MARIJUANA IS DANGEROUS!

In Mr. Miron's reply to "Marijuana, the Deceptive Drug," (February issue)
it is clear that he "protests too much." Having been involved for over
fifteen years in fighting those whose goal is legalization, in my opinion,
this article had no new rhetoric; the same old claims with the same lack of
substantiation.

In faulting Mr. Biernson's cited studies, why then, does Mr. Miron fail to
cite any studies to validate many of his statements?

Contrary to the Grinspoon/Bakalar quote: "...the only deleterious physical
effect of marijuana is harm to the pulmonary system," is a recent report
(December, 1999) by Dr. Zuo-Feng Zhang of the Jonsson Cancer Center at the
University of California, Los Angeles, which adds to evidence that smoking
marijuana can cause cancer. "Many people may think marijuana is harmless,
but it's not."

Mr. Miron's reference to the conclusions by Zimmer/Morgan which claim
"there is little evidence of any harm even from regular use," is a gross
misrepresentation of truth!

In testimony submitted by Drug Czar General Barry McCaffrey for the Record
to the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime, October 1, 1997:
"...misconceptions about marijuana continue to abound. Confused by
conflicting messages, it is no wonder that many Americans, especially our
youth, do not understand what current scientific research is teaching us
about the damaging effects of smoked marijuana. Current research points to
serious risks to society. Marijuana contains cancer-causing compounds,
reduces workplace productivity, and is increasingly prevalent in automobile
accidents and youth fatalities. Treatment figures for 1995 show that
141,000 Americans were admitted to drug treatment programs for marijuana
addiction. Over half (55%) of all youths ages 15-17 admitted to drug
treatment were seeking treatment for marijuana."

Miron's statement regarding text from Goodman and Gilman's reference that
"relatively few patients ever seek treatment for marijuana addiction," is
again refuted in a Washington Post article (01/12/2000, by Sally Squires)
"Biggest Short-Term Risks. Marijuana users are as uncoordinated as drunks
on standard driving tests, and more than 120,000 people seek treatment each
year for marijuana addiction, according to the National Institute on Drug
Abuse."

As Robert Gilkeson, M.D. stated: "The toxic properties of chemical
molecules and their cellular damage are not matters of opinion or debate.
They are not determined by adolescent servicemen, or by scientifically
uneducated lawyers, legislators, judges, or 'doctors' without the facts.

"We cannot vote for or against the 'toxicity of a drug.' How much a drug
impairs cell structure or chemical function is neither subject to nor
governed by congressional committee, public referendum, or the federal
Constitution.

"We cannot govern the electromagnetic behavior of chemical molecules by
popular vote, judicial proclamation, personal opinion or individual desire.

"Everyone is entitled to his own 'opinion.' He is not entitled to his own
'facts.' Chemically, marijuana is a far more dangerous drug than most of
the scientifically ignorant media and American consumers have been duped
into believing."

The harms and dangerous effects of marijuana are all that Mr. Biernson
stated ... and more!

Lea Palleria Cox, M.A.T.
President, Concerned Citizens for Drug Prevention, Inc.
Massachusetts Delegate, Drug Watch International