CALLING MARIJUANA A NATURAL DRUG IGNORES ALTERED STATES IT CAUSES

In response to the letter written by Savon Duchein ("Marijuana is a
natural substance, unlike meth, which is an epidemic," May 9): I
found it interesting the writer used a verse from the book of
Genesis, concerning what God gave us to eat in the beginning, in an
attempt to rationalize the use of pot in an unmonitored and
recreational manner.

Unfortunately for any unknowing reader, the writer forgot to add that
the effects of eating the herb and smoking it are different. And if
you are going to be so bold as to use God's word, then far be it for
the writer to not give appropriate warning that recreational
drunkenness is not what God had in mind for the herb, of course.
Getting stoned is just another way to describe a drunken state.

"Mary Jane" is more potent than any over-the-counter medication and
even some controlled substances in smaller doses. It is also
addictive and is as bad on your lungs as a cigarette when smoked. Pot
smokers can wreak havoc upon their families in other ways. Like any
other drug addicts, those who smoke pot lie, cover, betray and can
spend countless hours week after week neglecting and abandoning their
families in various heartbreaking ways, in preference of their drug
"Dr. Feelgood." And as far as it being a natural plant, so is the
opium poppy and the plant from which we obtain cocaine. What's your point?

- Jennifer A. Paton

Anchorage