MORE POT DANGERS

Re: Marijuana Started His Death Spiral, letter to the editor, March 10.

I applaud this mother for sharing her story about how she links her son's
death to marijuana use. As a college counsellor, I am alarmed by the
growing use of pot among students as a form of self-medication and the
personal, social and health effects it has on their lives. Students in the
nursing program at my college are informing other students about these facts:

- - Marijuana smoke contains 50% more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than cigarettes;

- - Cannabis doubles or triples the risk of lung cancer, tongue cancer,
emphysema and chronic bronchitis;

- - Pot use is associated with increased incidence of mental illnesses such
as schizophrenia and depression;

- - Smoking three to four joints per day is equivalent to smoking 20 or more
cigarettes;

- - Heavy use of pot affects attention, memory and the ability to process
complex information for weeks to months after use.

- - Chronic use is associated with impotence.

Marijuana is hardly harmless. Those debating this issue have a
responsibility to appropriately address the real risks posed by this drug.

Shirley Porter, London, Ont.