PROBLEM POT

I challenge your claim that using marijuana is "harmless" and a "victimless
crime" (NOW, March 10-16). Based on research, and especially on my many
experiences smoking it from age 14 to 26, marijuana is a very potent and
addictive drug that is detrimental to health in many ways, especially to
vulnerable young users whose undeveloped minds are most negatively affected
by it. I've seen elementary school kids smoking it in the parks before
school starts. Are you OK with this? How well do you think they function
while stoned in school at 9 am?

I've also known a number of habitual marijuana users in their 40s and 50s
who seem to be able to function but whose emotional maturity level remains
very stunted.

Chris Turner

Toronto