'HARMLESSNESS' OF MARIJUANA A MYTH

A medical marijuana advocate was wrong to state in his letter last
Saturday that marijuana has no "serious side effects." This is myth
that marijuana advocates have perpetuated to gain acceptance of the
intoxicating weed.

The truth is that the medical community has long recognized
significant physical and psychological side effects with marijuana
use. The National Institutes of Health states that there is an
"increasing misperception that (cannabis) use poses low health risk."
Medical research shows that chronic users of cannabis may experience
difficulty in stopping or controlling its use and present withdrawal
symptoms after discontinuing use.

It is also proven to be harmful to memory and learning, and in some
people can lead to psychosis, anxiety, depression and thoughts of suicide.

Cannabis use can adversely affect normal adolescent development and is
associated with poor school performance, early problems with the law
and with the use of other drugs and alcohol. The use of a large amount
of cannabis in a short period of time may induce hallucinations,
delirium and other psychotic manifestations.

Research also shows that cannabis is associated with
cardio-respiratory problems, such as aggravation of asthma,
bronchitis, emphysema, hypertension and arrhythmias, immune
suppression and possibly cancer.

Cannabis is not a "safe drug" as proponents claim.

- - Steve Clark, Madison