MARIJUANA USE COULD LEAD TO CANCER

Re: Paul Rudan's article "An ounce of prevention (Mirror, Sept. 15).

It's to bad that he and a lot of others have not paid attention to
what has been said for years. The ounce of prevention is now turning
into the pound of cure. Studies (written up in the Readers Digest) have
shown that people using cannabis (marijuana) are six times more likely
to develop cancer.

Those who use both tobacco products as well as cannabis (marijuana)
are 36 times more likely to develop cancer.

A recent study with rats showed that cannabis (marijuana) had a direct
bearing on their actions. It effected contact between brain cells that
created trouble with their concentration, memory and general behaviour.

Many people will jump up and say, "yes but that was in rats." What
they don't understand is that many studies that are done on animals do
relate to humans.

There is a general feeling that if one ignores or trivializes the
problem it will go away. It is unfortunate that those who have not
been around others when they or using have no idea of the damage until
to late.

Those who believe that the governments are intelligent enough to deal
with the problem are doomed to paying hundreds of thousands of dollars
to deal with the problem.

Alcohol and drugs with our young are a problem that has to be dealt
with now. The catering to the people who are using and abusing is only
contributing to a worse problem in the very near future.

Lorne Scott