BE HONEST ABOUT ABUSE OF MARIJUANA

EDITOR: There is often confusion between hemp and marijuana. Marijuana
and hemp are different varieties of the same species of plant,
cannabis sativa. Hemp is a grown for its seeds, oil and fiber to
create a variety of consumer products. Hemp does contain traces of the
drug THC, but not enough to get a person high.

Marijuana is the flowering tops and leaves of a specific variety of
hemp grown for its high THC content. This psychoactive drug affects
the users mind and behavior and has been linked to significant health,
safety, social, learning and behavioral problems.

I do not dispute that marijuana may have some positive medical usage.
However, we need to be honest about those who use marijuana to get
high, as opposed to use for medical conditions. We need to understand
that not all things natural or herbal are good for your body. We need
more scientific research.

I've heard, "I know someone who has been smoking marijuana for 20 or
more years, and they are doing OK." Today's pot is not the same. The
concentration of THC has increased 7 to 10 times from where it was
even a decade ago!

One legalization argument: "We need to legalize marijuana and use the
same laws enforced for alcohol: mandatory 21 years to use or
purchase." Is this working for alcohol? Studies have found that the
brain does not fully develop until around age 25, making our kids the
most vulnerable to its damaging effects. We need to protect our youth!

Sue Nowak,

prevention specialist, Marathon County AOD Partnership Council,

Wausau