JUST CREATES MORE ADDICTS IF LEGAL

I must respond to the letter concerning marijuana, the last line
being "live and let live." (Thursday, "If unsure, be sure to get the
facts.") As someone who daily works with and counsels medical
marijuana users, drug addicts and alcoholics, I think that I have a
realistic understanding of this issue.

Addicts (including alcoholics), when trying to clean up, simply shift
their addictions from one drug to another. The end result is they are
still addicted, still dependent, and still unproductive members of
society. Legalizing marijuana will only make it easier for them to
stay high all day, every day. Marijuana is now two to three times
more potent than it was back in the '60s, and, thus, more addictive.
Drug and alcohol treatment centers are now treating people for
marijuana addiction. It is my observation, too, that most addicts got
to that point through the use of marijuana!

If the Legislature needs to deal with the marijuana issue, they
should not go an inch further until they clean up the mess they have
created with the medical marijuana law as it now stands. I believe
that further legalization will only create more problems for our country.

Ron Jinkens

Arlington