Pubdate: Thu, 21 Jul 2016 Source: San Diego Union Tribune (CA) Copyright: 2016 Union-Tribune Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.utsandiego.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/386 Note: Seldom prints LTEs from outside it's circulation area. Author: Kim Vaughn POT NOT AS HARMLESS AS IT IS PORTRAYED TO BE To add to Katie Dexter's column ("Legalizing recreational marijuana hurts youth, families," July 16), there are other reasons not to legalize recreational marijuana. First, there are permanent disabling effects of heavy use of marijuana. My mother-in-law worked with these patients at a mental hospital. Second, law enforcement and health professionals state that marijuana is a gateway drug to heavier drugs. This will not keep people from looking to illegal drugs. Last, families of drug offenders suffer when their loved ones are trying to get clean. The media need to address these facts. Kim Vaughn San Diego - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom