper priority" 
(Forum, Another View, Feb. 21): Rachel Barry and Stanton Glantz's 
suggestion to reject proposed citizens initiatives based on their 
personal health findings is flawed and frightening. Marijuana should 
not be treated similar to tobacco, which kills more than 1,000 
Americans daily and causes cancer. It should be treated similar to 
alcohol and be socially acceptable for responsible adults to use.

The implication that cannabis causes cancer, even though there isn't 
one single case of cancer recorded, ignores the facts. Rather 
cannabis has proven safe, and it's less addictive than coffee.

Further, legalizing the plant does not suddenly create an 
"unrestrained marijuana market." The black market has been 
unrestrained and thriving for decades. The only difference is, once 
legalized, citizens force government to regulate the plant rather 
than forcing the black market to regulate it.

STAN WHITE, DILLON, COLO.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom