DANGEROUS POT

Re: The editorial, Decriminalizing Pot, Aug. 16.

So the National Post would support a move to bring the country's
marijuana laws into line with public opinion. Marijuana has
significantly different effects on young people than on adults. We
recognize that while marijuana may be seen a moderate drug in its
effects on adults, it has serious short- and long-term negative
effects on young people. It is creating a class of students who are
compromising their short-term memory, their initiative and their
cognitive abilities -- not exactly the recipe for academic success.
One study, for example, of 51,000 Australian and overseas students by
the National Drug and Alcohol Centre highlighted the link between
cannabis use and poor school grades. It found that young cannabis
users were 2.3 times more likely to drop out of school and twice as
likely not to study further.

Ted Cooper, vice-chair, District 47 school board, Powell River, B.C.