ALLERGIC REACTION TO POT SMOKE

Re: Cannabis use widespread, Letter, Feb. 28.

While I do not disagree that cannabis use is widespread, I challenge Alan
McKinlay to accompany me in my fight to live in the face of others' recreation.

I suffer from anaphylaxis to marijuana, the same condition that countless
Canadians suffer from, the most famous form being anaphylaxis to peanuts.

During walks up and down Yonge Street, I find myself in the grips of a
severe allergy attack and am forced to administer my epi-pen and call an
ambulance.

While McKinlay believes that no harm can come from his recreational use, I
wish he would talk to the wonderful, compassionate hospital room triage
nurses and doctors who shake their heads in disbelief as they treat me
while I shake, cry, wretch and suffer in pain.

I do not dispute that many wonderful, kind, caring people get high once in
a while. But it is illegal for a reason. The smoke is thick and permeates
everything around it in a way that cigarette smoke does not.

It is time for the negative effects of marijuana on those who do not
partake (I have never even seen it) to be brought to light.

If legalized, I face an uncertain future, as do countless citizens who have
never been exposed to the substance and could very well be as allergic to
it as I am.

I challenge McKinlay: the next time I collapse and end up in Toronto
General, come and sit with me in the emergency room for the long five-hour
wait.

See how I suffer, and then make your case for marijuana's benign glory.

Courtney Prizrenac, Burlington