POT JUST TEMPORARILY MASKS THE PROBLEM

Robert Galia (letters, Friday) states he feels it is his civic
responsibility to continue to characterize marijuana as a "health
enhancer." He has done that numerous times before without offering a
scintilla of scientific proof. When he has obtained written
endorsements from at least half of the physicians at the Mayo Clinic,
Cedars-Sinai, Johns Hopkins and/or the Stanford Medical Center, I
might begin to believe him. Until then, I feel compelled to make one
final definitive statement in opposition, as supported by the following.

I recall an old 1933-54 fictional radio drama called "The Shadow."
Main character Lamont Cranston, a prominent businessman, decided to
fight crime because he had the advantage of being able "to cloud
men's minds." He wasn't exactly invisible, but when they heard his
ominous voice, criminals trembled in fear and obeyed the someone who
didn't seem to be there.

Painkillers and marijuana are remarkably similar. They act upon the
brain to tell it, "It doesn't hurt," but when the "medicine" wears
off, the suffering resumes. Like alcohol, pot is becoming more
readily available and disturbingly overused.

Whether or not that comprises addiction, there are ample examples of
users whose personalities and mental acuity have been negatively
impacted. Galia might want to ask Tommy Chong what disease his toking
has cured.

- - Donald M. Polzin, Orland