THERE IS A REASON POT IS CALLED 'DOPE'

Re: "Kids should learn the truth about marijuana," Letters, Nov. 7.

Yes, "licence holder Russell," kids should learn the truth - how pot
makes people lethargic, impairs motor skills, impairs memory, etc.
For most people the medical aspect is just a convenient excuse for
them to get high.

Marijuana is linked to many other heath concerns, but most pro pot
people downplay it of course, it is called denial.

As someone who has been there, done that and grew up, I speak from
experience. What so many people do not realize (deny) is that THC
(the active ingredient in marijuana) stays in your system for
approximately two weeks so continuous use means it is always in your
system. While it is there it does affect you even when you are not "stoned."

When I quit smoking many years ago it was like a fog lifted after THC
left my system. I felt better, was able to think more clearly and my
memory improved. I have talked to many other reformed smokers that
have had similar real life experiences.

Not that I condone drinking alcohol, but at least in the next day or
two it is out of your system and does not have lingering short-term affects.

I can recognize a regular pot smoker in less than 10 seconds after
meeting them due to the way they talk and act, yet I hear over and
over "it is only marijuana." There is a reason it is called dope.

As for legalizing/decriminalizing, one only has to look at Amsterdam
to see how that experiment failed. There is far more hard drug use in
that country after they relaxed controls.

Mary Jane is a gateway drug no matter what others try and make you believe.

Rob Halas

Surrey