POT'S PROBLEMS

Just a few comments on Garrick Abt's letter responding to my earlier
letter on marijuana. First a correction. In the previous letter I had
written that polling and studies had shown that 80 percent of those
seeking medical marijuana cards in the states allowing them were under
the age of 30 - not 8 percent. Secondly, as to Garrick's question have
I smoked marijuana, the answer is yes - when I was 19 years old and
had not educated myself on the subject. I also decided I did not need
to get high to live a productive and fruitful life. Again, everyone
should Google Dr. Drew Pinksy coupled with addiction and marijuana.
Along with killing of your brain cells, there are dozens of medical
hazards connected to this substance.

As to Mr. Abt's other points. I see parents smoking cigarettes in the
presence of their children all the time. Also, while thousands of
applications are now being made in Colorado for medical marijuana
prescriptions, there are only a handful of doctors willing to provide
them. The AMA does not back medical marijuana, nor do most physicians.
As for the Tashkin comments cited, there are numerous studies
completed and underway that refute the comment listed ... studies that
show marijuana may be linked to a variety of cancers. I would suggest
once again to those interested, go spend some time on the web and
learn the facts. I would also note we are now being flooded by folks
from California and other states with huge dollars in hands, ready to
buy up buildings where they can grow enormous amounts of marijuana
because our state did not limit the number of patients a service can
provide for. This is all being reported on weekly in the Denver Post.

Carol James

Snowmass Village