NO TO MARIJUANA

Initiative 148 should not be considered by any Montana citizen. I feel
that its effects on society will only be negative. Scott Burns, a
deputy director for state and local affairs, disagrees with I-148
also. He feels that this will make marijuana more available to the
citizens of Montana including children. Some people even feel that the
legalization of marijuana is a "major step toward the drug's total
acceptance."

The drug itself contains more than 400 different chemical components.
The primary one is tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC. THC
impairs the immune system by decreasing the ability to fight disease
and cancer. Marijuana also destroys white blood cells and prolongs
illnesses.

In a recent book by Sara Macintosh, titled "Marijuana: Health Effects,"
it is stated that marijuana causes the heart rate to rise, in some
people by 50 percent. Five out of five political party candidates for
governor were opposed to the legalization of marijuana. Some felt that
the drug would be a gateway into other drugs. There are existing drugs
that can assist cancer patients just as well as marijuana can. Marinol,
for instance, is a legal drug that contains some of the same substances
that marijuana does without the harmful chemicals.

I have personally seen the negative effects of marijuana, both
short-term and long-term. I watched my best friend throw her life away
because of marijuana, as have many friends and families of users.

Judiciary Chairman Jim Shockley gives a valid point against legalizing
the drug. He speaks out in the Missoula newspaper, "There's no way to
regulate dosage and it would be really difficult to regulate the
lawful growing of it." It would be nearly impossible to enforce laws
to different people. Who would be in charge of separating the people
who need the drug versus those who do not qualify for it?

After knowing these facts, how could you vote yes on I-148 when the
effects are so clear? Legalizing it will only open up the floodgates
for more drug-related problems in Montana.

AnnaJean Smith

Bozeman