IT'S CRAZY TO CLAIM POT CAUSES CRAZINESS

Re: 'Reefer Madness' close to truth worldwide evidence suggests, May
5. Dr. Robert Milin, a psychiatrist and substance-abuse expert, will
outline a theory that has gained much credence in the last decade --
that marijuana use increases by two-or threefold the risk of a
"psychotic outcome," such as schizophrenia.

I find it amusing that this easily debunked myth is still being
perpetuated. The "studies" that started this myth show the "link"
between marijuana and mental illness point out that no causation has
been found.

It is equally as likely -- the studies themselves show -- that the
mental illness brought on the pot use -- not vice versa.

But the main reason that this "pot causes craziness" myth doesn't
hold water is this: Pot use has quadrupled in the past 30 years, and
the potency of pot has increased significantly. Yet the rate of
schizophrenia has remained the same at about 1.1 per cent of the
population. Where is the influx of new pot-induced mental patients
clogging up our hospitals?

So pot is stronger, and four times as many people are using it, but
the per capita rate of mental illness has remained the same. (Shh,
don't tell anyone THAT part -- it undermines the agenda!)

Absurdly, the government will use this "science" and ignore the other
science showing how cannabis fights cancer ... in an effort to
further stigmatize and criminalize the use of this plant.

Readers can visit this website to see for themselves:
ww.webmd.com/cancer/news/20071226/pot-slows-cancer-in-test-tube .
Russell Barth, Ottawa

Educators for Sensible Drug Policy