WHY PUT PEOPLE AT RISK?

This letter is in response to the article titled, "Finance the
Bailout: Legalize Weed" from April 7, 2009. In the article it states
that "marijuana is non-addictive, according to health
experts." Legalizing marijuana would be a poor choice for this
nation considering the additional medical effects it can have on
people. Peoples' lives aren't worth the risk for the government to
finance the bailout.

Marijuana is an addictive drug in more ways than one. It has both a
physiological, psychological, and physical effect on people. By
definition an addiction is "the state of being enslaved to a habit or
practice or to something that is psychologically or physically
habit-forming" (Dictionary.com). Going by the definition alone,
marijuana can be deemed an addictive substance.

The main psychological effect marijuana has on people is euphoria, or
getting stoned. Although that is the most pronounced effect
marijuana has on people, there are other psychological effects that
can happen such as, "paranoia, short-term memory loss, anxiety,
depression, and a distorted sense of time. These are some serious
effects that last up to 24 hours after the drug is consumed whether
it is felt or not" (WebMD.com).

According to Dr. Cucci of The Ohio State Medical Center, "The main
ingredient in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, (THC) which
is absorbed within minutes after smoking a marijuana
cigarette." This ingredient causes serious health risks which
include; rapid heart rate, increased rate of breathing, slowed
reaction time, and increased blood pressure. These effects caused by
THC do subside within a few hours but, as stated before, even these
effects can linger for up to 24 hours, (webMD.com).

A person is considered to be physically addicted to a substance if
they experience withdrawal from not keeping the substance in their
system. These symptoms are very clear and go along with any type of
addiction, including marijuana. These symptoms include "aggression,
depressed mood, depressed appetite, and anxiety" (WebMD.com).
Symptoms from withdrawal from marijuana, unlike before, will continue
until more of that substance is put back into the system. Dr. Cucci
states, "If a person is trying to quit an addiction, withdrawal can
last up to a week."

Financing the bailout with marijuana would increase the use of this
substance which in turn will increase the addiction. For the
long-term use of marijuana, that would mean prolonged side effects
from the substance. This can lead to heart attacks, Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and Gum Disease just to name a few.
Our bodies can't handle the side effects caused by marijuana.
Depending on personal belief, we are only given one very short life,
why spend life with any of the effects that this substance can
cause? Life is worth more than that.

Kathy Wolfe