CONTRARY TO POPULAR VIEWS, MARIJUANA USE IS DISRUPTIVE

TO THE EDITOR:

It seems that once again, the issue of marijuana use has come up, this time
in the Supreme Court.

What will the ruling be? What should the ruling be?

If you are one of the people who thinks that marijuana is harmless and
should be legalized, take a look at this:

A study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health found that almost
20 percent of college students regularly used marijuana in 2001.

This is unfortunate for several reasons, mainly because of the major health
risks associated with habitual use.

A typical marijuana joint contains four times as much tar as cigarettes and
more than 2,000 dangerous chemicals.

A chemical in marijuana called THC can cause strange and erratic behavior
and loss of short-term memory. This can lead to a disruptive, dangerous
society where innocent individuals are harmed because of the carelessness
of others. Furthermore, almost 140,000 people are admitted to hospitals
every year because of marijuana abuse. This proves that marijuana impairs
motor skills and judgment.

Lastly, don't bring up the argument that marijuana is a medicine. Several
cases have already been reported in which this privilege has been abused.

Furthermore, there are alternatives to marijuana that can produce the same
effects that reduce nausea and pain.

Let's face it: The negatives associated with legalizing marijuana are far
too great. Do you really want our nation to become an unpleasant, unhealthy
and disruptive society?

John Michalak

Freshman

Undecided