TRUTH ABOUT MARIJUANA

Common sense should tell us it's time to level with young people about the
real risks of marijuana and other drugs, but instead teens are getting more
overblown scare stories.

The article "Pot use 'no big deal' to teens" (Daily Herald, Dec. 10) is an
excellent example.

Whatever the credentials of Susan Dalterio, the professor who spoke about
marijuana at the College of DuPage, her assertions about the drug can be
categorized one of two ways: ridiculous or downright dangerous.

To produce a balanced story, the Daily Herald could have contacted any
number of respected researchers (Dr. Lester Grinspoon, Dr. John P. Morgan,
Dr. Lynn Zimmer, Dr. Andrew Weil, for a few examples) who dispute most of
Dalterio's claims.

Instead, highly suspect information was presented as hard fact.

Among the ridiculous ideas: In the 1960s marijuana had only "traces" of THC,
the agent that causes intoxication. Even if there is a bit of truth
submerged in this fallacy, several questions must be raised.

If marijuana was so mild in the past, why was it outlawed in the first
place?

Were prohibitionists able to magically predict that it would become stronger
in the future?

Or, could the very laws that are designed to stop marijuana use actually
encourage increases in potency?

While the potency issue and Dalterio's other notions were at best
inaccurate, some other "information" was just plain irresponsible. Why on
earth would the Daily Herald publish a method to mix marijuana with other
substances to make a supposedly more intoxicating, but definitely more
dangerous concoction? How is this information useful to anyone other than a
reckless kid looking for a stronger buzz?

I believe the instructions were included because marijuana is just not scary
enough by itself.

It does not kill. It does not produce physical addiction. Many sick people
use marijuana to treat a variety of maladies. Despite these truths, the
article reminds us that many journalists have adopted a simple rule during
America's extended period of reefer madness: If you can't say anything bad
about marijuana, don't say anything at all. A corollary to the rule dictates
that the more fear a story produces, the better. Some people may think this
approach will scare kids away from using marijuana, but if drug use surveys
are correct, the strategy is failing miserably. For decades the dangers of
marijuana have been exaggerated. Often dangers have been completely
fabricated. It's time to take a new approach, not based on fear, but based
on honesty.

Maybe if we try to show respect for the intelligence of young people, they
will show more respect for our warnings against drug use.

Stephen Young
Roselle

Checked-by: Rolf Ernst