MARIJUANA USE HOLDS RISKS, SUCH AS DRUG ADDICTION

I take issue with physician Bob Blake when he says marijuana is a
safer alternative to morphine, OxyContin and other conventional
painkillers ("Medical pot sales booming," News, Wednesday).

I have struggled with an addiction to marijuana for the better part of
30 years. I reside in Maine, where a bill to revise our state's
medical marijuana law will be up for a vote in November. Blake's
comment is the kind of irresponsible one that leads poorly informed
voters to make bad decisions.

I have witnessed many families, in which the children spend the entire
day in front of the television because mommy and daddy are in a stoned
haze. Those who disagree with me say that's just a few and isn't a
reason to deprive everyone. The sad part is that those children will
likely become their parents with their children also sitting in front
of the television.

Gregory J. Bouchard

Bangor, Maine